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Williamsport Redevelopment Authority has removed itself from Old City Williamsport, but only as it pertains to negotiations with the developer and a consulting group.
The RDA board agreed to send a formal letter to disengage in any further negotiations with Pine Ridge Construction Management Inc. of Williamsport and Delta Development Group regarding Old City Williamsport project, since there has not been any discussion within the last six months, said August "Skip" Memmi, executive director of the city community and economic development.
He assured the readers that does not mean the project isn't continuing forward, but that the RDA is not going to be involved.
The RDA is a separate authority from any municipal government, giving it the ability to acquire properties through settlements and negotiations and if needed eminent domain proceedings.
"We try to avoid eminent domain," Memmi said.
The city has funded the authority and land bank with $2 million from the American Rescue Plan, a Biden-era COVID-19 response to provide funding for communities in response to the downside of the pandemic.
To the best of his knowledge, Lycoming County and Lycoming College continue to be involved in this mixed-use project that would benefit the region and city and college campus.
Dr. Kent Trachte, college president, said in October the project is going to take place but in a different form as earlier envisioned.
The project area is part of a revitalization in Williamsport in Old City, the oldest and first-settled section.