Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown delivers weekly ‘State of the City’ address

WILKES-BARRE — During his weekly state of the city address Friday, Mayor George Brown provided updates on city projects and reiterated the need to continue efforts underway to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Brown has been delivering the addresses since April 3 on the city’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WilkesBarreCity/.

City buildings and grounds damaged during a storm on April 13 have been identified and repairs begun, Brown said. The storm also caused extensive damage to City Hall.

Repairs to the East Market Street side of City Hall have been completed, but work still remains to be done on the roof and interior fourth floor.

”Now that being said, I’m sorry to say City Hall will remain being closed until further notice,” Brown said. He and his administration and employees who worked in the building have relocated to other locations.

The last of the traffic restrictions on the streets surrounding City Hall will be lifted Saturday morning. Butler Lane and North Washington Street between East Union and East Market streets will reopen at 9 a.m.

While traffic will flow freely on those streets, paving projects will cause delays downtown, especially on South Main Street, Brown said.

Milling and paving of South Main Street from Public Square to Ross Street continues next week.

In addition, East Northampton Street between South Main and South Washington streets will be paved next week.

Preparations for the paving of Division Street between South Franklin and Vulcan streets also continues next week.

Hollenback Golf Course opened for the season on Wednesday.

“They’re following strict social distancing guidelines as set forth by the state Department of Health,” Brown said. He advised calling 570-821-1169 to schedule a tee time.

As restrictions are lifted in other parts of the state and across the country to allow businesses and activities to resume, Brown urged people to continue with the coronavirus mitigation efforts started more than a month ago.

”This is not a time to begin normal activities and erase all the strides we’ve made,” Brown said. He called for people to be vigilant about social distancing and wearing a face mask in public.

People requiring emergency transport by city fire department ambulances should try to protect against spreading the virus.

”I ask again, if possible, patients step outside of their home and wait for EMTs and paramedics to approach in order to reduce the potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus,” Brown said.

The Restaurant Emergency Relief Loan program has been off to a good start, Brown added. More than $141,000 in loans has been given to 21 local restaurant owners whose businesses have been affected by the government imposed mitigation efforts. Additional money is available and Brown directed owners of local, non-franchised restaurants to visit the city’s website, https://www.wilkes-barre.city/restaurantemergencyreliefloanprogram, to learn more about the program and apply for loans.

Brown closed his address on happy note.

“I wish you a happy, healthy Mother’s Day, whether you’re celebrating together or apart,” Brown said.