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Suffolk City Council granted a conditional use permit for the Bridgeport development at 3800 and 3832 Bridge Road. The permit allows for live indoor and outdoor entertainment, indoor and outdoor flea markets, and a farmer’s market. 

Kevin Wyne, Director of Planning and Community Development, stated that the property is zoned B2, general commercial, and designated as a commercial corridor. The conditional use permit sought approval for three main uses:

• Live Entertainment: Outdoors in the plaza, farmers market area, and the Westside Burger/Silos, with varying proposed hours. Indoor live entertainment was requested for Knotts Coffee (including a covered patio) and within the Silos/Westside Burger spaces until midnight.
• Farmers Market/Flea Market: To be held on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as during a holiday market in December, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wyne clarified the distinction between a farmers market (direct-to-consumer sales of homegrown/homemade goods) and a flea market (allowing for a broader range of vendors).
• Live Entertainment After 10:00 p.m.: Specifically indoors at Knotts Coffee and the Silos/Westside Burger.

Wyne said city staff had evaluated the request and recommended approval with conditions, which the Planning Commission supported with a 7-0 vote.

Chandler Cutright, marketing director for Bridgeport, spoke in support of the ordinance, emphasizing the positive impact of community events hosted at Bridgeport over the past five years. Cutright says these events have successfully attracted visitors from outside the area, including Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, helping to bring new people into Suffolk.

Cutright clarified the event schedules, explaining that the outdoor concert series at Bridgeport Plaza takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a request for flexibility to extend until 10 p.m. if needed. The farmers’ markets, held primarily during the growing season, run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sundays and feature small acoustic performances that are neither loud nor disruptive.

Regarding the Knotts Coffee patio area, Cutright explained that it serves as a venue for casual entertainment, including small gatherings like baby showers, where live entertainment may be provided. Cutright also mentioned that The Silos at WestSide has been successful in hosting community events and intends to offer live entertainment on weekends, similar to Decoys, for patrons to enjoy. Additionally, Cutright expressed interest in allowing entertainment inside the venue during winter months or private events that may extend beyond the typical 10 p.m. closing time.

Councilmember Ebony Wright said she had received some questions and concerns about the noise, but she noted that city staff explained her questions very well. Wright reassured the community that the conditional use permit required certain conditions to be met, and if, for some reason, the noise became “unbearable,” which she said she did not feel as though it would, steps could be taken to address those concerns.

The motion passed with an 8-0 vote.