Freeman announces $3.5 million awarded for new parking facility

HARRISBURG, Dec. 6 – A $3.5 million state grant will be used toward building a new 245-space parking facility at the site of The Confluence project in Easton, announced state Rep. Robert Freeman. The city of Easton was the grantee for the project.

The project will construct a 245-space parking facility for visitors and residents on a current vacant city lot at 185 S. Third St. In addition, a pedestrian bridge will connect people with the Easton Transportation Center garage.

“This new parking facility will be a welcome addition in downtown Easton,” said Freeman, D-Northampton. “I’m pleased to have played a part in helping the city to acquire the funding for this important investment.”

In addition, Freeman noted that $500,000 was approved for Wilson Borough to renovate Meuser Pool and $500,000 was approved for Heritage Riverview to continue renovating the old Heritage Lanes bowling alley for office space in Easton.

The money was provided through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a commonwealth matching grant program administered by the governor’s Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenue or other measures of economic activity. The projects cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.