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Grant applications approved for Pine Street improvement

City Council agreed to allow the city administration to pursue funding streams for the construction of Pine Street, making it open to two-way traffic from Third to Fourth streets and improving stormwater drainage issues, projects estimated to cost $1.2 million.

The two funding sources include a $729,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and a $378,422 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

A match of $92,000-plus from the city is required and $61,000-plus from the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority, which has agreed to partner with the city on the project.

“We’re looking at three months for a review of these grants,” said John Grado, city engineer and director of city community and economic development. “We’re anticipating, if approved, construction would begin in the spring of 2018.”

He anticipates a detour with utility work needed south of West Third Street to Church Street.

“The stormwater drainage repair is a must,” said Councilwoman Bonnie Katz, of the public works committee.

Councilman Clifford “Skip” Smith, before voting, grilled the administration with a series of questions related to how these changes would retain 1,000 jobs downtown and create potentially 100 jobs.

Grado, who answered for the administration, said the estimate was given by consultant Delta Development.

The city also has a $2.5 million line of credit it can tap and a recent gift of $500,000 from the First Community Foundation Partnership to use toward the downtown revitalization.

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