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Williamsport City Council finance committee this week discussed a proposal by a developer of River Valley Plaza/Starbucks improvements as he seeks a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant of up to $4 million.

Richard Mahonski, the developer of the plaza facing Basin Street, Via Bella and East Street, is expected to be available for further questions at the council meeting Thursday, Mayor Derek Slaughter said.

Councilman Eric Beiter asked and was told by Slaughter that this is the same pot of grant money that Pine Ridge Old City Williamsport project mixed-use commercial, residential and parking deck project and the couple seeking grant money for upgrades to Pine Square are going for through the same manner.

The grant, if awarded, could essentially be split three ways or a smaller amount given for each project.

The city, essentially, if the grant were awarded for the projects, would act as a pass-through agency. The leg work on administration of the grant is being done by Penn Strategies, he said.

Mahonski previously told the Sun-Gazette he is working with Starbucks corporate management to develop another access into the coffee house and a second drive-through order lane.

If the grant is successful, the work could happen as soon as summer 2023, Mahonski said.