Urban Land Institute

1
Urban Land Institute

• Update on Status of ULI Initiatives
• Presented to the Bridgeport City Council
• April 3, 2006

2
Background

• In January 2005, upon invitation by the
  Bridgeport Regional Business Council Mayor John
  Fabrizi, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) visited
  Bridgeport.
• At the Mayors request, the business community,
  under the leadership of Peter Brestovan Paul
  Timpanelli, raised 150,000 for this venture.

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Background

• January Spent 1 week evaluating economic
  development strategies, projects sites
• Interviewed over 255 individuals, reviewed Master
  Plan Comprehensive Economic Development
  Strategy
• Toured City
• April ULI developed detailed report with
  recommendations
• June-Oct. Over 75 Bridgeport Stakeholders
  evaluated ULIs recommendations in 3
  sub-committees.
• City Administrative Services
• Economic Development Delivery Support
• Real Estate

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Background

• On October 15, ULI sub-committees
  recommendations were shared with Bridgeport
  stakeholders at Bridgeport Community Summit.
• Nearly 700 city residents, business leaders,
  elected officials attended. 
• Sub-committee reports were revised incorporating
  community comments. Updated reports availableat
  www.bridgeport-econ.org.
• The following summarizes the status of ULI and
  sub-committee recommendations.

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I. Economic Development Service Delivery
Support
The City of Bridgeport faces a complex and
daunting set of obstacles regarding the way it
delivers economic development programs, provides
land useand supports economic growth
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I-1. Update Master Plan

• Updating the Citys Master Plan was a major ULI
  Sub-committee recommendation.
• State Funding estimated 252,000 for FY 2005
• 4/06 Targeted funding date requiring
• OPED draft of scope of services for RFP
• PZVC, ZBA, Economic Development Service
  Delivery Sub-committee will prepare draft and
  timeline
• Total Request 525,000 FY 06/07 (LOICP)
• Update Master Plan 2008-2018
• Create Planed Conservation Development
  2008-2018
• Create new Zoning Map Regulations
• Create Comprehensive Economic Development
  Strategy (CEDS)
• Create Comprehensive Housing Strategy
• Create Consolidated Plan (HUD Programs) 2008-2013

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I-2. Streamline Econo. Dev. Entities

• Completed merger of Bridgeport Neighborhood Fund
  Grow Bridgeport Fund into Community Capital
  Fund
• BEDAC/BERC restructuring to streamline
  public/private development efforts
• MOU to City Council late March/early April 06
• Operating Agreement to be prepared within 60 days
  of MOU execution
• Fundraising in progress

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I-3. Streamline Econ. Dev. Process

• One-stop permitting located at City Hall for all
  development related departments
• Implement On-line tracking software by 6/07
• Departmental relocations to be completed by end
  of 2006
• Camp, Dresser McGee hired to develop scope for
  RFP for e-govermnent process
• OPED/IT initiative implementing Bridgeport
  Enterprise Geographic System (B EGIS)
• City flown April 2005
• Operational internally by 12/06
• Operational through website by 12/07
• Capital Budget funding 1,100,000 FY 06/07

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I-4. Address Obstacles caused by Brownfields

• 5-hour workshop held January, 2006 at Peoples
  Bank w. DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy
• Developers, financial institutions, city
  business community
• Legislation pending for Brownfields Remediation
  funding at 15M level
• Central Grants has identified grant funding for
  Brownfields Coordinator position
• Will require additional FY 06/07 operating budget
  funding
• 20,00 available via Central Grants
• Congressman Shays announced additional Federal
  funds for Bridgeport Brownfield Revolving Loan
  fund.

