Bridgeport Township Board Meeting November 6th, 2024

 On the Agenda:
Adoption of Agenda begins at 0:54
Approval of Minutes - October 1st, 2024 Regular Meeting begins at 1:17
Special Orders - 
1.  Public Hearing for 2025 General Fund Budget begins at 1:52
Public Comments begin at 2:32
Unfinished Business - 
1.  Resolution R24-20 General Fund Budget & Appropriation Act for FY2025 begins at 13:13
New Business - 
1.  2025 Fiscal Year Budgets begins at 19:18
2.  Resolution R24-21 Fort Road Trail Loop Development begins at 38:33
3.  Resolution R24-22 Police Protection Public Safety Resolution begins at 42:37
4.   Resolution R24-23 Healthcare Employer/Employee begins at 44:37
5.   Resolution R24-24 Mid Michigan Waste Authority Appointment Trustee & Alternate begins at 46:52
6.   Streetlight Assessment begins at 47:42
7.   Firearm Disposal begins at 48:25
8.   Brush Contract begins at 49:29
9.   MSHDA 3rd Party Administrator begins at 51:06
10.  123, Net Metro Act Permit Application begins at 1:06:51
Accounts Payable Checks 73078 through 73165  &641,182.10 begins at 1:07:48
Police Department Report begins at 1:08:24
Fire Department Report begins at 1:09:48
Manager's Report begins at  1:12:03
Board Member Comments begin at 1:14:57

I have been thinking long and hard about what I was going to say about this meeting and I still don't know so I guess we will find out as I type.  LOL :-)

First -  Once again Bridgeport residents don't surprise me.  Major increase of views of this video over the normal sad amount of views.  I would like to think it is because residents are interested in the meeting content.  But with years of experience here, I do believe it is just because there was some yelling and drama.  Drama always brings in views, kind of like vultures circling around a dead carcass.

Second - Lets talk about Roger, and Roger and the brush contract. Roger is a local fixture.  I have seen and heard some true nonsense come from him over the years, sadly some of the best hasn't been captured on video.  I could make money on those videos.  So on to the brush contract.  I believe it is every two years they put out the notice for bids for the contract to pickup the brush in our township.  This is a free service to the residents.  Roger had that contract multiple times in the past.  It was several years ago that Roger had won the contract again, but just 2 weeks I believe before the pickup service was supposed to start Roger did make a scene I heard in a board meeting and tore up the contract right there.  That left the township with no time to put out the request for bids from companies so the township had to hire whatever company could come in at the last minute and take over the service.  Of course the township had to pay a higher price for the service .  Then I believe that Roger was complaining about the township "costing the residents because of the higher price".  It wasn't the township that cost the residents, it was Roger because of the games he played.  He didn't screw the township board members, he screwed the residents.  Some people might suspect he did it all intentionally.  So for the 2025 pickup year the township put out the notice for bids for the service.  I got the notice in my email from the township, saw it on the website.  When I saw the notice I wondered "is Roger going to apply", 🙄.  Roger claims he was unaware of the bid notice and wanted to put in his bid at the last minute at the meeting.  They said the bids had already been opened and the decision made so he was too late.  The township verified that he did receive the email with the notice.  If Roger had won the contract 3 times in the past I would think he would be aware of the time frame that this process is done in.  As a business owner I would think keeping on top of these things would be your priority.  Just more drama.  In my view once you screw over a customer, that customer should never allow you back to possibly screw them over again. 

Third - The Great Lakes Discovery Center and the Fort Road Trail Loop.  They are separate items but they do tie together.  I have a lot to say but will probably leave most for later.  Lets start with the Discovery Center.  The township spent years working on a land swap with the federal government to swap the two sections of land between Fayette/Fort Rd and I-75.  The township owned the section that borders Fayette/Fort Rd.  The section behind the truck stop and Cracker Barrel was owned by a private citizen begore it was sold to the federal government.  The township swapped these two sections and now owned the section behind Cracker Barrel.  The purpose was supposed to be to build the Great Lakes Discovery Center there and it would be a part of the refuge.  I will never forget the DDA Board meeting when the paperwork was final and the presentation was made.  Sadly the township also announced at that meeting that the Great Lakes Discovery Center was off the table and that land would be set for sale for commercial property development.  It was a shocking day and I have never gotten over it.  Any moron knows that land is no good for commercial development, and to even try would damage the already damaged wetlands that are in these areas.  So now years later, that land is still sitting there and nothing is being done with it. Thankfully it hasn't been harmed any more than it already is.  So it is possible some investors want to come in and develop the Great Lakes Discovery Center.  That would be fantastic.  Will have to hear the details though because the devil is always in the details.  I trust No One especially when it comes to these sections of land. The former private owner of the township section went in and put in culverts and drainage ditches that damaged the land and wetlands.  That damage needs to be repaired on that section of land.  

