Opinion

OUR OPINION: CITY REVIVAL

October 8, 2009

Signs of progress are signs of life

AS WILKES-BARRE strives to rebuild both its downtown and its downtrodden image, people understandably have been looking for solid evidence of progress.

Two pieces recently came into view: one in the form of ice, the other steel.

The city showed off its new Ice-A-Rama this week, the centerpiece of a nearly $14 million, ongoing renovation of Coal Street Park. The year-round skating venue will serve as the practice facility for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team.

The Ice-A-Rama is expected to open to the public in December. The city’s debt for the park project is about $5 million of the total cost.

Elsewhere, private dollars spurred an encouraging development.

A company called 65 Public Square Associates, owner of the Luzerne Bank Building on Public Square, spent more than $100,000 to build a new, 55-foot-long pedestrian bridge.

The steel span links its building with the city’s soon-to-be-completed Intermodal Transportation Center. Employees and clients of the 35 or so companies housed in the bank building will have easy access to the center, expected to serve as a hub for bus and taxi transportation. The center also contains about 750 parking spaces.

“We believe there is a future in downtown Wilkes-Barre and it’s coming back,” said Jeff Pyros, of 65 Public Square Associates. “We’re willing to stick our necks out and try to help that resurgence.”

Critics have complained that all the city’s revival efforts and dollars have been devoted to the downtown rather than its neighborhoods. But redevelopment is a bit like triage. Before addressing any ugly bruises on the arms and legs, it’s necessary to get the heart pumping.

These projects further suggest the city’s vital signs might be strengthening.

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