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