Now onto the Fort Road Trail Loop.  But first we have to go back decades, back to when Bridgeport somehow got permission from the Army Corp of Engineers to dig that stupid canal along Fayette/Fort Road from the river to the once beautiful pond in Davis Park.  I believe it was around the same time period that the road needed repairs from flooding and when they did that they took out one of the two culverts that drained water from the other side of the road into the pond in Davis Park.  Anyone ever wonder why there are all those dead trees on the other side of the road?  Because after removing one culvert and the stupid canal, the flow of the river and the natural flow of water through the wetland area was changed, totally screwed up.  Those trees are dead from the flooding on the other side of the road and the pond is destroyed due the culvert and road work and the canal.  That pond never used to dry up and the fishing there and in the river was fantastic.  Not anymore.   Why does anyone think the big sandbar is forming in the river in front of the canal by the bridge?  Basically the river is trying to repair itself.  That manmade disaster of a canal is dry 11 months out of the year, the rest of the time it is flooded or just sitting there with a few inches of nasty stagnant water in it.  No one in Bridgeport wants to  repair the damage they caused by digging that stupid canal and other issues, no one cares about it.  Hey the Parks guy has his pretend island so that is all that is important.  It was never a island, it will never be a island.  It was a small finger of land that was between the once beautiful river and the once beautiful pond.  Davis Park Island, a total fantasy and a sad and destructive fantasy.  It breaks my heart every time I go there and look at the damage, it breaks my heart that no one cares and no one will ever repair the damage. It is such an ugly nasty mess now.  I am all for the Fort Road Trail Loop.  I have been walking that path myself for years and years, without a paved trail.  I just wish that they would first restore the land and river to its natural state and its natural beauty before they build the loop trail.  Maybe I can lead tours on their new path and point out all the damage and tell them tales of how beautiful it used to be years and years ago.

Final Thoughts -  

  I would like to say Thank You to Augie and Jimmy for their years of service to our township and for some years of memories, some good and some not so good, even though they really all turned out to be good, and an educating and fun experience for me.

  And to you residents that were posting online that Augie should not be allowed to even attend meetings in the future, I think one person even thought they should start a petition to stop him from being able to attend meetings in the future, Sorry but he will be attending meetings as is his right to do so, where as most of you can't ever be bothered to attend or really contribute anything to our community.

  The MSHDA grants.  I don't know much about it except it is grant money that will be available to repair Bridgeport resident's homes.  The process is just beginning.  When it is up and running then residents will be able to apply and if they meet the qualifications they will get the help.  Will share more information when it is available.  Keep and eye out on their township emails and website also for any updates.

  Maybe it would be better for one person to be doing the Parks and Recreation department job and a another person doing the DDA Coordinators job.  I guess it saves money having one person do both jobs but common sense says having two people for the two jobs might be more effective.  And probably less stressful for the people.

  

  

 

DDA Informational Meeting August 27th, 2019

On the agenda:
Review of Projects Completed and On-going
1. Beautification Sub Committee (Flowers) begins at 0:15
2. Dixie Hwy. Resurfacing Phase 1 begins at 2:18
3. Cass River Trailhead Park begins at 5:53
4. 4418 Williamson begins at 9:40
5. Update of DDA Board Bylaws begins at 11:15
Projects Proposed for 2020
1. Dixie Hwy. Resurfacing Project Phase 2 begins at 12:05
2. Proposed Parking Area next to Post Office begins at 12:16
3. Possible Business Grant Program begins at 15:48
Public Input begins at 16:52
© 2019 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

This was an informal and very informational meeting.  They will be holding another informational meeting later this year, possibly in November.  There were some business and residential people at the meeting that came and asked questions and provided input.  It would be nice to see all the seats full at the next meeting.  The items discussed involve our community and this is the communities chance to ask questions and provide input.  You can always contact anyone in the township anytime you have a question, concern, or suggestions; but this is also a very nice platform for doing it all at one time with more people and the information is shared with a larger audience.