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I-5. Update Zoning Map

• To be updated thru Master Planning Process

I-6. Improve City Partnership w. State

• One Agenda for the delegation presented by
  Mayor before legislative session

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I-7. Stop Sale of Tax Liens

• Sub-committee recommended bulk sales stop due
  to budget constraints sales will continue
• Sale of liens to responsible civic-minded
  buyers
• Will generate much needed revenue while tax base
  grows
• American Tax Funding sale netted 200,000 above
  face value
• Public auctions of properties implemented to
  raise revenues
• Bridgeport held first public auction February
  06 More scheduled
• Targeted tax lien sales to stimulate development
  interest
• Similar to Reddings Georgetown project
• Now under review

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I-8.Training Boards Commissions

• OPED sponsored training for PZ ZBA
• July August 2005
• Orientation program for new members
• By 06/06
• Additional Training planned for 2006-2007
• Operating Budget request FY 06/07 15,000

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I-9. Increase Minority, Women Local Business
Participation

• Disparity Study results announced 7/05
• Task force appointed and recommendations made
• Calendar of minority contracting initiatives
  events ongoing
• Construction Management Training withTurner
  Construction
• OSHA Construction Safety Training, 7/05

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I-9. Increase Minority, Women Local Business
Participation (cont.)

• Pre-bidders Conference with Urban Green Builders
  for WIMBEs
• Small Business Enterprise Ordinance implemented
• Work with local developers to unbundle contracts
• 500,000 needed to cover staff, salaries, staff
  development, contractor training, small business
  loans, marketing, project insurance/bonds

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II. City Administrative ServicesThe single
greatest challenge confronting the city is how to
regain the publics trust
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II-1. Strengthen Ethics Culture

• Ethics is the lynchpin for transforming city
• Mayor is committed to transparent honest
  government
• Strengthening ethics must coincide with programs,
  training, and processes that together cause a sea
  change
• Mayors establishment of High Ethical Standards
  Initiative Team is good first start
• Transparency, accountability accessibility must
  define how we do business

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II-1. Ethics - Recommendations

• Regular Ethics Training for City Employees
• Statement about ethical behavior training in
  Employee Manual on employment applications
• Annual ethical training seminars w. certificates
  of completion
• Ethics Commitment Pledge posted conspicuously
• Ethics Commitment Pledge to be signed filed
  annually by city employees including
• BOE Members
• All appointed Board Commission Members
• All Elected Officials

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II-1.Ethics Recommendations (Cont.)

• Establish Ethics Hot Line
• Establish position of Ethics Director
• Expand High Ethical Standards Initiative Team
• Include be co-chaired by private sector
  individuals (BRBC)
• Require new employees undergo Ethics Training
  before commencing employment
• Front line managers policy setters submit
  annual financial disclosure from
• Pending Council action
• All city initiatives include statement of ethical
  conduct

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II-1.Strengthen Ethics Culture Status

• Dr. Michael Rions Training Modules
• City Employees 11-12/05
• Elected Officials 2/06
• 6,000 cost for training
• City Employees/Developers in Good Standing
  Require Background Financial Disclosure Forms
• Introduce proposed new ordinance to City Council
  in 06
• New Purchasing Ordinance
• 2/06

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II-2. Improve Budget Process Recommendations

• Simplify City Budget Document
• Mayor should appoint Citizens Budget Improvement
  Committee
• Convene immediately
• Charge with improving document
• Include qualitative/quantitative information in
  Budget
• Establish Citizens Budget Review Committee
• Members appointed by Mayor, confirmed by Council
• Assist in preparation, review changes, assist
  Council to understand budget

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II-2. Improve Budget Process Recommendations
(cont.)

• Publish detailed budget in addition to summary
• Available in libraries, schools, community
  centers police precincts
• Recommended approved budgets be
• Posted on Citys Website
• Summarized in daily Newspaper
• Citys balance sheet and results of operations
  published on City website monthly

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II-2. Improve Budget Process Status

• Simplified budget as announced at State of the
  City address
• Budget 101 Seminar held 02/06.
• Additional sessions to be scheduled

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II-3. Improve Public Education
Improving public education is critical to the
success of Bridgeports economic development
initiatives

• Recommendation
• City hold Education Summit
• Status

• Summit has been scheduled for May 24, 2006

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II-4.Establish Arts Entertainment Commission

• Include Members from the Arts Community
• Annual Master Plan
• Envision Art and Entertainment as two
  circles that overlap.
• Develop Business Plan
• Operate with Organizational Structure
• Take Regional Approach to the Arts
• Provide Supportive Policies
• for existing businesses and future growth

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II-4.Establish Arts Entertainment Commission
Status

• Three Meetings Convened
• Applied for 501 (c) 3
• Solicited Funds for Arts Assessment
• Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation
• State Commission for Arts

