Former lawmaker blasts approval for housing at the former Testo's restaurant

    

By Reginald Johnson

 

 BRIDGEPORT REPORT     

     BRIDGEPORT --- City officials have given the green light for the development of a high density housing complex at the site of the former Testo’s restaurant on Madison Avenue and a former North End political leader is furious that there was no public hearing on the matter.

 Zoning officials gave an administrative approval to the project which will entail the construction of 177 residential units at the corner of Madison and Westfield Avenue in the heart of the North End, an area which is dominated by single-family homes. Under the new master plan and zoning regulations a public hearing was not required, officials said.

  And that’s what has Chris Caruso, a former state representative and city council member, up in arms.

  “When you think about it, to put a 177-unit complex with underground parking and the public hasn’t been able to speak on traffic, noise, density or any of those issues, it’s wrong. I believe in a public hearing. If the people are for it, by all means come out and speak in favor of it or if you’re against it come out and speak against.  But to take away that constitutional right of a public hearing to me is just an abomination,” Caruso said.

City officials have approved the construction of 177 housing units at the site of the former Testo's Restaurant, 1775 Madison Avenue. (Reginald Johnson photo)

    Caruso said he planned to speak at the public forum prior to Monday’s City Council meeting and ask that the council demand that the planning and zoning commission place a moratorium on the new master plan and regulations until there’s been a closer review of their impact. Caruso said that he would pressure Mayor Joseph P. Ganim to call for a moratorium as well.

  Additionally, the former legislator said he would call on the mayor to ask the city attorney “to investigate a statute or local law to see if we can change this development in the sense of holding a public hearing. I think the absence of a public hearing is unconscionable.”

 Testo's Ristorante, a landmark in the North End, was closed at the end of last year. The long-time owner and proprietor was Mario Testa, who ran the Democratic Town Committe for years and is a close ally of Ganim. The restaurant, which also had a catering hall, hosted many town committee meetings and election parties.

 Paul Boucher, the city zoning director, did not return a call for comment. The two city council members who represent the 133rd council district, which includes 1775 Madison Avenue --- Jeanette Herron and Aikeem Boyd --- also could not be reached.

 Caruso said he will not let up in his fight.

 "I'm going to pursue this. If they don't want us to have a public hearing, there will be a hearing in Bridgeport, because I will organize one and bring everyone out. This is something that needs to be fought," he said.