Post on 20-Jan-2016
DISTRICT A PRESENTATION
Monday, April 18, 2011
Firwood Methodist Church
City of Wilkes-Barre, Inc.
$250 million corporation $183 million balance sheet $45 million operating budget 300 employees 4 labor unions
Downtown Revitalization
Largest tax base in the city Declining prior to 2004 because of neglect
Tax assessment appeals prior to 2004 decreased tax base and shifted burden to residential property owners
Increasing downtown tax base was vital to maintain basic services citywide
Downtown Revitalization
Reversed the vacancy trend 53 New businesses 14,000 DT Workers
4th largest in state $1.1 million in new tax revenue from DT A-Stable Credit Rating
Issuing debt is easier and less expensive Fosters investment in Wilkes-Barre
Erased a $37.5 million deficit State and federal grants vital to these successes
District A Investments [2004-Present]
Paved 11.1 miles over 48 Streets $3.1 million
Total Sewer Repair=$465,000 320 Catch Basins repaired/replaced
$601,000 Debris removal- Solomon Creek
$800,000 Solomon Creek Wall Repairs= $120,000 Waller, S Franklin, Regent, Barney St. Bridges
$10.6 million Total Investment= $15.7 million
2011 Infrastructure ProjectsDistrict A
2011 Paving Projects: Stanley Street Charles Street New Alexander Street S Main [Blackman to Penn. Ave.] New Elizabeth Street [Carey Ave.-Old River Rd.] Corlear Street [Carey Ave.- Old River Rd.] Beekman Street [Carey Ave.- Old River Rd.] Catlin Ave. [Old River Rd. to dead end] Thayer Street [Catlin St. loop]
Solomon Creek wall repair at Gregory St. Strauss Lane Bridge= footer repair
Demolitions
Demolished 125 abandoned and blighted properties citywide
Monroe Street Properties
Past Present
Carey Avenue Demolitions
Miner Park Basketball Courts
City Wide Investments2004-Present
Paved 39 miles over 162 Streets $12 million
Bridge Repairs- 5 completed $10.4 million
Catch Basins- 1,317= $2,628,000 Sewer Repair- $2.5 million Creek wall maintenance- $3.8 million 4 Streetscape Phases- $8.5 million 3 new playgrounds- $600,000 Golf course/athletic fields- $1.1 million
Neighborhood Infrastructure Investments= $47.5 million
Public Safety Police Department
29 new police officers on the street 250 camera citywide surveillance system Reinstated K-9 and S.W.A.T. unit Replaced bullet-proof vests for entire dept.
twice Purchased tasers and related equipment Purchased new police radio antenna Records Management system 18 new vehicles to the fleet
Public Safety Fire Department
Invested over $3 million in WBFD Purchased:
1 ladder truck- 3 Fire Engines 3 Ambulances Asst. Chief’s Vehicle
85 sets of Bunker Gear 70 Helmets Built Hollenback Fire Station Response Time= 3:27 [below national average]
Rental Property Regulations
Rental inspections valid for 2 years Re-inspection mandated if tenants change
Property owners outside of 15 miles must have local property manager Required Real Estate license
“3-Strikes” Ordinance Authorizes city to immediately close nuisance
properties 3 disruptive conduct reports from police and/or
serious health or code violations
Rental Inspections
Month Rental Insp. Re-Insp. Complaints
September 94 22 25
October 155 27 22
November 148 19 21
December 377 17 7
January 121 22 13
February 104 19 21
March 278 27 10
Total 1277 153 119
Health Department Statistics
2010 Health Inspectors Statistics
1404
3169
1577
2969
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
Complaints Follow-ups
2010
2009
Intermodal Center
Past Present
Intermodal Center
Courtright Housing Development
Past Present
Courtright Housing Development
Courtright Housing Development
Pine Ridge
Past Present
Mill Street Homes
Past Present
Coal Street Park
Past Present
Coal Street Park
Past Present
Coal Street Playground
Downtown
Past Present
Streetscape
Past Present
Lighting Downtown
Past Present
River Common
South Main StreetPastPresent
Northampton Street
Past Present
Elevations Ribbon-Cutting
Iron Triangle- 10/7/2010
Iron Triangle- 10/7/2010