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Tuesday, May 03, 1994     Page: 4A QUICK WORDS: CASEY BYPASSES ARENA IN
RECENT PROJECT FUNDING

HARRISBURG — Gov. Robert P. Casey continued Monday to release money for
capital projects across the state, but the proposed arena/convention center in
Wilkes-Barre Township was not one of them.
   
Officials in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton must continue to wait as Casey
decides which area should receive more than $20 million in state funds to
build an arena.
    The two-term governor approved the release of $10.7 million from a $300
million state fund for capital redevelopment assistance projects in
Northampton and York counties.
   
“Today we continue the most ambitious effort ever undertaken in our state
to create jobs and revitalize communities across the Commonwealth by investing
$300 million in cultural, historical and civic development projects,” Casey
said. “Today, with the release of four projects in Bethlehem, Easton, and
York, we pass the $100 million mark for projects approved in seven
Pennsylvania cities.”
   
The projects approved by the governor are:
   
Lehigh University Arts Center, Bethlehem — $5 million to build a new
community arts center and parking garage on the university campus. The center
will include an art gallery, two theaters, offices and classroom space to
serve the university and the community.
   
Total project cost: $24 million
   
Hugh Moore Park Canal Museum and Easton House Tavern, Easton — $2.85
million to expand and reconstruct the museum and tavern to house exhibits, a
visitors center and a children’s activity center for the Delaware and Lehigh
Canal State Heritage Park. Total project cost: $9 million
   
York Memorial Park Ice Rink — $1.2 million to convert an existing ice rink
into a year-round multipurpose facility that will serve the recreational needs
of the community, including skating, soccer, basketball and small conventions.
   
Total project cost: $2.5 million
   
South George Street Revitalization, York — $1.642 million to make the
street a gateway to the city by making architectural, streetscape, signing and
lighting improvements. The project is part of an overall plan to improve
commercial and cultural redevelopment along the corridor.
   
Total project cost: $7.2 million
   
The capital redevelopment assistance program’s purpose is to revitalize
communities across the state by creating construction jobs and spurring
economic growth through locally sponsored economic development projects which
may include civic, cultural and historical building and improvements.
   
They bring total funding committed to date to $103 million for projects in
seven Pennsylvania cities. Previously projects were approved in Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Erie and Lancaster.
   
The governor said that many other state and local partnerships continue to
be developed, and funding for additional projects will be released as
circumstances warrant.
   
The redevelopment assistance program is a separate category of the state
capital budget, which finances building and improvement projects through the
sale of government bonds.
   
The projects, which are not owned by the state, require at least a 50
percent local match and will be overseen by state contracted architectural and
engineering firms.