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II-5. Create City Identity

• Existing BRBC Marketing Plan
• Three Prong Approach
• Target City influence makers
• Identify send speakers to civic organizations
• Hire marketing coordinator (2007)
• Harold Levine (city marketing consultant)
• Marketing a product before its ready does more
  damage than good
• Bridgeport has internal external markets

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II-5. Create City Identity

• Internal Audience
• Institute ethics training
• Institute hospitality cultural diversity
  training
• Leverage Anti-blight Campaign
• Promote reduced crime rate
• Create new website
• Support existing micro-grant programs

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II-5. Create City Identity

• External Audience (Road Show)
• Newsletter
• Tool of engagement
• What we are doing to address concerns
• Email, public distribution, sent to press
• Deliver Bridgeports message
• Neighborhoods Suburbs
• Enhance and expand annual feel good event
• Celebrate Bridgeport
• Barnum Festival
• Initial PR Program Costs 150,000-200,000

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II-5. Create City Identity Status

• Appointed Honorary Marketing Director
• Establish Marketing Committee
• Develop 1st Phase Marketing Plan
• Create Mayoral Newsletter
• To be sent to1,000 city influence makers
• Create on the road package
• Solicit 3 marketing proposals
• BRBC to raise marketing dollars

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III. Real Estate Market OpportunitiesA set of
guiding principals were established to evaluated
ULIs recommendations concerning specific sites
and projects. All real estate development
within the city should be evaluated with regard
to the ability to further the following
principals. This will generate the highest tax
revenues to support city operational expenses
stabilize mill rate
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III. Real Estate Guiding Principals

• Replace, over time, public housing projects with
  mixed income developments.
• Concentrating poverty is bad public policy
• Support scattered site and in-fill housing to
  create and support mixed-income neighborhoods.
• Emphasize residential, commercial and retail
  development over manufacturing
• Between 1990 2000 Bridgeport lost 106
  manufacturing firms and 5,400 manufacturing jobs
• City must look to other business sectors to
  provide employment tax revenue

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III. Real Estate Guiding Principals (cont.)

• Re-zone significant tracts of industrial land to
  support new residential, commercial, retail
  mixed-use development.
• Return underperforming land structures to
  productive use
• Waterfront is citys greatest asset
• Ideal for residential mixed use development
• Most of the citys waterfront (excluding
  parkland) is currently zoned for declining
  industrial base
• Support encourage high rise, high-end housing
  mixed income housing on the waterfront.
• City can significantly increase tax base by
  encouraging high-rise, high-end housing mixed
  income housing along waterfront
• Residential development can be catalyst to
  support new retail, office commercial
  development

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III. Real Estate Guiding Principals (cont.)

• Improve the image of the city along all major
  thorough fares (I-95, RT 8/25) and gateways.
• Discourage warehouse operations and other
  non-rateables from relocating within the city.
• Land used for econ. Dev. should create jobs tax
  revenues
• City should discourage low-rise, land intensive
  uses
• Warehouse operations yield little tax revenue
  few jobs
• Retail services needed within neighborhoods.
• Identify sites suitable for basic convenience
  shopping in citys inadequately served
  neighborhoods.

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III. Real Estate Guiding Principals (cont.)

• Preserve enhance citys rich architectural
  heritage.
• Citys architecture, historic buildings open
  space-tremendous asset for citys revitalization
• Urban design standards may need to be adopted
• Focus development on existing sites.
• Make Central Business District an exciting
  24-hour community.
• Master Plan should support development in CBD
  neighborhoods.
• Create vibrant CBD connected to neighborhoods via
  appealing functional streetscapes

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Lafayette Square
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• 70,000 sf Office Building short term priority
• Status
• Site to be developed for residential tower
• 60 Main Street
• Sub-committee recommendation
• Residential ancillary retail development
• Status
• Developer to build residential tower to be
  announced imminently

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Pequonnock Development Site
• 800-car parking requirement inhibits developing
  site
• Not in citys best interest to
• preserve site for at grade parking
• develop structured parking for 800 cars
• Over 1,000 spaces available in downtown 3-4
  blocks away
• Status Oh Hold pending conclusion of
  negotiations with HUD, CT Legal Services BHA

