Ceremony will open River Common June 19

Mark your calendar if you’ve been itching to explore the revamped River Common in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The park along the Susquehanna River will officially open June 19, kicking off with a dedication ceremony at 4 p.m., the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority announced during Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

The ceremony will be held on a stage to be set up at the amphitheater, which is accessed through the Northampton Street levee portal opening, said authority Executive Director Jim Brozena.

After the dedication, the public will be invited to enjoy a free “evening of music,” Brozena said.

The Wyoming Valley Concert Band – formerly the Stegmaier Gold Medal Band – will start the musical performances around 6 p.m., he said.

Two other bands will perform at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. He’s still working out details and will announce the line-up closer to the event.

A fishing clinic and other events are being planned near the fishing pier/landing, which is accessible through the other portal opening between the Market Street Bridge and county courthouse.

The annual Riverfest will be held Saturday, June 20, and local bands will again perform from Saturday afternoon through the evening at the River Common amphitheater, Brozena said.

County officials are still contemplating the creation of a nonprofit entity to oversee River Common event scheduling and fundraising, he said. Organizations will also be sought to “sponsor” cleanup of various stretches of the park, he said.

“Hopefully that will get completed soon and we’ll have some enthusiastic board members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and bring their expertise,” Brozena said.

The authority also agreed Tuesday to form a committee to review proposals from companies interested in handling collection of the new Wyoming Valley Levee maintenance fee.

Two companies submitted proposals: Berkheimer Associates in Wilkes-Barre and Central Tax Bureau of Northeastern PA, which is known locally as the Don Wilkinson Agency.

Brozena and authority members Adrian Merolli and Chris Belleman will serve on the committee and recommend a company to be hired at the June 16 authority meeting.

The board also voted to pay Waterware Co., Philadelphia, $24,728 to replace the 1950s Wilkern Street flood gate at the Exeter/West Pittston border. The project will be funded with a state Department of Environmental Protection grant.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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Event will feature free evening of music by area bands and a fishing clinic.

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