Specter to push for W-B funds

WILKES-BARRE – U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Monday said he still has the clout to deliver funding to cities such as Wilkes-Barre, and Mayor Leighton has asked him to do just that.

The five-term senator was in town to tour the still-incomplete Intermodal Transportation Center and to announce that he will try to get the city an additional $500,000 for the Streetscape Project.

The funding would be used to replace the sidewalks on Public Square from Rodano’s to Anthracite Newsstand. The sidewalk would be like those in front of the Movies 14 Theater and would have accessible ramps, new benches and bike racks.

Specter, 80, faces a primary battle against U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, and if he survives that race, he will head to the November general election against GOP favorite Pat Toomey.

“This is a tremendous addition to the city,” Specter, D-Philadelphia, said. “Mayor Leighton has asked me to get some additional funding for sidewalks on the Public Square, which I understand haven’t been replaced since the flood of 1972.”

The Intermodal cost has risen to more than $28 million, and $13.2 million of that is federally funded. The 752-space parking garage is now slated to open on March 1, but the bus terminal and lobby won’t open until late May or early June, the mayor said.

Part of the reason for constructing the Intermodal is to get public transportation vehicles – buses and taxis – off Public Square to free up additional parking for downtown businesses. Leighton has said the additional parking spaces in the Intermodal would also help attract new business and shoppers to the city.

“The business people tell me they will be very happy to see additional parking on the square,” Leighton said. “We’re told that adding parking to the downtown will attract more retail stores.”

The $7.3 million Downtown Streetlight and Streetscape Enhancement Project has changed the appearance of downtown, Leighton said. New streetlights have replaced temporary fixtures, making the streets brighter. Part of the project is to replace sidewalks in the downtown, and that’s where Specter was asked to help.

“The revitalization of downtown Wilkes-Barre is critical,” Specter said. “A lot of jobs would be created in construction at a time when we are so badly in need of job opportunities in these tough economic times.”

Leighton said that once the Intermodal opens, approximately 80 new metered parking spaces will be created on Public Square. The facility is located off South Washington Street behind Public Square.

Specter is a 29-year member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and he said he is optimistic he can steer funds to Pennsylvania, especially when jobs are being created.

Leighton said the project could not have happened without the help of federal legislators such as Specter, U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

At a City Council meeting two weeks ago, several change orders for the Intermodal were approved totaling $910,963. The reasons listed on council’s agenda for the increased amounts were “change in scope of job” and “delays in construction.”

Leighton said the project has been delayed because one unnamed contractor was not showing up for work, prompting the mayor to suggest possible litigation.

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At mayor’s request, senator will try to get the city an additional $500K for Streetscape Project.

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