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For Immediate Release
Ribbon Cutting at New Downtown Bridgeport
Mayor Finch Cuts ribbion with Commcap and BNT staff. A major downtown Bridgeport investor has put their money where their offices are. The Community Capital Fund and Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust have moved into new offices in the heart of a vibrant area they helped to create. The pair of urban development organizations held a joint Ribbon-Cutting and Holiday Open House on December 2, 2009 when Mayor Bill Finch, Building Owner John Bello, Commcap Executive Director Ann Robinson and BNT Executive Director Elizabeth Torres cut the ribbon on their third floor offices at 240 Fairfield Avenue. The ribbon cutting took place in the downtown district where numerous restaurants, unique office space and stylish apartments now call home. Community Capital has made seven loans on the Fairfield Avenue Block between Broad and Lafayette Boulevard. Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust is known for adding quality and affordability to Bridgeport's housing supply. In support of Bridgeport's Downtown, CommCap and BNT, have strategically chosen to stay at the center of their action. The plaza is a fitting new home, as the building was both acquired and renovated with the help of CommCap funds. In 2003, developer John Bello received a loan to purchase the building, and then an additional loan in 2008 to upgrade the office and retail space. When complete the building will also boast 12 quality affordable rental apartments, adding additional vibrancy to the heart of Bridgeport. In 2008, Community Capital Fund closed over $4 million in loans for affordable housing and small busi¬ness, more loans than in any year since its inception. Throughout its history, BNT’s comprehensive approach to community revitalization has made a significant impact, including the completion of over 50 units of affordable housing units leveraging over $6 million of public and private resources. Add to that another 9 units that are under construction, and 53 more in the development pipeline, representing an additional $10 million investment in the community. Executive Director Elizabeth Torres says from her new offices, "BNT will continue to expand its housing development to include mixed use and larger scale projects. Sustainability will be the focus of BNT's upcoming development work." Robinson said, "In the coming year, we look forward to welcoming you to visit us in our new offices, developing new partnerships and increasing opportunities to respond to the needs of the Greater Bridgeport community." To make the new office space habitable they received workstations from UI, and furniture from the former Bridgeport Economic Resource Center. Click here |
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Our mailing address is: Our website: www.bntweb.org | Commcap.org Copyright (C) 2009 Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. All rights reserved. This is an American View Productions Press Release.(203 366 5033) |
