The City of Wilkes-Barre applauds Wilkes University for its recent reinvestment in the community, which will benefit both students, downtown residents, and the community at large.
Wilkes University recently completed a $1.7 million streetscape project that improves the Wilkes-Barre streets bordering its campus. Under a grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, new sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping and other infrastructure improvements were made on West South and South Franklin streets. In addition, a pedestrian crosswalk with crossing signals was installed in front the University’s Henry Student Center.
Funding includes $1,070,000 from the state and $590,000 contributed by Wilkes.The scope of the work is best conveyed in the amount of materials used to transform West South Street and South Franklin Street:
- Light poles installed: 40
- Tons of concrete: 876
- Linear feet of granite curb replaced or reset: 376
- Number of new trees: 33
- Number of different tree species planted: 8
- Linear feet of underground cable: 10,415
- Number of pavers installed: 25,475
“This project is an outstanding example of a public-private partnership. The efforts of our state and city leaders, combined with matching funds from Wilkes, have resulted in safety improvements that benefit our campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and downtown business community,” said Wilkes President Patrick F. Leahy.
“I am proud to call Wilkes University a partner in the revival of Wilkes-Barre. The University’s dedication, under the leadership of President Leahy, is inspiring other key stakeholders to collaborate with my administration on community improvement projects,” said Mayor Tony George. “I also thank Gov. Tom Wolf, State Sen. John Yudichak, and State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski for their continuous commitment to invest in the City of Wilkes-Barre.”