One of the items discussed was the resurfacing of the Dixie Highway from I-75 to Airport.  I will say I think it is very nice and am glad it is done now.  It is really nice to drive on and looks fantastic!  They also discussed the future plans for the resurfacing to be done next year which will be from Airport to Junction, and maybe sometime in the future it would extend farther on Dixie to the Bridgeport Township boundary line it sounds like.  That would be fantastic!!  Especially if it was also done all the way into Birch Run.  It would be lovely to drive that section of Dixie without it pounding on your back & wearing out your vehicle.

Another item that would probably interest residents is the discussion of putting in a parking lot next to the post office.  I know it is a nightmare there for residents trying to get to the post office or other businesses there.  I don’t really have an opinion because I can see, and argue, both sides of the debate on this issue.  If it happens then there will be some happy residents.

Some of the other items discussed were the possible grant program to help local businesses, updates on the property and some possible future plans for the land next to the park area by the historical bridge, updates on the old hotel behind Night Flight Fireworks, Candlelite, and the gas station by Damores toward BV, the portable speed limit signs around Bridgeport.  Please take the time and listen to the meeting, and hopefully more residents will show up at the next meeting.

History Of State Street Bridge And Other Bridges From 1847 To 1906

One reference I can find to a bridge being built at the site, or near the site, of the current State Street bridge is from the book History Of Bridgeport, Saginaw County, Michigan by T.J. Pollen first published in 1912, then reprinted by The Saginaw Genealogical Society in 1978:
     "By an act of the Supervisors of January 6, 1847, a bridge was ordered to be built at Bridgeport and a contract was made with Townsend North to build said bridge for $3,750, to be paid in state improvement lands.   These lands were set aside by the first state constitution and defined and specified by Michigan's first State Governor, Stevens T. Mason"..... "The bridge was located back of the gristmill  or near where the present iron bridge is.  It was accepted January 5, 1848 and Mr. North was given title to sections, 17, 18, 19 and 20 and part of section 30, in town 12 north, range 8 east.  All these lands were valued at $1.25 an acre."
Below are links to some old plat maps of downtown Bridgeport and Bridgeport Township.  The 1877 maps show no bridge in the State Street area, but there does appear to be one on Fayette St. and another on the Dixie Highway towards Birch Run.  It sounds like the bridge referenced in the History of Bridgeport may be the bridge on Dixie Hwy towards Frankenmuth / Birch Run?
From 1877:
Downtown Bridgeport - http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/22866/Bridgeport/Saginaw+County+1877/Michigan/
Bridgeport Township - http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/22865/Bridgeport+Township/Saginaw+County+1877/Michigan/

From 1896, which does now show a bridge at State Street. The bridge on Fayette St. does not appear any longer on this map. - http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/1599801/Bridgeport+Township++Cass+Bridge/Saginaw+County+1896/Michigan/

On the Wikipedia page for the State Street Bridge they state "A series of bridges crossing the Cass River were constructed near what is now Bridgeport, starting in about 1841 with a crossing on the federal turnpike a few miles southeast. By the 1870s, a bridge was constructed about a half-mile south of the current location. In about 1886, a timber bridge was constructed at the current location and the road rerouted along the west side of the river to connect to the site of the previous bridge. However, by the turn of the century this timber bridge had deteriorated. In 1906, a portion of the bridge was destroyed by floating debris, and subsequent inspection revealed that the support pilings were rotted through. The township approved a bond issue, and later that year hired the Joliet Bridge and Iron Company to construct a new bridge"
This version of the history of bridges in Bridgeport does line up with the plat maps and more of the history from the T.J. Pollen book:
     "The village was first called "The Bend of the Cass", or "Cass Bend" owing to the angle of the river at this point, while the place now called "Cass Bridge" was the original Bridgeport, owing to the first bridge built there on the main trail from Flint." The Cass Bridge area was the area towards Frankenmuth / Birch Run by Riverview.  This area was referred to in the newspapers as "Cass Bridge" from the 1800's to the early 1900's.

