Grant money for flood mitigation, recreation and environmental projects in Lackawanna, Luzerne counties announced
Lackawanna and Luzerne counties received more than $700,000 in state grants for flood mitigation, recreation and environmental projects.
Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, announced the $736,585 in Act 13 grants Tuesday. Eight projects include five in Lackawanna County and three in Luzerne County.
Among them, Pittston will use $42,500 to improve accessibility and amenities along the Laurel Line Trail.
Mayor Mike Lombardo explained the city hopes to revitalize the land used by the former Laurel Line passenger rail, which operated between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in the early part of the 1900s.
'We did a walkability study a year or so ago, and said, 'How do we connect all of our neighborhoods together, but also with downtown,'' said Lombardo, describing a series of easements that run throughout the city. 'We are looking into reinvigorating those areas.'
He explained the money will spearhead 'a study to lay out a game plan,' and determine how to forge ahead regarding a path around town.
'What kind of infrastructure is going to be there, is it ground resurfacing? Is there lighting? Are their safety phones? That's essentially what we're doing,' said Lombardo, adding that there may be opportunities for additional use, such as informational signs, and 'micro-operations' like a bike shop, or kiosks that may offer provisions including smoothies, water or lunch to those out walking the trail.
'So, we'll have all these intersecting walking paths that people can use either for exercise, or to get places,' he said, putting an emphasis on the benefits the project will deliver to the area. 'Walkability and connectability is extremely important, not only for health benefits, but for the direct economic ties to it.'
In Scranton, $121,462 was awarded for flood mitigation and to alleviate flooding issues impacting local homes and businesses in the Stafford/Meadow Brook neighborhoods, a project Flynn and Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, had involvement in and commitment to, said Thom Welby, the chief of staff from the office of Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp.
Welby explained that the two lawmakers 'fought like crazy' to get the funding, and said that even though it wasn't Kosierowski's direct project, she supported it and spoke up for her compatriots, as all the Northeast delegates tend to do.
'They always try to help each other,' said Welby, describing aspects of the issue, including a residential home there that typically gets flooded. 'It's just a bad project.'
Additionally, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority was awarded $37,051 by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, Kosierowski said. Natural gas drilling fees under the Marcellus Legacy Fund supply the CFA with money, including those used in the the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which will be applied in construction and engineering costs to close a critical gap in the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Dickson City Borough.
'This project will create an important recreational and transportation corridor along the Lackawanna River starting at Railroad Street in Dickson City and continuing north to Eagle Lane,' Kosierowski said.
'These grants represent a significant investment in the safety, quality of life and environmental resilience of our communities,' said Flynn. 'From upgrading parks and trails to implementing vital flood mitigation projects, this funding will have a meaningful impact on residents throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.'
Rep. Jim Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp., who took a role in obtaining funds, specifically called out the Jenkins Twp. Main Street Flood Mitigation Project in Luzerne County as a meaningful grant for the community.
'There's some vacant land that people looked at developing a project on, and the water standing on the roadway became a deterrent to economic development,' he explained. 'So this one stemmed from something that was for the good for the environment, and maybe the land will now be developed in that area. So that's a great project,' he said, calling it a 'longstanding sore spot in Jenkins Twp.'
Haddock said he keeps in close contact with the 19 boroughs and townships he works with to understand the community's needs, which helps to determine who gets grants, and for what purposes. He said keeping lines of communication is imperative to being able to solve community problems.
'We've got to know what is on their wish list, and what problems they have, and then when grant opportunities come out, we can talk about potentials and what their needs are,' Haddock said.
Grant awards
Watershed recreation and protection projects:
Dalton: Dalton Streamside Park Enhancement Project (Lackawanna County): $82,264 to improve the park's ecological features and recreational facilities.
Scranton: Flood Mitigation for Stafford/Meadowbrook neighborhood (Lackawanna County): $121,462 to alleviate flooding issues impacting local homes and businesses.
Greenways, trails, and recreation projects:
Taylor: Noakes Park Upgrade (Lackawanna County): $45,582 to revitalize the community park.
Flood mitigation projects:
Lackawanna County: Dunmore Missy League Field Lighting Project — Second Field (Lackawanna County): $132,725.50 to install lighting and enhance facilities at the Missy League Field.
Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority: Lackawanna River Heritage Trail — Dickson City Rail Connector Development (Lackawanna County): $37,051 to advance the development of a critical trail connector.
Pittston City: Laurel Line Trail (Luzerne County): $42,500 to improve accessibility and amenities along the trail.
Pittston Twp.: Oriole Park Renovation Project (Luzerne County): $125,000 to upgrade park infrastructure and enhance recreational opportunities.
Jenkins Twp.: Main Street Flood Mitigation Project (Luzerne County): $150,000 to address flooding concerns and improve public safety in the area.
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