Williamsport, Pa. — A planned extension of the Susquehanna River Walk will soon begin where it left off now that city council has granted property access rights for the project to carry on.
“It will be a huge asset” for Williamsport when complete, commented Councilwoman Liz Miele during Thursday night’s council meeting, also saying it’s “a big deal for the county in general.”
The city council late last year gave initial approval for the extension project to carry on at a request by Mayor Derek Slaughter, according to Gary Knarr, the city’s zoning administrator. But in order for it to go on, the city needed to approve easement rights to properties on West Third Street, Rose Street, parcels on Elm Street and Berger Alley with the county.
“This closes that part out,” Knarr said Thursday night of the easement agreements needed between the city and Lycoming County in order for the extension project to pan out. In a memo two weeks ago to council members, Knarr explained how the trail’s new segment will extend west from where it currently ends at Maynard Street, and will provide a connection to the Lycoming Creek Bikeway, the center of the Newberry community, Susquehanna State Park and the Reach Road Park and Ride spot.
The river walk is known to contribute to tourism and the local economy. And the city’s nod of approval will allow for the river walk’s expansion process to continue. “This additional trail segment will broaden access to a key recreational amenity of the greater Williamsport community,” Knarr wrote. The project itself will cost well over $100,000 and will be paid for by grants through the Lycoming County commissioners and the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Miele added how she looks forward to possibly seeing other extensions in later years.
City officials had also approved a property demolition request after a conversation on a blighted and now condemned property at 961 E. Third Street, next to Horizon Federal Credit Union.
“It’s really deteriorating,” according to Knarr who said the demolition request came from the owner, who lives in the greater Williamsport area but was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting. “It was just too costly” to possibly rehab, Knarr explained. He said the owner is weighing options but looking to put in a modular home. The property was put on the city’s blighted list in 2023 due to an unknown burst pipe, deterioration and eventual rot beyond repair. A contractor is “lined-up” to tear down the building, he said.
In other business, the city council also approved a $129,414 buy for a 2024 Ford F-600 truck at the request of Scott Livermore, public works director. It will replace a 2008 snow plow truck used during the winter season. The money will come out of the liquid fuels line item of the budget. The city will give five annual payments of $30,280, financed through Jersey Shore State Bank.
The new truck holds 3,000 pounds more than the current truck and will be “more versatile” in places like Newberry, according to Livermore’s deputy, who spoke in his place. At this point it would cost more money to keep fixing the old truck, he explained. The new truck is intended to give the streets and parks department an ability to haul more things and stay on the streets longer.
The next city council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thurs., May 9 on the third floor of Trade & Transit II, 144 West Third Street. A Police Pension meeting will immediately follow.
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