On the 1916 plat maps for downtown Bridgeport and Bridgeport Township, the bridge at Fayette St. is no longer there.  I couldn't find any history on it to know when it disappeared and I can't remember when it was finally rebuilt.  The Fayette St. bridge has been there since I was a child but I know people older than me said that the State St. bridge was the only way to cross the river here in town.
Downtown Bridgeport
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/22086/Bridgeport/Saginaw+County+1916/Michigan/
Bridgeport Township
http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/22085/Bridgeport+Township/Saginaw+County+1916/Michigan/

There was one other bridge in the township that showed up in the newspapers.  It was called the "Town Line Bridge" or the "Cass River Bridge" over Town Line Rd.  It was between Bridgeport and Spaulding Townships.  In 1885 the Saginaw News was calling the battle surrendering that bridge  "The Bridge War".  The bridge was built with the understanding that Bridgeport and Spaulding would share in the cost of building and the maintenance of the bridge.  By 1885 the bridge had fallen into disrepair and Spaulding was fighting to get Bridgeport to honor their financial commitment, saying that Bridgeport had not provided any funds for the bridge since it was first built.  It was a battle in the newspapers, the Board of Supervisors and possibly the courts.  Eventually it looks like Bridgeport and Spaulding were paying equal shares for the maintenance of the bridge.

Beginning Of The New Iron State Street Bridge In 1906

In The Saginaw Evening News from January 22, 1906 is a story about the unseasonably warm weather and storms, and the damage it caused to the State Street Bridge:

 ICE MOVED OUT OF CASS RIVER

BRIDGE PUT OUT OF COMMISSION - NOVELTY OF THUNDER STORM GIVEN IN JANUARY      
     "Early in the day reports were received from Frankenmuth and Bridgeport that the ice had all moved out of the Cass during the night, and the shove had so damaged the bridge at Bridgeport that it became necessary to close it in the interests of public safety.  There was also reported an immense volume of water in the river, which was hourly swelling and growing to flood proportions, so that colder weather was looked forward to with much anxiety."
The story told of severe thunder and lightening storms with temperatures in the 60's.  The ice was also broken up in the Saginaw River but could not move out because it was blocked by the ice in the Saginaw Bay.

There were more stories in The Saginaw Evening News on January 23, 1906 of the damage caused by the storms and ice movement.  Bridges were damaged or totally taken out in Saginaw and all through Saginaw County.  Houseboats on the Saginaw River were smashed to pieces.  The State Street Bridge here in Bridgeport was finished off now:

Bridgeport Bridge Gone 

     "Some time during the night a tree on its way down assisted the ice and knocked out the center span of the bridge over the Cass River at Bridgeport.  The structure was a frame one and had been condemned so the loss will not be great."

From The Saginaw Evening News of January 25, 1906:

TO HOLD MASS MEETING 

Bridgeport Will Take Up Question of Bridge at That Place Tonight.

     "A number of representative residents of Bridgeport were in the city Thursday morning in consultation with R.A. Raymond, resident agent for Joliet Bridge Company, as to details in connection with a proposition to build a new bridge across the Cass, to replace the wooden structure put out of commission by the high water which came with the early part of the week.  There is to be a mass meeting at Bridgeport Thursday night to consider the whole matter, and the township authorities are informing themselves as far as they possibly can in advance."

 From the Saginaw Courier Herald of February 20, 1906 is the petition made on January 29, 1906 to the Saginaw County Board of Supervisors: 

