Reunion at the river

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.comLuzerne County Reporter

The crowd of roughly a thousand gave Jim Brozena a standing ovation as he walked to the podium Friday night – quite an approval rating for the new $23 million River Common park in downtown .

Hundreds of spectators watch the dedication of the new River Common park from graduated concrete steps and the pedestrian bridge on Friday.

PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER

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Brozena, the county engineer who has nurtured the project for the past 15 years, told those gathered at the park’s dedication and grand opening to take ownership of the one-mile stretch along the Susquehanna River.

“This park can help us to change our perception of our community, because remember – opportunities like this happen only once in a lifetime,” Brozena said. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for you to find your common ground.”

He noted that the new river landing/fishing pier is flanked by two “grand” county public works projects – the 100-year-old county courthouse and Market Street Bridge. Both were built by “a community that was proud of itself.”

The audience was packed with government officials, many thanked by Brozena and others. But Brozena said the project wouldn’t “turn out the way it did” without U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke.

Though plans for the River Common amphitheater, river landing and other recreational amenities crystallized over the last decade, the underlying flood control part of the project was born in 1986, Kanjorski told the group.

The project almost died in the late ‘80s, when the presidential administration thought the cost didn’t outweigh the flood protection benefits, he said.

“We had to fight like hell,” he said.

Kanjorski paused to express his disappointment that his proposed inflatable dam didn’t materialize, saying, “You can’t always accomplish everything.”

The River Common and rest of the 12-mile Wyoming Valley Levee system is one of the largest flood-control projects east of the Mississippi River, with a tab of $300 million, he said.

He predicted that people will gather at the River Common again in coming years to celebrate development of the nearby Hotel Sterling.

“Today the world should know we are back,” Kanjorski said.

Hazleton native John Quigley, acting state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary, spoke on behalf of the governor.

Quigley said he volunteered to clean a Wilkes-Barre church basement during the 1972 flood and still vividly remembers the Wyoming Valley’s dirt, dust and despair.

“Now to come home today and see this emphatic statement of hope and confidence in the future of this community is absolutely inspiring,” Quigley said.

The River Common is a “world-class facility” and model for other communities that are trying to reconnect to their rivers.

“My breath was taken away when I came through that portal and saw what you have accomplished,” he said.

Representatives of the Seneca Nation of Indians presented artwork and other gifts to Kanjorski and county officials, including a sign that read, “Good mind everywhere.” The Seneca traveled the Susquehanna as early as the 1600s, officials said.

County commissioner and Flood Protection Authority Chairman Stephen A. Urban cited other examples of the river’s significance, saying Captain John Smith marveled at its beauty as he canoed its waters in 1608.

Famous American portrait artist George Catlin also captured the river in his artwork, Urban said.

“The Susquehanna is again hailed today…as we give back the Susquehanna River to you and future generations to enjoy in this marvelous park,” Urban said.

Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said he was ordered by his mother to stay away from the river because it was viewed as a threat.

“Today, with this dedication, we get to renew our relationship with the river – a relationship that my generation never knew but many previous have,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce head Todd Vonderheid, a former county commissioner, presented a painting of the river to Brozena to thank him for his work. Vonderheid said the park is a gift that will be enjoyed by many generations with no admission price.

At one point, the ceremony was pleasantly interrupted by the flyover of a 1943 Navy fighter plane.

Friends Ruth Jones and Jean Smith arrived early to get a good seat, walking from the nearby Washington Square Apartments.

“I think it’s unbelievable. I can’t believe how nice this is,” Smith said. “I’m going to be here every day.”

Pittston residents Phyllis and Lee Umphred were awed by the transformation of the once unusable river bank.

“I’m overwhelmed after knowing what this area was like before,” Lee said.

“It’s very impressive,” Phyllis said.

Wilkes-Barre residents George and Shirley Vitanovec said it’s ironic that they are enjoying the river because they lost their home to flooding in June 1972.

“It’s funny how things can change,” Shirley said. “I’m very proud of what’s happening here today.”

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