The Bridgeport News
by Jeff Toquinto, NEWS EDITOR
BRIDGEPORT, (Wednesday, October 25, 2000)
Officials with the City of Bridgeport, West Virginia University and a local development group will announce today a $750,000,000 planned development that will include a conference center and at least one hotel.
The development, which will be known as Charles Pointe, covers 2,000 acres situated along Interstate 79 and the North Bridgeport Bypass, or Route 279. Although the acreage is currently outside the city limits, officials involved with the project said all 2,000 acres are expected to become part of the city.
Details of the development were being released at a press conference this morning. Genesis Partners of Bridgeport President James A. Corton said the key projects include a convention center and a hotel expected to cost a combined $9 million.
The convention center, which will be a minimum of 10,000 square feet, will be owned by the city of Bridgeport. The hotel will be developed by The Humphrey Companies.
Corton added the hotel will be a "Hilton-type" with the possibility of as many as three being built on the site. Ground is expected to be broken as early as mid-2001.
The site is also expected to include residential housing, a public 18-hole golf course and a town center.
The project has been in the planning stages for as many as seven years, said Corton. He added that "the time is right" to begin the project.
"Bridgeport is quite an amenity for people in the new economy," said Corton of the future combination of technology and commerce.
"…We’re fortunate to have the City of Bridgeport and their open-mindedness. This is a bold endeavor."
WVU President David Hardesty will be on hand to announce a memorandum of understanding between the school and Genesis to develop the area with high technology companies.
The development is being named in honor of Bridgeport resident C. E. "Jim" Compton. Compton’s contributions on a local and state level are well-known.
Jennifer Corton, Compton’s daughter, is vice president of Genesis Partners.
