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A proposed multi-million residential and commercial development called "Old City Williamsport" remains in a dormant phase with officials involved saying they are hopeful for updates from the developer next year.
It was the summer of 2022 when officials with Pine Ridge Construction Management and Lycoming College celebrated a groundbreaking with a gathering at the building site, which remains an empty lot.
Pine Ridge Construction Management officials were looking to start with a build-out of 12, three-story residential townhomes and seven commercial units. Then, future phases would include office space, additional commercial space, a parking structure and a living rooftop park with a beer garden and mock food truck dining experience.
The mixed-use concept so intrigued Williamsport City Council, its members authorized $900,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to be allocated toward the project in the fall of 2022.
While dirt was turned over, nothing of consequence took place in 2023 or this year at the site.
The most recent updates:
• Earlier this year, the Williamsport Redevelopment Authority removed itself from negotiations with the developer and the consulting firm, Delta Development Group, as it pertained to the negotiations at the site.
• With no discernable movement on the project, Lycoming County Commissioners voted to rescind $1 million in natural gas impact fee or Act 13 the county was going to invest.
In a statement issued up request, Lycoming College discussed the project updates moving forward.
"Lycoming College remains committed to moving forward with its public sector and private collaborators on the next phase of the revitalization of Old City as the College has made significant investments that have already dramatically improved the area, including construction of the Krapf Gateway Center, the Trachte Music Center, and improvement of the intersection at Franklin and East Fourth streets.
"Lycoming College credits much of the success of the Old City revitalization initiative to contributions from local stakeholders, including Lycoming County. Lycoming County has been a strong partner in realizing the improvements already made in Old City, and Lycoming College is hopeful that the County can be approached for future financial participation as a local partner to match federal and state grants. The College continues to work with its private development partners to advance construction of a mixed-use development along Basin Street, and we are encouraged by ongoing conversations with prospective tenants. Lycoming College anticipates that construction work on the next phase of revitalization will begin in early 2025.
"The college was also excited that the City of Williamsport, with support from Lycoming College, was awarded a federal appropriation of $2,662,215 for the Old City Revitalization Initiative. The awarded funding will be used to facilitate revitalization of Williamsport's Old City neighborhood, including modernization of streetlights, Willow Street pedestrian improvements, utility line relocation, and construction of the Basin Street River Walk Connector.
"This appropriation of federal dollars, made possible through the advocacy of Congressman Dan Meuser, with support from U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, demonstrates continuing public sector support for Old City revitalization."