     "Gentlemen - Your petitioners, the township board of the township of Bridgeport and the highway commissioner of said township respectfully represent to your Honorable Board that in their opinion it is necessary to build a bridge in said township of Bridgeport over the Cass river on the line of highway, known as State street, where said highway crosses said river.  Said wooden bridge at said point has been damaged by high water and has been built for such a length of time that it has decayed and is rotten.  State street being one of the main thoroughfares of said township, it is absolutely necessary to rebuild the bridge at said point, and your petitioners believe that it is necessary to build an iron bridge, as it will  be cheaper in the long run for said township.  That pursuant to section 4131 of the compiled laws of the State of Michigan, 1897, the amount of money that can be raised is but one-half of one per cent of the assessed valuation of the real and personal estate of the township as it appears by the last assessment roll, which is $800.00?, which would only be $4,000 that could be raised for the purpose of building said bridge, and in the opinion of your petitioners said bridge at said point will cost between $7,000 and $9,000.  In the opinion of your petitioners it is necessary that your Honorable Body authorize the township of Bridgeport, by the vote of the electors of said township, to borrow or raise by tax upon said township a sum of money not exceeding $10,000 to build a bridge over the Cass river on the line of highway known as State street, where said highway crosses the river, pursuant to subdivision 15 of section 11 of Act No. 98 of the Public Acts of 1905 of the State of Michigan.  And your petitioners will every pray."

John Hummel, Supervisor

John Gatz, Justice

Ira E. Green, Justice

Bert G. Atherton, Clerk

Township Board of Bridgeport,

Silas Cook, Highway Commissioner 

The Saginaw County Board of Supervisors approved their request and granted them the right to borrow $8,000 that was to be repaid at the rate of $1,000 per year from 1908 through 1915.  The money was to be assessed and collected in the same manner as other taxes for the township.

Election results from Saginaw County in the Saginaw Courier Herald on April 3, 1906 for Bridgeport showed that the proposition for a new bridge passed by a majority of 110 votes.   

The New State Street Bridge Finally Opens

From the Saginaw Evening News of December 15, 1906 is this mention of the new iron bridge:

     "Hiram Green, the oldest settler in the township of Bridgeport (with the exception of L. Hodgman) has the honor of being the first to drive across the new span erected by the Joliet Bridge & Iron Co. across the Cass river at Bridgeport."

These two sites have some history and images of the State Street Bridge:

https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=truss/state/

https://bridgehunter.com/mi/saginaw/bridgeport/

Bridgeport Township DDA Meeting May 8th, 2019

Today's meeting was more of an informational meeting since they did not have a quorum present.  The most interesting information from the meeting was the announcement of a ribbon cutting event for the Cass River Trailhead on May 15th, 2019 at 12:00pm.  That is all the information I have about the event other than it sounds like it might be by invitation only?  There is no information on the township's website, on the parks & recreation Facebook page.  Nothing in the emails from the township.  I guess if it was open to the public they would put out information for the public.
** Update: Found the information in the Birch Run Herald this week! The ceremony will be held at the trailhead area by the historic bridge, 4422 Williamson Rd. The public is invited to the ceremony and luncheon.  You need to register by Monday, May 13th by calling the chamber office at (989) 624-9193.
They also discuss the problem with members not being present for the meetings and that there may be openings on the DDA board in the future.

On the agenda:
Public Comments begins at 2:37
New Business -
1. Beautification Committee Report begins at 4:06
2. Ribbon Cutting For Cass River Trailhead begins at 5:17
Old Business -
1. DDA By Laws begins at 6:25
DDA Coordinator Report begins at 7:06
DDA Member Comments begins at 9:10
© 2019 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Bridgeport Township DDA Meeting January 10th, 2018

On the agenda:
Election of Officers begins at 0:45
Old Business -
- Dixie Highway Road Project begins at 3:57
- Rolling Hills Property begins at 5:30
- Cass River Trail Head Update begins at 6:35
- Beautification Sub-Committee Update begins at 9:27
- Non-Motorized Trail Head begins at 13:57
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 19:35
DDA Member Comments begin at 25:59
© 2018 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

I have missed so many of the township and school board meetings over the past 9 months or so and I think it is the DDA meetings I have missed attending the most. I did also miss attending the Township Trustee meetings.   Maybe because there are always so many good and positive things going on in this township and they are just a fun bunch of people.

First I would like to say Congratulations to Roberta Placher, Jim Baker and  Jeff McNalley on your election!

