Willamsport Revitalizatin (Allentown, Scranton, Williamsport: 2009, apartment, loft)

[danwxman]

Williamsport revitalization project will begin in 2009
by The Associated Press
Wednesday November 12, 2008, 12:12 PM

WILLIAMSPORT-- Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2009 on a $75 million revitalization project in Williamsport.

Eureka Place will be located at the former Eureka Paper Box plant.

Plans call for a six-story, 250-room hotel, a four-story "Vision Theater," a 30,000-square-foot multipurpose center, a four- to five-story parking garage for more than 800 vehicles, and a 25-room upscale apartment building.

...

Does anyone have more details on this project? Sounds exciting for a city that really needs a boost.

[ScranBarre]

I always liked Williamsport. The people there were absolutely golden when I came to visit for my popular photo tour last year. As soon as people found out I was a tourist they rolled out the welcome mat for me. In some other parts of the state people put up barriers when they find out that you're an "outsider," but that was not my experience in Billtown. Hell, I even had a man at the chamber of commerce run down a flight of stairs after me to hand me a brochure that he had found after I had left their office. You don't see such dedication to visitors in many other areas.

Yes, violent crime may be high for a city of just 30,000, but the city was pleasantly clean and attractive (and I found out that I actually missed an entire "nice" part of the city along Grampian Boulevard). I can't wait to return for a second visit to the Bullfrog Brewery or the Community Arts Center. Downtown is getting a Kohl's and is already home to a Wegman's. I believe a movie theater is also now open near to the downtown district---it would be a great time for a developer reading this thread to consider bringing some sort of mid-priced loft housing project to the city since you have almost everything you need at your fingertips.

It's a shame we don't have more Williamsport members on this forum besides bobsmith. That city could truly use some more publicity. It's a great place. If anyone from Williamsport wants to ever visit Scranton I'll gladly extend the same courtesy in being a "tour guide" that many people out their afforded me.

[wanneroo]

The downtown is looking really good. I just saw Terry Fator at the Community arts center and it was great. Also the movie theater downtown is now open. The mayor seems to have his head on straight and is doing a great job.

The main problem with Williamsport is that is has one of the most liberal welfare programs in the country which attracts professional welfare junkies. They collect a nice check and then spend their days dealing drugs or shooting one another. There have also been two home invasions very recently where a gang is spying on peoples houses and when they let the dog out at night, they invade the home. There have also been a number of shootings recently. I think if they can get rid of the welfare most of these dirtbags will go away. Apparently the FBI is sending a task force to clear the bad guys out and put people in prison for a while. Also I have noticed since the new mayor came on the police are very visible now.

In most of the city I don't feel threatened at all. There are just certain streets that the bad guys seem to cling too. I'd avoid any street with people lounging around on it. Many of the neighborhoods though are beautiful.

The place to eat now in town I can recommend is Vincenzo's. Travelling west on I-180 it's the next exit past Hepburn street and then across the street from Burger King. It is a small place, but probably the best cheesesteaks, chicken steaks and pizza in PA I've had. Prices are very good too. I've already eaten there 4 times in the past month and I only go to Williamsport maybe twice a month.

[ScranBarre]

Thanks for the tip on Vincenzo's. I'll have to scope it out the next time I'm in town!

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Thanks for the tip on Vincenzo's. I'll have to scope it out the next time I'm in town!

It opened up about 2 months ago or so and it seems to be catching on. Whoever does the baking there is spot on. I can't think of a better thin crust pizza I've had recently. Ask for the pita style bread for subs, it's perfect. A lot of restaurants use the bog standard chopped steaks from Sysco, but at Vincenzo's it's hand sliced ribeye for the cheesesteaks. Perfect. Because I like everything on the menu, my sister and I get a cheesesteak and a small pizza then split it.

[bobsmith]

That would be a great development in Williamsport! I've only been here a few months but the city is already showing signs of a place that is making a comeback. The downtown here is very nice and for a few blocks (say, starting on Market Street going west a few blocks on either Third or Forth Street) has a big-city vibe. I like to bike down Fourth Street then back up Third just to sight-see. The Wegman's is great inside (all Wegman's I've been to are) and has a good location to the Downtown.

Also, when walking or biking through the city I tend to see City busses fairly frequently. In fact, I think Williamsport actually has a better bus system then Allentown, which is several times larger. It is also a minor bus hub as it is Susquehanna Trailway's main hub, I believe.

I think Williamsport's biggest problem (besides crime, which isn't really that bad here compared to many other cities) is the lack of jobs. Hopefully downtown revitilisation projects would be taking this into consideration. I'd love to see a new 10 to 20 story office building in Center City--the infastructure could definitely support it, and it would be a clear sign the city is growing. Beyond its practical uses it would also be a symbolic becon to signal that this is the city in the region where things are going on.

[Dawne]

I noticed a city bus at the Lycoming Mall the other night and see that they're now privately owned and not operated by the city any more. They used to be Williamsport Bus Transit (WBT) and now it's River Valley Transit (RVT). I grew up in Montoursville and lived right next to one of the bus stops. I didn't ride often, but when I did it was kind of weird. Usually when I ride a bus it's with a group of people I know. The city bus was full of strangers using it for basic transportation and no one talked to anyone else. I guess if you were a regular you'd get to know the other regulars and perhaps strike up conversations.