Wilkes-Barre City Council holds off on Public Square stage project vote

Jun. 10—WILKES-BARRE — A last-minute move by a majority of City Council left hanging the $548,000 project proposed by Mayor George Brown to build a permanent stage on Public Square with federal pandemic relief funds.

Council Chairwoman Beth Gilbert McBride along with Councilmen Tony Brooks and John Marconi teamed up to remove the project from a list of agenda items to be voted on Thursday night, ostensibly to learn more about it.

"We just found about this last week. So, we just want, you know, to gather the information and do our due diligence," McBride said at the start of Council's regularly scheduled public meeting.

The decision flustered Brown who, for the second time this week, watched as Council raised concerns about the costs of projects to be funded by some of the $37.1 million in American Rescue Plan funds awarded the city to recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council wanted to include a dollar amount on the project to renovate the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Center downtown the city wants to award the lowest bidder. But noting that would be a mistake because the project is still out for bid, the resolution was pulled from Thursday night's meeting agenda.

But as for the stage project, Brown said after the meeting, "What they did tonight was terrible."

Brown pointed out he honored Council's request from Tuesday night's work session to have the contractor, architect and a downtown official present at the meeting to explain the high cost of the stage project. Larry Newman of the Diamond City Partnership, the downtown economic development agency, John Panzitta whose company, Panzitta Enterprises Inc., was the low bidder for the project and a representative from Bohlin Cywinski Jackson architects were prepared to address Council. But they walked out without saying a word.

Councilman Bill Barrett, who along with Councilman Mike Belusko opposed removing the stage project from the agenda, questioned why the three men weren't allowed to speak.

"I know I was interested in listening to what they had to say. I wanted to find a little bit more about it," Barrett said.

Barrett said they could have made their presentation and Council could have then decided whether to vote on the project or table it to obtain additional information.

"I just don't understand" why Council wouldn't listen to the men in attendance, Barrett said, adding, "Not quite sure."

McBride offered an explanation.

"Simply put, I want more information and I want more time to digest that information. I don't think we should be expected to make a decision five minutes after getting that information," McBride said.

McBride said she spoke with Newman prior to the meeting about how she felt.

Resident Angela Czapla was clear in her opposition to spending $435,000 in ARP funds for the stage. An additional $113,000 in state grant funding would complete the project's funding.

"I commend the mayor for wanting to add an upgrade for the entertainment of the residents. However, now is not the time. If our city was totally clean, safe and thriving, I would totally support this endeavor. But regrettably this is not the case," Czapla said.

Czapla suggested the city use ARP money for a free, city-wide cleanup of large items. She also suggested the creation of a temporary neighborhood policing unit to patrol "heavily and constantly to rid these neighborhoods of non law-abiding residents." The unit could be made up of retired law enforcement officers looking to supplement their income, she said.

"I might not have all the answers, but I know the stage is not one of them at this time," Czapla said.

Council ended up with three items to vote on and approved all of them:

—The temporary suspension of the ordinance pertaining to the open consumption of alcoholic beverages for the CASAblanca fundraiser on the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn on Sept. 22.

—The first of two readings of an ordinance to make South Sheridan Street one-way south between East South and Lehigh streets, and to make Lehigh Street one-way west between South Sheridan and South Meade streets.

—The second and final reading of an ordinance to vacate of portion of what was formerly known as Grant Alley and convey the land to the adjoining property owner Wilkes University.

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