News

March 26, 2008

W-B seeks grant to boost housing

Resolution would authorize the filing of a $100,000 grant request from the state.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – City council and the mayor believe housing is the key to the continued revitalization of the downtown.

At Tuesday’s work session, council discussed a resolution that would authorize the city to seek a $100,000 planning grant with the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Council will vote on the measure at Thursday’s meeting.

The grant will be used to update the downtown development plan first developed in 2001 and implemented in 2003, said Larry Newman of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corp., which will administer the grant.

“The more people living in the downtown, the better it will be for the city,” he said. “It will allow us to go from a 9-to-5 city to an 18-hour-a-day city.”

Newman said additional housing could be available in the area along East Northampton Street near the Movies 14 complex, where the buildings are ready to be divided into loft apartments.

Newman said the Chamber of Commerce is seeking other sites for housing and the name of a developer will be announced in the coming weeks.

The only thing not offered downtown is a grocery store, Newman said.

He said other projects could result from the planning grant. He mentioned a need for what he called “way-finding signage.” Most cities have installed a coordinated sign program that makes it easy for motorists to find their way to designated areas and attractions.

The $100,000 grant is a matching grant, Newman said. The Chamber and other entities could raise the remainder.

What’s next?

City council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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