Rendell to visit, presents in hand

WILKES-BARRE – Gov. Ed Rendell will visit the area on Thursday and is expected to announce funding for two major projects in Wilkes-Barre.

Mayor Tom Leighton on Tuesday said he expects the governor to announce state funding for the development of the former Murray Complex and for the former Stegmaier Bottling Plant. Each project is estimated to cost $20 million to $25 million.

“With these two announcements, the city could have projects totaling more than $150 million going on,” Leighton said. “And that’s not counting the Hotel Sterling.”

Leighton said the two projects have been in the planning stages for nearly three years.

In addition, several other projects already are under way: Riverfront ($30 million), Coal Street Park ($25 million) and the downtown Intermodal Transportation Center ($22 million). The mayor said the Sterling renovation is estimated at $100 million.

The Stegmaier property, which has been used as storage for Diversified Records, is owned by Clifford Melberger of West Pittston. Butch Frati, city public works director, said Melberger has put together a development company called Green Space Properties that will develop the former plant.

According to the proposal submitted to the city, Green Space plans to convert the plant into commercial and residential use. Frati said 61 apartments ranging in size from 600 square feet to 1,200 square feet are planned. A restaurant and retail space also are proposed.

The Green Space proposal will be considered at next week’s meeting of the city zoning hearing board. Melberger could not be reached for comment.

Before the project proceeds, the city must agree to vacate part of Lincoln Street, which runs behind the Stegmaier building. Council will vote on the Lincoln Street realignment on Thursday.

“If approved, we would realign approximately 25 feet of Lincoln Street to allow for the development of the property,” Frati said.

Last month, the city entered into an agreement with Daniel Siniawa & Associates of Dickson City to renovate the former Murray complex.

Robert Sakosky, the company’s vice president, said the company plans to develop the16-acre complex to house 55 loft-style condominiums, expand the dining for the former Murray’s Inn, add two restaurants with courtyards and create 50,000-60,000 square feet of retail space.