April Council meeting brings new BDA director, Muzzy renovations

At a recent City Council meeting earlier this month, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of a new director in the city’s Bristol Development Authority office. Former Grants Administrator Justin Malley has been hired to be the executive director in the BDA office, replacing the vacant position that was left by former director Jonathan Rosenthal, who retired in January of 2013.
Malley has been instrumental in attracting businesses to the city and applying for grants to help enhance the aesthetics of the neighborhoods in Bristol.
Cockayne said he was excited to appoint Malley to this position during his term as Mayor.
“He has done an outstanding job,” Cockayne said about Malley, adding that “he has come up with a lot of new initiatives,” and marketing tactics for the city. “Good things are happening in the BDA office.”
The Council also approved the contract allowing Martin Laviero Contractor, Inc. to complete phase one of the renovations to Muzzy Field, in the amount of a little over $1.1 million. The first phase will take place beginning this month and is expected to be ready for the 100th anniversary event slated for July 5 and 6. The second phase of the renovations will begin later this year. Both phases combined are expected to cost about $2.5 million.
At its monthly meeting last week the Council also approved the police department to apply for a grant that could total up to $775,000 to be put toward a three-year planning and implementation project to reduce crime and increase public safety in the West End and downtown areas.
Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi said the grant will be administered by the United States Department of Justice, and if awarded the city will enter into a contractual agreement with Central Connecticut State University’s department of criminal justice. If the grant is awarded, the program would use the West End Neighborhood Study as a base for research, and partner with the West End Association. He said possible implementations could include more foot and bike patrols by officers, more code enforcement activities, organized crime watch groups, anti-graffiti and anti-blight measures, and more.
He said the grant application is extremely competitive, and Bristol will be going up against larger cities like Detroit and Boston.
“We feel we can compete,” Grimaldi said, adding that the plan would be formed to create lasting change.
“This is the exact initiative we need,” Cockayne said.