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Sikorsky Airport
• Sub-committee finds ULI recommendation to reuse
  airport as office park unfeasible
• City/Airport Commission conduct study to
  determine opportunity to increase corporate
  commercial service
• Status
• Developer selected to build new aircraft/support
  facilities
• City and Stratford negotiating to address runway
  safety concerns

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Father Panik
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• Consider placing school on land closest to
  Railroad Residential to south
• Only if does not interfere with construction
  schedule
• Status
• School to be located on northern portion of site.
• Construction must start by June, 2006
• Occupancy scheduled August 2008

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Container Barge Service
• 500,000 SF Warehouse
• Proposed roll-on/roll-off freight operation at
  CarTech
• Requires 15-20 acres
• Sub-committee believes both uses to be tremendous
  underutilization of land.
• Status
• Port Authority is proceeding with 3-year
  demonstration program funded by CT DOT

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Congress Plaza Urban Renewal Area
• Sub-committee recommendation
• Do not RFP area without understanding of what
  would like to see happen in this area of CBD
• Market study needed to assess potential
• Status
• Downtown Plan Action Strategy plus Transit
  Oriented Development overlay to be completed in
  2006
• Consultants retained
• Work to begin April 2006
• RFP/RFQ of city land to be issued by BERC in late
  2006

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Intermodal Center
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• Urge city to examine fast-tracking project
• Status
• Bus Terminal Dual Walkways
• construction begun March 2006 Opening December
  2006
• Expanded Commuter garage
• Design/build RFP Mid. 2006 Opening 2007
• New Ferry Terminal Garage
• construction start 2006 pending resolution of
  litigation between Bridgeport Port Authority
  Bridgeport/Port Jeff Ferry Company
• New/Upgraded Train Station
• Economic Development Phase 2007-2008

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Site Specific Recommendations

• High Speed Ferry
• Subcommittee recommended a site proximate to
  downtown intermodal center rather than proposed
  location on former Remington Arms site
• Other Land in South End
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• South End particularly waterfront has strong
  potential for high-rise luxury mixed income
  residential development.
• City rezone all industrial land on both sides of
  Barnum Dyke to accommodate high-rise residential
  development
• Rezoning would allow current industrial users to
  stay
• Would signal market that land is to be
  repositioned to higher use

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Site Specific Recommendations

• SteelPoint
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• Examine potential for high-intensity combination
• Large-format retail garage parking, destination
  retail
• Status
• Developer implementing ULI recommendations for
  24/7 destination community incorporating
  mixed-use residential/retail/commercial/entertainm
  ent with transit street-car feature.
• Infrastructure construction start scheduled for
  fall 2006
• Retail phase north of Stratford Avenue scheduled
  to commence by second quarter 2007.

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Site Specific Recommendations

• Seaview Avenue Corridor Enhancements
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• Motivation for corridors construction must not
  be for trucks supporting heavy industry
• Motivation should be to reduce traffic congestion
  provide access for support vehicles
• Design should not be 4-lane limited access
• Design as boulevard to encourage redevelopment
• Stimulate redevelopment of waterfront (Yellow
  Mill Pond)
• Status
• Original design in progress.
• East End NRZ backs ULI recommendations

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Site Specific Recommendations

• University of Bridgeport
• Sub-committee found ULI incorrectly understood
  extent of land available at UB
• Status
• UB has only 2 small sites available for
  development
• one will be used for school
• Pleasure Beach
• ULI/Sub-committee recommendation
• Significant costs to replace burned bridge
• Consider providing ferry service to Pleasure
  Beach
• Status
• Pending State Bond Commission authorization of
  resources to initiate operation of analysis and
  develop business plan

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Site Specific Recommendations

• New City School Sites
• Neighborhoods surrounding schools should be
  opportunities for new residential, retail
  commercial development
• Status
• 5 new schools in various stages of design
  construction
• Swing School space at UB under design
• 2 new Regional magnet schools awaiting State
  decision
• 5 Neighborhood Revitalization Plans in various
  stages of development for Planning Zoning
  Commission and City Council action

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In Conclusion

• Many thanks to the members of the ULI Steering
  Committee, the 75 members of the sub-committees,
  the 225 people interviewed by the ULI and the 750
  that attended the Bridgeport Community Summit.
• The Original ULI Report the 3 Sub-committee
  Reports are available at www.bridgeport-econ.org/U
  LI