Now on to one of the good exciting things going on in our township.  The Dixie Highway Road Project.  I am going to love this after it is done!!  This is a project that has been in the works for quite awhile now.  I see that the Township Trustee board approved a resolution back in December 2016 in support of the project.  I found some DDA Board meeting minutes from September 2017 where they gave an update on this project.  I will include some screen shots from the minutes.  I don't know who originally started this plan, but Hats Off to you and everyone else that has been involved in all the planning and hard work put into it!!  I plan on attending all the future Trustee and DDA meetings so will keep posting updates for this.  Just click on the photos to see the larger version --

 

 

This is also a good time to remind Bridgeport residents that you can go to the Township Government website and find meeting agendas and minutes, news updates etc...  You can also sign up for the "constant contact" email and you will receive all the meeting agendas, news etc... right to your email inbox.  https://www.bridgeportmi.org/

Next they talked about the property that has been donated by John & Betty Hoffman on Dixie Highway out by Junction Rd.  John Hoffman has done so much for this community, his is a legacy that will live on for a long time.  This property is in the Rolling Hills business area and will hopefully be used in the future for a community sports complex. Good plans for the future of our community.

Another project I am excited about is the restoration of the old Bridgeport Oil & Gas Station located in front of the Historic Bridge.  It is called the Cass River Trail Head project and will include the restored station and a park area.  You can follow updates on the station restoration and some history of the station on this Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/SaveBridgeportOilandGas/

There are more updates in this meeting and in the DDA Coordinators report. 

Looking forward to 2018 in Bridgeport!!

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting August 10th, 2016

On the agenda:
New Business -
- 2017 Budget begins at 1:59
Old Business -
- North Gateway update begins at 4:35
- Cass River Trail Head update begins at 7:16
- Davis Park Canoe Launch update begins at 8:50
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 11:14
DDA Member Comments begin at 19:39
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Wednesday's meeting was short, mostly just setting future meetings and updates on some of the current projects in the works here in our beautiful little township.  I am looking forward to all 3 of these projects.  They will bring so much to our community! I have watched more and more people using the historic bridge and the trails since it first opened.  It is great to see people having their wedding, prom, family gathering photos being taken on the bridge.  You see whole families out walking the trails or just enjoying the views from the bridge.  When the Cass River Trail Head project finally gets done, I believe that will draw even more people here to enjoy the beauty of our Cass River.  The canoe/kayak launch I suspect will be one of our most popular attractions!  The landscaping project on the Dixie toward Buena Vista is moving along.  They do have the Bridgeport rock in place now there and the landscaping will follow.  I have been wanting to get out for days to photograph the rock and the progress in Davis Park but have not been able to get out there. You can follow the Davis Park project progression on the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Facebook page.  They keep sharing photos of the progress and it is looking good.  https://www.facebook.com/BridgeportPR

There is always a lot of good information in the DDA Coordinators Report and the board member comment period.  One of the things they talked about was that Jill Thieme from the Cass River Yacht Club provided the lunches that day.  I got lucky and got one of those lunches and wrote a little review here on the blog about it.  Summary - It Was Outstanding!!  I think that the Cass River Yacht Club is Bridgeport's hidden little gem.  The best food in town and not enough people know about it.  If you haven't tried it, you need to!  If you are one of the many that just rave about her food - Help Spread The Word!!

The next board meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting March 9th, 2016

On the agenda:
Old Business -
- Great Lakes Discovery Center Update begins at 3:56
- North Gateway Update begins at 9:09
- Cass River Trail Head Update begins at 11:17
- Saginaw Future Update begins at 14:14
- Inspection Of Bridge Maintenance Update begins at 14:58
DDA Coordinators Report begins at 19:01
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting February 24th, 2016

On the agenda:
Public Comments begin at 2:15
New Business -
- Beautification 2016 begins at 5:52
- Inspection of Bridge Maintenance begins at 8:08
- Saginaw Future begins at 10:37
Old Business -
- Great Lakes Discovery Center Update begins at 12:35
- North Gateway Update begins at 15:47
- Cass River Trail Head Update begins at 18:35
- a. Funding Update begins at 25:17
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 27:05
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Mr. Larry Ford from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce spoke during the public comment period.  He gave a update on the success of the Chamber's "Best Of Awards" dinner and award ceremony.  It was a fantastic evening and Joel Fieck did a great job as the emcee for the awards ceremony.
The DDA Coordinator and others had lots of positive updates about things going on in Bridgeport right now.  2016 is looking to be a very beautiful and exciting year here in Bridgeport.
Mr. John Hoffman was recognized at the meeting.  He and his wife Betty were the winners of the Bridgeport "Citizen Of The Year" award.  There was a small luncheon after the meeting.  I want to mention the Chocolate Fudge cake they had from Kroger's here in Bridgeport.  For my fellow chocolate lovers - be sure to try it!
The DDA meeting was rescheduled from it's usual time earlier this month because DDA Coordinator Steve Dobis was in Florida for several weeks.  He just came back here to Michigan earlier this week I believe.  I think Mother Nature just wanted to remind Mr. Dobis of what Michigan can be like in the winter.  So if anyone is upset with this severe winter storm we are having right now, you can blame it on Mr. Dobis.  

