Mullins, Welby welcome nearly $9 million state investment in local projects
Rep. Kyle Mullins October 26, 2022 | 7:31 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Reps. Kyle Mullins and Thom Welby said $8.975 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants today were awarded for multiple projects in Scranton and surrounding communities.
“It’s always a pleasure to see the state invest tax dollars back into our area for worthwhile projects that will benefit local businesses, improve the lives of residents and revitalize old buildings,” said Mullins, D-Lackawanna.
“These grants represent the good that can be done for our communities when we work together for the betterment of the region. I would like to thank Governor Tom Wolf for recognizing the important enhancements that these grants will have on our area and for releasing the RACP funds,” said Welby, D-Lackawanna.
The legislators said the grants include:
$2 million for the 1100 Penn Avenue Development project in Scranton that entails the acquisition and complete renovation of this former manufacturing site comprising two buildings on one parcel into a mixed-use, residential and commercial complex. Updates will include systems upgrades, utilities infrastructure, window and roof repair or replacement, floor coverings, ADA accessibility, parking, site work, and space design that will facilitate build out for residential and commercial tenants.
$1 million to O.S. Johnson Technical Institute for engineering, sitework and construction of a 2,500-square-foot expansion of Woolworth Hall to expand the HVAC and ECT program laboratories. Also included is engineering, sitework and construction of a Transportation Education Center, consolidating training facilities for the Automotive, Diesel, Heavy Equipment and Aviation Technology programs to house critical real-world hands-on technology. It also involves final construction of a new gateway building.
$1 million to expand the Lakeside NEPA Inc. facility to include inpatient rehabilitation and assist in combating COVID-19-driven mental health issues. It involves demolition, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire suppression, site work, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and paving at the current facility.
$1 million to the Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania to redevelop and improve the over 60-year-old bones of the Scranton building. The goal is to revitalize the building's internal and external structures, improve/modernize the HVAC system to provide regionalized heating and cooling, improve the plumbing system throughout the facility and build out the structural capacity to house a dialysis unit. The project will make significant investments into structural improvements, electrical systems, plumbing systems, heating units, cooling units and demolition/construction.
$1 million for the Olyphant Small Business Expansion Project that involves the construction of an additional building on the headquarters property, the expansion of the stockroom, and expansion of the office space. The successful completion of the Olyphant Small Business Expansion Project will allow for the continued expansion of this business.
$975,000 for the Biden Street Historic Renovation project in Scranton that will focus on renovations to the Scranton Life Building. It will repair and replace the terra cotta and masonry facade, the roof and parapets in order to protect the life span of this historic building. It will also address the building envelope repairs holistically along with the terra cotta repairs and restoration.
$500,000 for the 333 Jefferson Ave.-Lackawanna project in Scranton for construction of the project and building envelope. The project is a new, market-rate, ground-up six-story, apartment complex with retail/commercial ground floor space.
$500,000 for the Leonard Theater in Scranton. The overall project will reactivate the theater and the three vacant retail store fronts. There is currently no ADA access to the theater as it is located entirely on the second floor. The project includes the design and construction of an elevator that will allow for ADA access and perform additional functions for event loading in/out of the theater. Funds will be used for the design and construction of the elevator and associated construction work to provide handicap access to the theater.
$500,000 for the IACOS Community Center in Scranton. The project will construct a multi-phased development that will be highlighted by a new community center. Specifically, this project addresses infrastructure improvements and the construction of the community center and residential building, including mobilization and building out of site infrastructure and utilities.
$500,000 for the 105 Corner St.-Dunmore project that involves cleanup and repurposing of a poorly developed vacant lot used for car storage and cleanup, repairs, reconstruction and repurposing of a building in very poor condition. The construction activities include the cleanup, repairs, reconstruction and stabilization of the building and lot infrastructure and envelope, including roof and wall replacement and all new HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.