Steven Stafstrom

I am pleased to share with you that $3 million in bonding for the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club in Bridgeport has been included on the Connecticut State Bond Commission's agenda for December 21. The Commission will vote on this proposal and several others during its meeting next Tuesday.

The funds, if approved, will help rebuild the Madison Avenue Community Center (behind Central High School), which is anticipated to serve thousands of children ages 3 to 18. The 44,230 square foot facility will provide 3 meals a day, nutritional counseling, a Learning Center, three-court field house, performing arts space, technology room, teen lounge, STEM learning and a licensed day care center. Wakeman is also expected to partner with Southwest Community Health Center which will provide medical, dental, vision and behavioral health on the second floor of a facility.
 
The total cost for the project is about $23 million, over $15 million of which has been raised privately, with the balance funded by the City of Bridgeport, State of Connecticut and New Market Tax Credit dollars.
 
The construction of this state of the art facility has long been a priority of mine and I am thrilled to have been able to secure the critical State matching investment to finally make it a reality. This facility will offer children in our community an unparalleled positive, safe place to play, learn, and grow. I want to extend my thanks to Governor Lamont, Speaker Ritter and commission members for understanding this project's significance and value and their work to move it forward.
 
In addition to the Wakeman funding, the Bond Commission is also expected to approve $300,000 for improvements to the Klein Memorial Auditorium, $12.6 million for reconstruction of a parking garage at Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health, and $10 million for environmental cleanup to re-develop the Remington Arms factory site. 

You can read the State Bond Commission's full agenda here.