Downtown Wilkes-Barre Revitalization Momentum Continues (Scranton: city hall, college, bus)

[weluvpa]

LOL I work with Riverfront Commons group and am involved more then you know in events that take place there..LOL That's just funny. Your only reply is that I'm just negative.
Should I dig through the countless threads of hope and rainbows that talked about greatness at the expensive of the taxpayer in the valley that have only turned out to be pigs with lipstick..

Of course people are going to hang out at the riverfront, of course kids will hang around the theater....Dah

But as you said the apartments are empty, efficiencies at a modest price in a city with TWO colleges you would think would be rented, yet by your own statement they are empty.

As are the majority of the apartments in Scranton's downtown BECAUSE THERE IS NO DEMAND.....

[CoalCityTrash]

What events? The ones that pander to mainly small children & the elderly in a town of mostly teens & young adults in their 20's? Once again, the problem isn't bad location, it's bad planning.

[weluvpa]

No the Riverfest, for the past 3 years I have been involved with the planning and river trips.....

Nice try though, sour grapes doesn't suit you.

Bad planning is right and exactly why most if not all the pipe dreams never actually work out they way they tell you they will.

LOL where that money for the Sterling go again....ROFLMAO....

You continue to make my point for me, thank you.

[Pa Dutch]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

No the Riverfest, for the past 3 years I have been involved with the planning and river trips.....

Nice try though, sour grapes doesn't suit you.

Bad planning is right and exactly why most if not all the pipe dreams never actually work out they way they tell you they will.

LOL where that money for the Sterling go again....ROFLMAO....

You continue to make my point for me, thank you.

I have to agree with you. I was invited to riverfest this past summer, and it was hyped about how great it was. But, umm, has anyone up here actually attended a great festival? Riverfest was terrible, a few half assed attempts at food vendors, a bunch of vendors all smashed together under one crowded muddy tent, and a band across the way with a handful of people listening. There were the dragon boats, with about 20 people watching them.
Pretty lame festival by most standards.

[weluvpa]

Every year it does get better. Its hard to get people of the region to get involved in anything out of the norm. Last year wasn't that bad, but things do cost money and raising funds isn't easy. The kayak river trips are a big draw and there are many people on the river that you didn't see while they were on the trips down river.

I also work with a river fest in Tunkhannock which grows every year and its mission is education about the river and Eco-system..

Its not the planning, its the people that just don't come out and get involved, but its slowly growing.

How about volunteering this year, getting involved and helping it to grow.

The vendors were discussed and having the event go smoothly over a 3 day period is not easy.

[Pa Dutch]

I was actually invited by someone who is a volunteer. I think the layout was terrible. They had everything in this one small corner, and tons of open unused space.

No offense, but it seems that it is thrown together on the fly, with little layout planning. Christ, they couldn't even turn that splash thing on for the kids.

Even safety issues, where the barricades were pulled out of the ground leaving gaping holes.

But I did get to paddle a dragonboat, which was awesome.

I'd love to get involved, but I only work up here, and not for much longer. But, the bigger issue is Name removed due to potential libel issues. He is terrible at his position, probably got the job as a favor, and has no idea how to make the river common a recreational and cultural hub. Although this is just my opinion.

[Chefkey]

Ahh, Mudpits with Guys selling fried bread. Boiled ground meat they call a cheesesteak. Pour some cheap fake canned orange stuff called cheese on it and put it on a hot dog roll.

[W-B proud]

I agree that all of W-B's events are very poorly planned and executed. there is no organization. They don't even adaquately advertise any events. it is a shame too. Between The River Common and Kirby Park, and Nesbitt park all bordering each other, W-B has a massive public park area that SHOULD host major festivals and events, but there is no effort, no leadership, no organization. Between The Martz Pavillion, River Common amphitheater, Kirby Park, Kirby Center, Nesbitt park we have the all the venues a person can dream of to hold a whole host of major regional events to draw people to the city, but nobody is doing anything substantial to do it. W-B could have a major music festival here as well as many other things, but no one is picking up the ball.

[theatergypsy]

If you want to know what's going on, just pick up the paper - the day after the event! There's coverage of the event complete with pictures.

Now you may say that these things are advertised in the Electric City and the Weekender. But for some reason, these two papers are hard to find. And when you do find them, you have to wade through adverts for every bar and club in the area. There might be a blurb in the back listing some upcoming event but not all of them are featured.

I remember years ago that Kirby Park had band concerts on Sundays and tons of people showed up to hear them. I think it was the Stegmaier Band? There was always a cherry blossom festival and the park was buzzing with rides for the little kids, vendors, and bands playing all through the weekend. Parking was plentiful and yet I remember one year the lots were so full that we ended up parking on Northampton St. in Edwardsville.

I'm sure it costs money to put on an event such as this. But $6,000,000. was spent to "save" the Sterling, so I guess something had to go.

[CoalCityTrash]

See that? Enthusiastic people looking for things to do in Wilkes-Barre who all agree that city events don't go down well because you're bad at your job. It's not the area. Like I said, Wilkes-Barre's starting to boom again & for a small city, it's huge. It's not just a cool dream. It is 100% necessary that this area recieves better, more reliable transportation.