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Another access point to the popular Susquehanna River Walk, the bicycle and pedestrian pathway allowing for scenic views of the levee system, greater Williamsport and its environs is a step closer to reality today.
A resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between City of Williamsport and Joint Rail Authority, presented to City Council by Scott Williams, deputy director of the city Department of Community and Economic Development and planner, was approved.
The MOU provides a framework of cooperation between the two entities, a necessary step as the city moves forward with design and construction of a new connection to the Susquehanna River Walk at Basin Street.
"In order to get there we have to cross the rail line so we had to establish some expectations for both parties of how we are going to conduct that project," Williams said.
What transpired was the JRA drafted the MOU, it came back to the city, city legal team reviewed it and did some revisions and sent it back to the JRA. It was approved by the JRA Board. Williams expressed his appreciation for the cooperation from Steven Beattie, JRA executive director.
"This is a long time coming," Council President Eric Beiter said. He said he believed his first year on council about four and a half years ago the city officials were talking about having this expansion, another access point to the river walk.
"It is a bit of a pain to get down there," Beiter said. "You have to go to Maynard Street, get off and so on and everyone is well aware of how you have to go and park somewhere and it is just not safe. Hopefully, this is going to be a much more accessible point for everybody to get safely onto the river walk, and we're going to see more and more people enjoy that."