(BRIDGEPORT, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the official grand opening of the new Bullard-Havens Technical High School, a state-of-the-art, 214,508-square-foot educational facility designed to prepare students for careers across 13 in-demand technical fields. The school, the most sustainable technical high school ever constructed in Connecticut, represents a major investment in Bridgeport, the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), and the state’s future workforce.
The new $199 million school facility, which was entirely funded by the state and project managed by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Service (DAS), includes a three-story main academic and trades building, a 12,291-square-foot maintenance garage, a new field house, guard house, ticket booth, and fully redeveloped athletic facilities. Built to meet Connecticut High Performance Building Standards, it features one of the state’s largest geothermal well fields, advanced HVAC and lighting systems, energy-recovery ventilation, and a design that is solar-ready — making it one of the most energy-efficient schools in the country.
Governor Lamont celebrated the project as a major step forward for Bridgeport and the state.
“This school represents exactly the kind of investment Connecticut needs to remain competitive and support the next generation of skilled workers,” Governor Lamont said. “Bullard-Havens students will learn in modern, industry-aligned labs and classrooms that match the workplaces they will enter after graduation. This project shows what is possible when state agencies, educators, industry partners, and labor all work toward a common goal.”
“This new building represents a major investment in both CTECS and the greater Bridgeport community,” Dr. Alice Pritchard, executive director of CTECS, said. “It will give our students access to state-of-the-art learning environments that help prepare them for in-demand, middle-class careers. What makes me most proud is knowing that this school has the power to change the trajectory of a young person’s life.”
DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman highlighted her department’s commitment and the project team’s dedication to the construction of the school.
“This project has been a priority for our agency from day one,” Commissioner Gilman said. “I am incredibly grateful for the DAS Construction Services project management team and their extraordinary commitment. Their persistence is a major reason we are opening this building on time, on budget, and ready to serve generations of students.”
“As both a parent and a representative of the Bridgeport community, this school means opportunity,” State Representative Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport) said. “It means our kids will have access to training and technology that prepares them for good-paying careers right here in Connecticut.”
“This new school feels like a place where we can truly grow,” Caeden Duncan, an 11th grade criminal justice student, said. “The spaces are professional, the technology is what we’ll actually use in the field, and it shows that the state believes in us.”
“The new plumbing shop and labs are amazing,” Neveah Sanchez, a 10th grade plumbing student, said. “It feels like we’re learning in a real work environment, and it motivates us to push ourselves and be ready for our careers.”
“By bringing our entire school community under one roof, this building will transform the way we learn and work together,” Bullard-Havens Principal Dr. Susan Foss said. “Our new shops and labs reflect the true standards of the industries our students will enter. I’m proud to have played even a small part in making this long-awaited project a reality.”
The project was built under a project labor agreement (PLA) with Gilbane Building Company, the Fairfield County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. The PLA helped ensure a reliable supply of skilled labor, consistent work rules, and strong coordination across trades — contributing to an on-time, on-budget delivery.
The project was designed by JCJ Architecture and constructed by Gilbane Building Company, with Arcadis serving as construction administrator. Specialized trade shops, flexible classrooms, advanced mechanical and electrical systems, and expanded gathering spaces were all delivered through close collaboration among DAS, CTECS, contractors, local officials, and labor partners.
The school, maintenance garage, and security facilities open December 1, 2025, with the athletic fields, field house, and ticket booth scheduled for completion in May 2027.
Today’s ceremony included student musical performances, remarks from state and local leaders, student speakers, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Governor Lamont, Mayor Joe Ganim, and community representatives also contributed items to a time capsule that will be sealed on campus to mark the occasion.
