[cello700]

Hi there. I graduated Class of 1980 and moved to the DC area and have been here ever since. I've never gone back. Could anyone give a few memories as to what happened since the Moonie takeover? Do all buildings stand? If not, what are they used for? Has the neighborhood improved in any way? Is Famous Pizza or the "nick" still there. How about the Kingsman? Anyway, your thought, memories and observations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. "Seeley Hall" Steve

[kalibex]

Famous Pizza's still there.

UB's got a new soccer field (next to Dana Hall). The Wahlstrom Library's now only the 1st 4 floors of the building; the president's moved into the 8th floor, HR and provost on the 7th, admissions on 6th, classrooms and some sort of education resource center being created on the 5th floor. The library's 1st floor has now been completely renovated, however, into a 'learning commons' - very spiffy. Fones (dental hygiene) recently got their space also renovated (nice new clinic).

[jjbradleynyc]

I know the area surrounding the University of Bridgeport is still, sadly, pretty much a run-down, crime-ridden part of the city. It has amazing potential, but nothing was happening during the "boom real estate rush days", and now with this major recession, gentrification is even more on the back-burner.

[JayCT]

I think the real need to improve the South End would be to get rid of the Marina Village public housing project there. That would really go a long way to reducing crime and improving the area's image. JMHO, Jay

[acornsower]

Originally Posted by cello700

Is Famous Pizza or the "nick" still there. How about the Kingsman?

Famous Pizza is still there and hasn't changed much. The 'Knick' (or the Knickerbocker,to be more proper) was sold by dear old Irene right after you left ('81??) and for a period of five or six years was a Yuppie den that served things like croque monsieur sandwiches at exorbitant prices. Then with the crack epidemic in the late '80s there was a terrible murder and the place finally burned to the ground. Around the same time Joe sold out the Kingsman to the guy who like the Remington Shaver so much he bought the company; it was fenced off and has remained so ever since. There was talk at the height of the real estate boom of constructing a 37-story skyscraper containing condos on that site that would start at $600,000 (native Bridgeporters rolled their eyeballs when that one was announced).

Other than that things haven't gotten remarkably better or worse since your day.