Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti joined Todd Pousley, Community Development Manager at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, to dedicate a new City-owned parking lot in West Scranton at the corner of N. Main Avenue and Price Street. As a part of NeighborWorks’ West Scranton Neighborhood Plan, the project was managed by the non-profit organization and will serve nearby small businesses while improving the safety and aesthetic of West Scranton’s business district.
“We know how important parking availability is to small businesses, and our team is focused on increasing West Scranton’s economic vitality,” Mayor Cognetti said. “The improvements to this parking lot work toward this vision and set an example for other lots in the City.”
The parking lot has been transformed with pavement resurfacing and striping, additions of concrete curbs and islands, decorative fencing, landscaping, upgraded lighting, and the installation of a “West Scranton Business District” monument sign.
The West Scranton Neighborhood Plan is NeighborWorks’ comprehensive, 10-year development strategy for improving the West Scranton neighborhood. In partnership with the City and other community partners, the plan focuses on park improvements, walkability, business support, and building community identity.
“This dedication celebration highlights our efforts over the past year and a half to bring this lot to residents and revitalize the neighborhood,” Pousley said. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the City to revitalize West Scranton.”
This project was funded through a combination of dollars from the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a Keystone Communities Implementation Grant, administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development. The parking lot received $125,000 in CDBG funds and $50,000 from the Keystone Communities Program.