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting March 3rd, 2015

On tonight's agenda:
Public Comment begins at 2:52 in the video
Unfinished Business -
- Fire Department Station Upgrades begins at 4:15
New Business -
- Little Free Library - Carmen Sawshuk begins at 7:02
- Hoffman Canoe Launch - seeking public input begins at 15:50
- R15-2 DNR Trust Fund Grant canoe/kayak launch Hoffman property begins at 17:48
- Bridgeport Cass River trail head - seeking public input begins at 18:38
- R15-3 DNR Trust Fund Grant Bridgeport Cass River trail head property begins at 19:40
- Oath of office for two New Police Officers begins at 20:48
- Building Department Truck purchase begins at 29:10
- Police Department Tahoe purchase begins at 30:31
- Fire Department Hazardous materials response technology begins at 34:20
- Police Department & Governmental Center Grant for AED Machines begins at 37:24
- Commitment of Fund Balance Funds begins at 39:13
Board Comments begins at 41:29

Welcome to Bridgeport's two new police officers!  And again Thank You to the voters that approved the assessment so they could be hired.
I think the Little Free Library will be a nice thing to have here in downtown Bridgeport.  They are seeking public input for the Hoffman property canoe launch, that property is located on the Dixie where it crosses the Cass River. They are also seeking public input for the property where the former Bridgeport Oil and Gas station was located next to the historic State St. Bridge.  It would be nice if community members would get involved in these projects now and help provide input.

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting February 25th, 2015

On the agenda:
New Business -
- Mike Szuhkent from the Birch Run Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce begins at 3:00 in the video.
- Business Development.Marketing begins at 13:50
Old Business -
- Canoe Launch and walking trail discussion begins at 17:45
- Great Lakes Discovery Center begins at 28:12
- Beautification begins at 30:57
- Review of 4422 Williamson begins at 33:50
- I-75 Billboard begins at 1:13:38
- Carpenter Plaza begins at 1:15:45
DDA Member Comments begins at 1:19:16
Next Meeting will be on March 11, 2015 at Noon in the Governmental Center

First up was Mike Szuhkent from Birch Run.  I am a person that is resistant to change but they have won me over as far as the merging of the Bridgeport and Birch Run Chamber of Commerce groups.  I am very impressed with Mr. Szuhkent, with his positive attitude and energy, with his vision for the future.  I believe that the Birch Run members and Steve Dobis can make this merger work and bring some good things in the future for our two communities.  Mr. Szuhkent will be making a longer presentation at the March 11th DDA Board meeting.  I plan on being there and look forward to hearing what he says.
The future of the Great Lakes Discovery Center is finally closer to being a reality and that will be exciting.
The canoe/kayak launches are going to be a reality soon.  I don't think I am the only resident that  will be excited about that!!
The former Bridgeport Oil & Gas / B & S Heating property is now called Bridgeport Cass River Trailhead.  I think that is a great name for it and hope they keep that name.  Here is the proposed plan for the restoration and improvements for the site from December 2014.  Click on the photo to see a larger version and see the detail.

Several of the board members are concerned about the cost of this plan.  That is a very legitimate concern but I just don't quite agree with their suggestions for lowering the cost.  The largest line item on the cost projection is for the restoration of the old gas station.  The plan is to restore the facade of the building to make it look like the old Hamann station and then working on the inside to install public bathrooms.
Here are two photos of the station, first one is from 1956 and the second is from 1970.

