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American Heritage Rivers Keystone ProjectUpper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Rivers - 1The Renovation of the Hotel Sterling Project Summary As part of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative, we formed CityVest, a not-for-profit community development corporation, to promote economic development and the renovation of blighted properties in the American Heritage River Watershed. The refurbishment of The Sterling Hotel - one of CityVest's top priorities -- is vital to the economic development of the city of Wilkes-Barre. The Sterling Hotel is one of the most significant landmarks in downtown Wilkes-Barre. This century-old building overlooks the Susquehanna River and sits just two blocks from Public Square. The Sterling Hotel is also part of the River Street Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once a prestigious address with a grand ballroom and a hotel guest list that included past U.S. Presidents, the Sterling Hotel is now a blighted property and has been vacant since 1998. Shortly after the Sterling closed, the City identified numerous code violations, including water damage in the basement, a decrepit roof, electrical problems, asbestos, and lead paint. A fire damaged part of the building in August 2000. In recent years, the hotel has been scheduled for tax sale or sheriff's mortgage foreclosure sale due to municipal tax claims on the site. As a recent newspaper article described the Sterling Hotel's current sad state of affairs, "[t]he empty landmark casts a blighted shadow on downtown." CityVest seeks to bring the once grand Sterling Hotel site back to life, recognizing that this blighted property could be a center for commercial and residential activity once again. Project Benefit Address the most visible and significant brownfield site in the heart of Wilkes-Barre and the AHR Watershed; Promote economic development and job creation with a mixed-use hotel, office and retail, and housing project; Advance riverfront development along the Susquehanna River; Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status Planning and development with property acquisition anticipated by September 15, 2002 Cost Estimate: To be determined; project phases include: brownfield remediation, environmental abatement, site development and construction/renovation. Resources Needed Funding for the completion of the restoration and new construction at the site. Champion Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Champion Partners: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration Political Support Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA) Other Initiatives Supported Riverfront Development and Downtown Restoration of Brownfields Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project (US Army Corp of Engineers) New Markets Tax Credit Keystone Opportunity Zone River Navigator Alex Rogers Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Rivers - 2Resolution of Combined Sewer Overflow Problem Along the Susquehanna River Project Summary This project seeks funding to complete a design and engineering study - as well as construction -- to address the critical combined sewer overflow problem along the Susquehanna River, particularly in the Wyoming Valley. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the river degrade the quality of the water and pose health hazards. It is essential to address this problem promptly because of the concurrent projects to develop the riverfront and install an inflatable dam (already Congressionally authorized and funded) along the river. Background Until the 1960's, many sewers collected sanitary sewage and surface storm drainage and discharged the combined flow into the Susquehanna River, creeks, and other surface waters. Regional population increases caused increased sewage discharges into streams and rivers, creating health concerns and degradation of surface waters and groundwater. Regional sewage treatment plants and interceptor sewers were constructed to intercept municipal sewer systems discharging to the River and its tributaries. When the regional interceptors were constructed, sanitary diversion chambers were built on the outfalls of the combination storm/sanitary sewers. The diversion chambers intercept and divert sewage to the interceptor system, which then conveys the wastewater to the sanitary authority treatment plant. This works fine during dry times. However, during storms, the mixed sanitary and storm flows overflow the weirs and discharge directly into the river. This is untreated wastewater that discharges through an outfall pipe directly into the river, presenting serious health hazards to humans and aquatic life. It also affects downstream communities that utilize the river for water supply. During even moderate storm events, overflows from the diversion chambers can cause significant discharge of untreated sewage from a number of locations along the River. A recent inventory of CSOs in our region identified at least 30 CSOs within the Wyoming Valley. Given the magnitude of the problem and its direct effect on the River, it is not surprising that the American Heritage Rivers Work Plan for the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed includes 16 CSO abatement projects. This proposal seeks to advance a critical project from that list - namely "characterization of combined sewer overflows" leading to "CSO facilities design and construction." Meanwhile, extensive efforts are underway to promote river recreation and riverfront development. Most specifically, Congress has authorized and funded the installation of an inflatable down just south of Wilkes-Barre to provide recreational opportunities in conjunction with the Wyoming Valley Levee raising Project for flood protection. Absent abatement of the CSO problem, engineers predict build-up of untreated wastewater during moderate and high storm periods. Needless to say, failure to cure the CSO problem may significantly undermine efforts to encourage recreation in and along the river. Current Partnerships Solving the CSO problem is a top priority for the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, numerous municipalities along the Susquehanna River, and the Pennsylvania GIS Consortium (consisting of Wilkes University and King's College). The parties have invested resources to investigating the scope of the problem, but they lack the financial resources to conduct a comprehensive study, assessment, and remediation.
Project Stage/Status We have completed an inventory of the CSO's along the Susquehanna and we are now ready to proceed on two tracks concurrently - (1) an engineering assessment and design study to determine the best long term remedy; and (2) installation of site specific corrections to reduce or eliminate a major part of the sewage overflows, with immediate improvement of water quality. With respect to Item (2), a local engineering firm has volunteered its expertise to analyze the problem and propose the following:
Cost Estimate: To be determined; project phases include: brownfield remediation, environmental abatement, site development and construction/renovation.
Resources Needed Funding for completion of the engineering and design study, as well as installation of site-specific corrections at the problem outfall locations. Champion Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Champion Partner:: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Political Support Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA), in whose district the site located, strongly supports the project. Other Initiatives Supported Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project (US Army Corps of Engineers) River Navigator Alex Rogers
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