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  4 th 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, 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 Projects District 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 PastPresent

Carey Avenue Demolitions

Miner Park Basketball Courts

City Wide Investments 2004-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 MonthRental Insp.Re-Insp.Complaints September October November December January February March Total

Health Department Statistics

Intermodal Center PastPresent

Intermodal Center

Courtright Housing Development  PastPresent

Courtright Housing Development

Pine Ridge PastPresent

Mill Street Homes PastPresent

Coal Street Park PastPresent

Coal Street Park PastPresent

Coal Street Playground

Downtown Past Present

Streetscape PastPresent

Lighting Downtown PastPresent

River Common

South Main Street PastPresent

Northampton Street PastPresent

Elevations Ribbon-Cutting

Iron Triangle- 10/7/2010