It’s Official: Wilkes-Barre City Council Approves Agreement To Revitalize Public Square

WILKES-BARRE, PA — The first hurdle is cleared.

Wilkes-Barre City Council on Thursday unanimously voted to enter into an agreement for the rehabilitation of Public Square. Once the deal is signed, the National Resource Network — a federal organization that aids cities facing economic hardship — will begin the process of securing a capital funding plan for the project.

The agreement was approved 4-0. Councilman Bill Barrett was excused from the meeting.

The National Resource Network will not fund the construction but will assist city officials in securing the project’s funding through both private and public revenue sources. The $66,000 agreement will require a 25 percent match, or $16,500.

Mayor Tom Leighton said the agreement will be signed Friday.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/153769631/

Potential Face-Lift In Store For Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square And Its Fountain

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Something’s shaping up on Public Square.
 
During Tuesday’s work session, Wilkes-Barre City Council will hear a resolution allowing city officials to enter into an agreement for the rehabilitation of Public Square, with the downtown hub’s long-defunct water fountain as one of the potential project’s main focuses.
 
Andrew LaFratte, municipal affairs manager, said the administration applied for a grant in December through the National Resource Network, an organization that provides assistance to cities facing economic challenges. The creation of the network was at the core of the Obama Administration’s “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” initiative, enacted in 2012 to spark development in ailing communities with help from the federal government.
 
To be considered eligible for assistance, cities must have over 40,000 residents and must meet one of three criteria, including a 2013 annual average unemployment rate of 9 percent or more, a population decline of 5 percent or more between 2000 and 2010, or a poverty rate of 20 percent or more.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/153665740/

Progress 2015: Wilkes-Barre, Pittston Lead Charge In Revamping Downtown Ecomomic Atmosphere

Shopping outside from store to store has almost become a thing of the past in some areas. But don’t tell that to downtowns in the Wyoming Valley, especially Wilkes-Barre and Pittston.

Downtown shopping in both communities is thriving thanks to the advancements each city has made over the past several years. Couple that with the excitement and enthusiasm of business owners and residents and youv’e got a recipe for success. The success in downtown Wilkes-Barre starts with Public Square.

Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association President John Mayday, who is a resident of South Wilkes-Barre and does all of his shopping in the downtown area, said the excitement and enthusiasm is something he hasn’t seen before. And it can only get better, he said.

“New businesses are constantly moving in,” he said. “Our mission is to create the opportunities for our customers and residents to come downtown. They’re been absolutely well-received by the public.”

Read more:

http://www.timesleader.com/news/business-home_top-local-news/152539268/Downtowns-looking-up

Submissions For Wilkes-Barre Fine Arts Fiesta Due Saturday

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Wilkes-Barre’s 60th Fine Arts Fiesta “A Diamond in the Square” will once again bring a sense of culture and beauty to public square May 14-17.

Gary T. Womelsdorf, a board member and visual arts chairman, is busy preparing for the event’s adult and student juried art exhibitions and wants to remind artists that delivery of artwork is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Fiesta Central, Midtown Village, 41 S. Main St. near Katana Restaurant.

Any artist living within a radius of 100 miles is eligible to compete.

Artwork can be submitted and judged in six specific categories: crafts, graphics, paintings, photography, sculpture/construction and water color.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/home_top-local-news/152894100/

Arts Gallery Could Make Way For Downtown Wilkes-Barre Market

WILKES-BARRE, PA — A market may be coming to downtown Wilkes-Barre soon.

Arts Seen Gallery is being asked to move out of space at 21 Public Square to make way for City Market and Cafe, said Kim Kulagina, the volunteer operations manager of the art gallery, and Tamara Pilger, a stained glass artist at the gallery. Kulagina said landlord Rob Finlay, president of Humford Equities, told them the art gallery had to leave for City Market to move in and the market is awaiting a liquor license.

A source active with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, speaking on the condition of anonymity, also said City Market and Cafe plans to open in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Discussions about City Market and Cafe opening downtown have been ongoing for a while and officials were looking for a suitable place, the source said.

City Market and Cafe, which has another location at Linden Street and Adams Avenue in downtown Scranton, offers eat-in and take-out prepared foods, a deli, bakery, grocery, dairy, frozen food, fresh produce, customized sandwiches and pizza and a vast selection of beer.

Read more:

http://citizensvoice.com/news/arts-gallery-could-make-way-for-downtown-w-b-market-1.1861722

Man Allegedly Threatened People In Downtown Wilkes-Barre With Crossbow

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — A man was arrested after he allegedly threatened people walking downtown with a loaded crossbow.

Police were dispatched to South Main Street at about 5:20 p.m. for a report of a male wearing a poncho and carrying a loaded crossbow.

Reports were made that the male had fired the crossbow at a moving vehicle and pointed it at several people.

Officers located the male, identified as Joseph Warnagiris, 29, of Wilkes-Barre, who had his hands hidden under his poncho, police said.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/50705500/Man-allegedly-threatened-people-with-crossbow

Results Released On Wilkes-Barre Downtown Survey

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WILKES-BARRE — Thursday seemed like the best possible day to release a report on a downtown survey.
 