The gas station may not be as old as the bridge but it is as much a part of Bridgeport as the bridge is.  Restoring the facade to look like the old station would be a nice touch to the proposed park area.  The station and station owners were a much loved part of Bridgeport and restoring it would be supported by many members of the community.  By not restoring it, it may cost the loss of some support from the community for the park area.
One board member mentioned the old gas station on Washington  Ave. in Saginaw near St. Mary's Hospital.  It is a very cool old building.  It was sitting boarded up and I believe it had graffiti painted on it.  To try and hide some of the blight in Saginaw, they have had some talented artists paint murals on the blighted buildings.  It looks nice, but it is still a boarded up blighted building.  Here are two photos of that gas station on Washington posted on the Pure Saginaw and Lost in Michigan Facebook pages.

In my opinion -- I would rather see the facade of the building painted to look like the old Bridgeport Oil & Gas Station than having a mural painted on it to look like a painted blighted building.  How much money would really be saved by doing the suggestion of the board members or in their other suggestion of just tearing the old station down?  Tanya Moore is the professional here and I trust her work and vision on this project. 

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting December 10th, 2014

On today's agenda -
Under New Business -
1.  Former Carpenter's Plaza discussion starts at 2:00 in the video
2.  Christmas Lunch starts at 7:20
3.  2015 Meeting Schedule starts at 8:05
Under Old Business -
1.  Canoe Launch starts at 8:38
2.  Great Lakes Discovery Center starts at 16:07
3.  Beautification Update starts at 17:08
4.  Review of 4422 Williamson starts at 18:30
5.  I-75 Billboard Update starts at 44:20
6.  6137 Dixie Highway Update starts at 46:00
DDA Coordinator's Report starts at 52:18
DDA Board Member Comments start at 1:05:51

There were some exciting things discussed at the meeting.  I am excited about the plans for the property located at 4422 Williamson, the former B & S Heating property.  It will become a park type area that ties in with the historic State Street Bridge and the walking trail.  The proposed plans call for restoring the facade of the front building back to the time when it was the Bridgeport Oil & Gas Co.  Many Bridgeport residents have fond memories of that business and the owners.  They would also include restrooms inside the building.  The back garage building would be torn down and a pavilion would be placed there with tables, grills etc..  There would also be a fishing/wildlife viewing platform overlooking the Cass River.  The projected cost for the project is $395,700.00.  They will start submitting grants to help obtain monies toward the cost.
When I look towards the future and the possibilities with this project, I see a truly beautiful attraction for Bridgeport; a beautiful part of Bridgeport and our history.  I had become too old and cranky and had lost my vision to see possibilities and the beauty in so many things.  Thankfully we have Tanya Moore and Steve Dobis, they can see the future and the possibilities then put them onto paper and into action!  They first presented this plan back in September along with Carl Hamann, a former Bridgeport resident and son of the last owner of Bridgeport Oil & Gas Co., you can view that meeting by clicking here -Special Meeting of the Bridgeport DDA Board
Here is the development master plan for the site done by Tanya Moore of Spicer Engineering.
*click on photo to enlarge it

 

Here also is the preliminary cost estimate for the project - 

There was some other good news.  The canoe launch project is moving forward.  So far Parks and Recreation Director Bill Wheeler has raised money from the DNR Trust Fund in the amount of $121,100.00 for the project.  Also from the Anderson Foundation - $30,000.00 over 3 years, Wickes Foundation - $10,000.00, McNally Foundation - $45,000.00 over 3 years, Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative - $20,000.00, Morley Foundation - $5,000.00 and from Bridgeport Township - $10,000.00

And lastly I was amazed to hear that Bridgeport had been able to obtain a very nice piece of property for the sum of $10.00!  The property is known as Carpenter Plaza, or known to those of us that grew up here as the former IGA and Hoffman Drugs property.  This property has been sitting vacant for years now and and is a eyesore.  NOW, there is a possible future for that property other than continued deterioration and vandalism.

Special Meeting Of The Bridgeport Township DDA Board, September 3rd, 2014

This was a special meeting open to the public to discuss future development plans for a parcel of property in downtown Bridgeport next to the Historic State Street Bridge that is owned by the DDA Board.  The property was at one time the Bridgeport Oil and Gas Station, most recently it was the
B & S Heating and Cooling building.
Carl Hamann and Steve Dobis, the DDA Coordinator,  gave a presentation to some of the DDA board members and other Bridgeport Township Employees.