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How do two lanes for Starbucks and revitalized storefronts at River Valley Plaza off Basin Street and Via Bella sound?
Property owner Rick Mahonski and Nathan White, his son-in-law, who operate The River Valley Co., which manages the properties in the plaza, think the plan fits right in with the anticipated surge in development in the 'Old City gateway' section of the central business district's eastern end of Williamsport.
Situated at the entrance to Basin Street corridor, the plaza and Starbucks were purchased in late 2019 by Mahonski, a real estate investor and goldsmith.
"We have received a lot of positive comments about the proposal," White said in a telephone interview.
Ideally, construction would commence next year once all of the land development plans go through proper procedure such as city and Lycoming County Planning commissions, the administration of Mayor Derek Slaughter and City Council and its various committees.
Since acquiring the property, the plaza's 18 units have been fully occupied, with several of them being recently remodeled for tenants.
Over the last year, plans to renovate the exterior of the plaza and Starbucks have been developed with construction partner Pine Ridge Construction, which has its own multi-million dollar investment at the corner of East Third and Basin streets -- a complex housing both townhouses for sale and retail outlets in lower levels -- a project that is supported and in conjunction with the Old City rehabilitation and improvement near the southern entrance to Lycoming College. Pine Ridge Construction will host a groundbreaking for its project 5 to 7 p.m. on July 26.
A second lane for Starbucks
Included in the early plans, is a redesign of the parking lot and drive-thru. That includes a second lane for ordering, to not only reduce wait times for customers but also produce a more smooth and efficient entrance to the coffee speciality store and plaza.
The changes include adding more lighting and renovating the exterior of the plaza, as well as improving the sidewalks and traffic flow to make entrance and exit more conducive to the expected increased business activity, the developers said.
"The plaza has basically been untouched since its 1985 construction," Mahonski said. "This project will modernize the Starbucks and plaza exterior to reduce congestion while giving the property a fresh look as part of the City's 'gateway' into Old City," he said.
The River Valley Co., which manages the properties, is working with Starbucks corporation on design of the new traffic flow as well as interior/exterior redesign, White said.
The plaza owner has retained the service of Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. for engineering and construction.
Penn Strategies Inc. will be helping to secure state and federal government grants to assist in the project financing.
With final approval from Starbucks, as well as requiring the necessary permitting and financing, construction could be next summer.
State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, Slaughter, Eric Beiter, chair of the city economic revitalization committee and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, have all expressed interest in the project and want to assist in whatever way possible, White said.