People from the East End of Bridgeport slowly filtered into a growing crowd excited to hear about Bridgeport Landing Development’s newest retail project. Renderings, a podium, and local politicians were also part of the scene, an announcement about a development on Seaview Avenue at the mouth of I-95’s Exit 29 northbound entrance and exit. The announcement was about the building of a facility that would house a Dunkin Donut, Jersey Mike’s, a gas station, and an electric vehicle charging station. According to community leaders like East End NRZ President Keith Williams it has been a long time coming in this gas station desert. “For all those who’ve been sitting back waiting to see what’s going to happen, well time is passing. You better invest because if you don’t invest in East End, you’re going to say man I missed that boat.”
Bobby Christoph of Bridgeport Landing Development said, “The neighborhood has been very supportive. We’ve heard what you wanted and hopefully we’ve answered that call. This will be a first-class opportunity that doesn’t really exist anywhere in Fairfield on this two-acre site.”
The Lessee and operator of the new facility is Nurul Alam, “I’m so excited to be here with this opportunity. I have several gas stations throughout the state, but I don’t have any business in Bridgeport I’m so excited for Bridgeport and I want to thank Bobby Christoph for giving me the opportunity.” East End Councilman Earnest Newton said “I can tell you five years from today you all are going to say it reminds me of when we grew up here. So, thank you all, I’m excited because I lived long enough to see the changes.”
The new station expects to pass all upcoming zoning hurdles and if and when it does it will join nearby Steelpointe Harbor retailers such as Bass Pro Shops, Starbucks, Chipolte, T-Mobile, Boca Oyster Bar, as well as Bridgeport Harbor Marina. It is also expected that more announcements will come soon for residential and other projects on the Harbor.