Public Square was filled with people attending the weekly farmers’ market and Mother Nature cooperated by offering a spectacular day of sunshine.
 
Patty Kopec and her daughter, Frankie, were enjoying some of the food and sunshine. Even with no entertainment on the band shell stage, the Kopecs raved about the city and the downtown and said they wished more events were planned for Public Square.
 
“It needs this kind of stuff,” Patty Kopec said. “It needs more events that appeal to families.”

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/50098707/Results-released-on-downtown-survey%23.U-P3K8JH2i4#.U-T5m_RDsxI

King’s College Among Three Interested In Buying Former Springbrook Water Co. Building

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — King’s College has submitted a proposal to purchase the former four-story Springbrook Water Co. property in Wilkes-Barre from Luzerne County.

The county sought proposals from prospective buyers as part of an initiative to shed unused properties and generate revenue for the cash-strapped county government.

Three entities submitted purchase proposals by last week’s deadline, said county Purchasing Director Mark Zulkoski. County officials say copies of all proposals will be publicly released before county council votes on options.

John Loyack, King’s College vice president for business affairs, confirmed the institution submitted a proposal but said he will leave it up to the county to release of the offered dollar amount.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/1538937/Kings-College-among-three-interested-in-buying-Luzerne-County-property

Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade Date Set

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The city of will hold its 34th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16. The parade route will begin at South Main and South streets and will travel along South Main to Public Square, around the F.M. Kirby Center and end at the intersection of North Main and Union streets.

All ages are welcome to enjoy the parade activities and performances throughout the day. Children are invited to Barnes & Noble College Bookstore for a St. Patrick’s Day story hour at noon. Just Plain Crazy Face Art will also be available at noon on Public Square with parade themed artwork for children and adults.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news-news/1230827/W-B-St.-Patricks-Day-Parade-date-set

Luxury Apartments Planned In Former Wilkes-Barre Bank

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE – Six floors of the historic Citizens Bank building in downtown Wilkes-Barre soon will be converted into 72 luxury apartments.

DxDempsey Architecture in Scranton is designing the apartments in one of the city’s tallest office buildings on West Market Street.

“It’s a very exciting project,” said architect Michelle Dempsey, president of the firm. “It’s in the works and there are still some financial hurdles to leap over, but it’s looking good. Living downtown is great for the downtown. People who live downtown shop downtown and it makes it a safe place. People living downtown is the first step to a successful revitalization.”

The historic bank building was designed by architect Daniel Burnham, who also designed icons like the Flatiron Building in New York City and was a main character in the book, “The Devil in the White City.”

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/luxury-apartments-planned-in-former-bank-1.1628877

City Of Wilkes-Barre 2013 Christmas Parade

Latest Phase Of Wilkes-Barre Streetscape Project Completed

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — State and federal funds paid for the latest phase of the city’s latest streetscape project, and Mayor Tom Leighton on Thursday said more money will be sought to complete the improvements downtown.

Sheltered from the rain under the overhang of an office building on Public Square, Leighton and more than a dozen state, city and local economic development officials stood on a section of concrete sidewalk poured in the summer and marked the completion of Phase 5 of the project with a ribbon cutting.

The mayor thanked the downtown businesses for their patience during construction that brought new walks, trees and curbing on a quarter of the Square from South Main Street to North Main Street and along East Market Street to Washington Street.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/950645/Latest-phase-of-W-B-streetscape-project-completed

King’s Confirms Ramada Purchase

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WILKES-BARRE, PA — King’s College confirmed Monday that it has agreed to purchase the Ramada hotel property located at 20 Public Square for $2.7 million.

King’s also is seeking $7 million in state funding to purchase and renovate the hotel to accommodate expansion of its physician assistant program.

The college has applied for the funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program that is proposed in state Senate Bill 680. The legislation has been approved by the state House and Senate and is now in Gov. Tom Corbett’s office.

If approved, the legislation would provide the project with $7 million in state funding to be matched by the college, making for a $14 million project.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/941057/Kings-confirms-Ramada-purchase

Ramada Near Deal With King’s College, Sources Say

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WILKES-BARRE, PA —The King’s College physician-assistant program has attracted several hundred applicants, and the college is looking for space to allow that expansion.

Apparently, that space might be the Ramada Hotel on Public Square.

Although sources said no deal has been struck to date, several indicated that there is a strong interest from King’s in the 105-room hotel that opened in the 1980s as the Sheraton-Crossgates.

Tony Grosek, owner of the Ramada, said he has been talking to college officials about entering into a long-term deal, but Grosek said he couldn’t confirm that anything has been finalized.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/933106/Ramada-near-deal-with-Kings-College-sources-say

Hotel Sterling Demo Could Change More Than Just The Landscape

English: Hotel Sterling, Wilkes-Barre (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Ali Kazimi’s arrival at work was memorable Tuesday because the seven-story Hotel Sterling next door was almost entirely demolished.

