Kanjorski, Commissioners Announce ‘Significant Progress' on Riverfront Plans

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that significant progress was achieved during a meeting he convened with the Luzerne County Commissioners and the Army Corps of Engineers to finalize plans for the revitalization of the Riverfront in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. The Riverfront Development project is part of the $200 million Wyoming Valley Levee-Raising Project, of which 75 percent of its flood control elements are paid by the federal government. The local sponsor, the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, is sharing the remaining cost with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"Now that we have succeeded in obtaining Agnes-level flood protection for the Wyoming Valley, we are able to concentrate on taking full advantage of the beauty of the Susquehanna River as a recreation destination," Congressman Kanjorski said. "Finally we are transforming the River from a threat into an asset, and I am pleased with the great cooperation between the federal government, the state, the county, the city and private partners to revitalize the Riverfront of downtown Wilkes-Barre."

Participants in today's meeting held at King's College included Congressman Kanjorski; representatives from the offices of Sen. Arlen Specter, Sen. Rick Santorum and Congressman Don Sherwood; State Representative Kevin Blaum; Luzerne County Commissioners Todd Vonderheid and Steve Urban; a team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and John Churnetski, chairman of the Riverfront Task Force organized by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry.

In 2000, the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority hired the Massachusetts-based firm Sasaki and Associates to design an attractive waterfront on the east side of the Susquehanna River roughly from the southern edge of the Wilkes University campus to the northern edge of the King's College campus and the Luzerne County Courthouse. What has become known as the "Sasaki Plan" includes public access to the River for fishing and boating, a 1.2 acre plaza, walking trails and an amphitheater for outdoor festivals and performances.

A key element of the Sasaki plan has already been adopted requiring the construction of a flood wall rather that the normal earthen levee to save the River Commons along the Wilkes-Barre reach. Working with then-Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Joseph Westphal in late 2000, Congressman Kanjorski obtained approval for the flood wall, with two openings called portals that allow pedestrian access to the River. The Army Corps of Engineers has been reviewing additional elements of the Sasaki Plan. Today's meeting followed up on a March meeting between Congressman Kanjorski and current Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Woodley.

The Corps of Engineers has given conceptual approval to providing federal funds for most elements of the Sasaki Plan. While total costs are still being calculated, it is expected that the majority of the project costs will be borne by the federal government. The necessary non-federal cost share will be paid for by the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Under the timeline outlined in today's meeting, the Corps intends to begin construction of the Riverfront Development Plan sometime next year. Construction is expected to last 12 to 18 months.

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