Mayor George C. Brown announced the launch of Wilkes-Barre City’s Office of Economic and Community Development’s 2024 Community Survey on Monday.
The city’s Office of Economic & Community Development is getting ready for their 2024 Annual Action Plan, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mayor Brown said these plans help to tackle the most urgent housing and community development needs in Wilkes-Barre and outlines strategies to address those priority needs, as identified by the community. He also said that citizen participation is a crucial part of the 2024 Annual Action Plan and a brief survey has been made to allow the voices of the community to be heard.
Mayor Brown encourages everyone who lives, works, or visits Wilkes-Barre for education, entertainment, or recreational purposes to take a few minutes to complete the online community survey.
The city greatly appreciates community participation and encourages people to share the survey with friends and family.
You can access the survey directly online at — https://forms.gle/YYvZAnqPthnWW7Cg6 — or through a link on the city’s website — www.wilkes-barre.city/communitysurvey.
The deadline for responses is Friday, May 3.
Printed surveys are also available through the Office of Economic and Community Development, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 40 East Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.
Mayor Brown presents Key to City to John McCarthy Jr.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown recently presented a Key to the City and a proclamation to John McCarthy Jr.
McCarthy was honored Friday night as the “Man of the Year” by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their 78th Annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner.
McCarthy has served as President of McCarthy Tire Service since 1997. McCarthy Tire Service was founded in 1926 in Wilkes-Barre and remains a cornerstone of commerce in the Diamond City, almost 100 years later.
McCarthy’s has led McCarthy Tire to become the fifth largest independent commercial tire dealer in the country, with more than 75 locations and 1,500 employees in eight states. Their national headquarters remain in Wilkes-Barre City.
Mayor Brown said he was pleased to honor Mr. McCarthy not only for his contribution to the local economy as an employer and business owner, but also for his service and leadership on numerous local philanthropic boards.
‘Aimee’s Story’ set for Wednesday on the campus of King’s College
Wilkes-Barre City Mayor George C. Brown announced the City of Wilkes-Barre’s partnership with the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department, King’s College, Wilkes University, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County Community College, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and Gastroenterologist Dr. Thomas Mangan to host a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Event next month.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Mayor Brown’s daughter, Aimee Kearney, a colorectal cancer survivor, will host the event and tell her story.
The event is set for Wednesday, March 20, at 6 p.m., in the Burke Auditorium of the McGowan School of Business, King’s College, North River Street and West Union Street. Parking will be available at the McGowan lot accessed in the cul-de-sac at 133 North Franklin St.
The event will be available for everyone to attend, and there will be a link for online registration announced. The program will feature a panel discussion with doctors from Geisinger and Commonwealth Health.
Information shows that Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) has a higher proportion of colorectal cancer.
The program will feature a statement from Mayor Brown’s daughter, Aimee Kearney, who recently fought and recovered from colorectal cancer.
City Council meeting to discuss work matters on Tuesday regular meeting on Thursday
Wilkes-Barre City Council will gather for a work session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and hold its regular meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers on the fourth floor of City Hall, 40 E. Market St.
Items on the agenda include:
• Allowing the appropriate city officials to sign all necessary documents related to awarding the contract for the Kirby Park ADA Walkway and Pier Project to the lowest responsible bidder.
• Permitting the proper city officials to sign all necessary documents related to hiring Kavulich Construction Company to replace the floor at the Hollenback Fire Station.
• Permitting the proper city officials to enter into an agreement with the lowest, responsible bidder, Kuharchik Construction, in the amount of $101,686.00 for the Traffic Signal Infrastructure Improvement Project. The project will be funded through the PennDOT Green Light Go grant program and the City’s Liquid Fuels account.
• Reappointing Frank Majikes and Phil Latinski to the Police Civil Service Commission.
• Reappointing Carl Naessig, Tom Unvarsky and Francis “Thomas” Collis to the Traffic Committee.
• Reappointing Jean Brodie, Anthony Thomas and Dave Wilson to the Planning Commission.
Zoning Board meets on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
The City of Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board will gather on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 4th Floor, City Hall.
A public hearing will be held at 4:30 p.m., concerning the following zoning appeal applications:
• Bulldog BBQ Sauce LLC, for the property located within an R-2 zone at 773 South Franklin St., to request a variance to establish a restaurant. A variance to waive the maximum width of a driveway from a 20-foot width limit to a 30-foot width. A variance to waive the required 6-foot opaque fence screening requirement. A variance to waive SECTION 1014: GRADING, PAVEMENT AND DRAINAGE of the Wilkes-Barre City zoning ordinance.
• KB Worship Centre International Ministries for the property located within a C-1 zone at 269 South Washington St. to request a special exception to establish a church inside a building containing eight apartments.
A special exception is also requested to allow shared parking of four spaces on another lot not owned by the applicant, located at 257 South Washington St. A variance is asked to waive eight parking spaces for the proposed use and a variance to Section 1009(b) to waive the required written documentation that the number of parking spaces shall be retained upon such other lot throughout the life of the principal use which it serves.
• Braulio Rodriguez for the property located within an R-1 zone at 51-53 Forrest St., to request a special exception to change a non-conforming use from a 2-unit residential dwelling changed to a 4-unit dwelling. A special exception to allow shared parking of six spaces on another lot not owned by the applicant, located near 32 Forrest St. A variance to Section 1009(b) to waive the required written documentation that the number of parking spaces shall be retained upon such other lot throughout the life of the principal use which it serves.
• Alberto Rodriguez wants to make changes to a property in an R-1 area at 777 South Franklin St. He wants to switch from an auto repair business (no painting or body work) to one that includes body work (no painting), and to add a used car business with a maximum of 20 vehicles. He also needs permission to display used cars closer to the street than normally allowed.
• Juan Felix Restituyo Tejada seeks approval to build a 15-foot by 25-foot garage on a property in an R-1 zone at 120 Hickory St., and needs a variance to increase the maximum building coverage from 40% to 53%.
• Moon Beams Daycare Center wants to start a daycare for eight unrelated children and two of their own on a property in an R-1 zone at 136 Charles St. They also need permission for a driveway wider than the limit for the area.
• A M Z Property Preservation wants to start a property preservation business on a property in an R-1 zone at Rear 57 West Chestnut St. The property includes a 2400 square foot vacant commercial building, and they need a variance for this.
City Parking Authority meets Tuesday at noon
The Wilkes-Barre City Parking Authority will meet Tuesday, March 19, at noon at the North Parking Garage Board Room, 30 North Main St.
