Funding approved to build skate park in Wilkes-Barre's Hollenback Park

Jerry Lynott, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·4 min read
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Sep. 9—WILKES-BARRE — Before the vote Thursday to spend $450,000 to build a skate park, Christopher Pons told City Council it would be worth it.

A teacher at Wyoming Seminary, Pons spoke about learning life lessons and exposure to new types of music and art through the community of skaters, starting on Public Square and continuing in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Phoenix and in Europe.

"It was beyond borders. It was beyond language. When I fell someone was there, a perfect stranger willing to help me up," Pons said.

The facility in Hollenback Park, which could also be used by BMX and scooter riders, would offer other kids, including his students similar opportunities, Pons told Council. "I would very much love to take my physics class and explore the skate park as an outdoor classroom," he said.

The vote was unanimous, 4-0, and the next step would be awarding American Ramp Company of Joplin, Mo. the contract paid with a portion of the $37.1 million in American Rescue Plan funds the city received from the federal government to help recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic.

County manager visits; spending approved

Ahead of the vote during the regularly scheduled monthly meeting, Luzerne County Manager Randy Robertson, along with several department heads, introduced themselves to Council. "I just always kind of look at possibilities and what we can do together," Robertson said. But he also put out the word the county was critically short staffed in a number of departments and was hiring.

Without any discussion Council approved spending federal and city money for a variety of projects listed on the agenda:

—$139,619 in ARP funds for a natural gas powered, 150-kilowatt generator from Medico Industries for the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department headquarters.

—A combination of ARP and city dollars totalling $2,293,913 for renovations to the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Center. The work will be performed by the lowest responsible bidders, general contractor Panzitta Enterprises, $1,992,000 and electrical contractor Brennan Electric Inc., $301,913.

—$35,000 of city funds for a new point of sale system for the Tax and Code offices.

Council approved applications for state Local Share Account program grants administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority from revenues from the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino in Plains Township:

—$78,561 for a skid steer and bucket truck for the city's Department of Public Works.

—$281,480 for the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority to purchase an electric vehicle to transport employees and replace aging equipment with a remote control mower, air compressor, zero-turn mower and slope mower.

—$250,000 for the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA to renovate underutilized space into multi-purpose rooms for community and childcare center programming.

—$250,000 for the Volunteers of America Pennsylvania to fill a funding gap to rehabilitate a deteriorating building on East Division Street into apartments.

Council further approved the refinancing of $17.5 million in notes issued by the Wilkes-Barre Finance Authority to Allied Services Personal Care, Inc. for renovations at the former St. Luke's Villa on East Northampton and former Little Flower Manor on South Meade Street. There is no cost to the city and the Allied is taking advantage of tax-free refinancing of the notes.

A last-minute resolution was approved to temporarily suspend the ordinance prohibiting the open consumption of alcoholic beverage for the Osterhout Free Library's Rooftop Party at the Intermodal Center on Oct. 7.

Council's second and final reading of an ordinance designated Sterling Avenue for residential permit parking. Its first reading of Stormwater Management ordinance moved the city closer to complying with a state mandate to have the plan in place.

Boscov's assessment vote

Prior to the meeting Council held a separate public session and voted to accept the recommendation of City Assessor John Anstett to lower the combined tax assessment to $266,800 for six parcels owned Boscov's Department Store, LLC, including the parking garage on South Franklin Street.

The reduction would end the company's appeal in Luzerne County Court that its 2021 assessment of $420,970 was higher than comparable properties. The lower assessed value reduces the property tax to approximately $38,000 from approximately $60,000.

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.