Bijou Square asks: Where were you before you lived here?

Don: Providence RI! I'm a new York City native, but lived in Providence for a total of about 9 years; 5 years in the late 1970s for college and work, and then 4 during the last decade when I was head of economic development.

Bijou Square: What brought you here?

Don: I was recruited in 2008 to come take the job as Director of the City of Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development.

Bijou Square: What do you do in Bridgeport?

Don: As head of OPED I manage a collection of divisions including Economic Development, City Planning, Anti-Blight/Neighborhood Revitalization, Zoning & Land Use, Buildings, etc.

Bijou Square: What’s one spot you could be in Bridgeport all day and why?

Don: Unfortunately my office! There's a great regional buzz on the City, in spite of the navel-gazers and naysayers things are poppin' and there is so much to do. The good part is that its so frantic and fast-paced there's no time to get bored.

Bijou Square: What do you think we’re missing here?

Don: More festivals and events, a downtown bike shop, music store, tequila bar, and skate store (the one that was here just moved to a "neighboring community"). Also, more live music venues and more youth-friendly retail.