“It was strange. You can see the eagles on the Market Street Bridge from our property.  We have a riverfront view,” said Kazimi, the third-generation owner of M. Abraham Importer on West Market, which opened by the once bustling Sterling in 1927.

Kazimi looks forward to losing that view to new development on the 4-acre Sterling parcel.  City officials condemned and demolished the former hotel and plan to seize the cleared lot from its nonprofit owner, CityVest, so the site can be marketed and sold to a private developer.

Read more:   http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/715688/View-from-River-and-Market-is-optimistic

Latest Phase Of Downtown Streetscape Project More Than Halfway Done

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE — The sun beat down on the newly poured concrete sidewalks outside Mimmo’s Pizza, and inside Mark Bronsburg thought about the winter.

Construction workers have been toiling in the heat and humidity to dig up the old walkways as part of the latest phase of the downtown Streetscape project and replace them to smooth the way for people going around Public Square.

Bronsburg looked forward to an easier job shoveling snow without jamming a shovel against an upraised sidewalk paver.

He’s among the business owners around the Square who’ve been waiting for improvements to be made to match those on the opposite side.  He’s also willing to put up with short-term inconveniences.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/669883/Latest-phase-of-downtown-Streetscape-project-more-than-halfway-done

Steve Martin Offers Thanks To Wilkes-Barre Good Samaritan Who Returned Lost Wallet

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WILKES-BARRE — In a city where recent thefts have some pedestrians clutching their iPhones and purses a little tighter, one lost wallet actually found its way home Tuesday.

Its owner?  Actor, comedian and musician Steve Martin.  Its rescuer?  He still remains clouded in mystery.

“Honesty survives in Wilkes-Barre,” Martin said through a spokeswoman.  “The gentleman couldn’t have been sweeter, nicer, kinder, and his Batman-like rescue of my wallet is one more reason to remember Wilkes-Barre.”

Martin was in town for a one-night appearance at the F.M. Kirby Center on Public Square, where he performed Tuesday evening with Edie Brickell with the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/646654/An-honest-decent-guy-helps-out-a-wild-and-crazy-one

Wilkes-Barre Farmers Market Is Back, And With It Comes The Sights And Smells Of Summer

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE — Three young men were walking around the Farmers’ Market on Thursday around noon and one of them said, “Wow, there sure are a lot of good smells here.”

An accurate assessment of the opening of the 40th Farmers’ Market on Public Square. But the smells weren’t the only things for the senses to enjoy — there were tastes, bargains, music, sunshine and fun.

“There’s lots of stuff here,” said Debbie Rutkoski of Larksville, who was on her lunch break from her job at Wilkes University.  “This is so good for the downtown.

I wish there were more events on Public Square.”

Larry Newman, executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, the key downtown management organization in the city, said there will be more events downtown.  He said the Farmers’ Market is the embodiment of a city’s downtown.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/615828/W-Bs-roots-return-to-city

City Of Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade, Saturday, November 19th

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If you love Christmas, and all things associated with it, the place to be tomorrow is Wilkes-Barre.  Saturday, November 19th is the Wilkes-Barre Christmas parade plus a fun-filled day of holiday activities in the city.  The best part of all is that it is FREE!

The fun starts at 10am with the showing of A Christmas Story at Movies 14, downtown.  If you bring an unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots, you get in FREE!

From noon until 1pm, you can enjoy a free Christmas concert by the King’s College Cantores Christi Regis Singers in the lobby of the Ramada, also downtown.

At 12:30pm, for those who aren’t in the mood for a concert, there is Storytelling at Barnes & Noble.  You can meet Mrs. Claus and enjoy a Christmas story.

At 1:30pm there is a concert at the F.M. Kirby Center.  The YOUniveristy Suzuki Strings will be playing in the lobby.  Come out and show your support for these young people!

At 2:00pm there is a Christmas Carol sing-a-long on Public Square.

From 2:00pm until 6pm there will be holiday face painting on Public  Square.   That will cost you $5.00 per face 🙂

At 3:15pm the main event begins.   The Christmas Parade featuring Santa, floats, music and tons of fun begins at South and S. Main Street.  There are four divisions this year.

Immediately after the parade, there will be a tree lighting ceremony on Public Square.  There will be photos with Santa for $5.00 to benefit Valley Santa, courtesy of Boscov’s.  There will also be complimentary (free) hot chocolate from the Salvation Army and the Wilkes-Barre Lion’s Club.

The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association sponsored a window decorating contest this year (Window Wonderland) and over 40 businesses have decorated their windows to add even more holiday spirit to this year’s event!

It’s Christmas time in the city!

Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade Scheduled For Saturday

The annual Wilkes-Barre Christmas parade will take place this Saturday, November 20th.  The parade, which is part of a day full of activities, will start at 3:15 p.m. at the corner of South and South Main Streets.

Other events include a Christmas Carol sing-a-long, story-telling for kids and the tree lighting ceremony on Public Square after the parade.

It’s Christmas time in the city!