Optimism flows at virtual meeting of Downtown WB Business Association

May 8—WILKES-BARRE — At Friday morning virtual meeting of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, you could see and hear on everyone's ZOOM face that there was a sigh of relief.

Larry Newman, executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, and John Maday, president of the downtown group, smiled when they talked about the upcoming Fine Arts Fiesta, the Concert in the Park, the Rockin' on the River and movement on two downtown hotel projects.

Throw in the renovation of the former train station and the reopening of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Preforming Arts and, virtual or not, the sentiment about an approaching return to some form of normalcy came through loud and clear on everyone's computer, smartphone and laptop.

"We are very pleased about the governor's reopening order, which will take effect at the end of this month," Newman said. "While downtown traffic levels have already been increasing, we still have a long way to go. That's why we remain focused on connecting downtown businesses to the recovery assistance they need."

Most recently, Newman said part of that recovery has taken the form of the SBA's Restaurant Revitalization Fund, whose application portal opened on Monday. For more information, visit www.restaurants.sba.gov.

In terms of downtown development, Newman said work has begun on one of the downtown plan's priority objectives — the rehabilitation of Downtown Wilkes-Barre's historic railroad station to house the Luzerne County Visitors Bureau.

Newman said downtown Wilkes-Barre is the northern terminus of the 165-mile Delaware & Lehigh (D&L) Trail, which traces the right-of-way of the Lehigh & Susquehanna Railroad — the entity that originally constructed the railroad station in 1868.

"The creation of such a visitors' center has been envisioned since the 1992 publication of the D&L's original Management Action Plan," Newman said. "Placing the Visitors Bureau offices and visitor center at the station will create a direct link to the D&L story — providing the best possible starting point for visitors wishing to learn more about the history of the Wyoming Valley. Its benefit will only grow after the trail's final segment is constructed from Laurel Run to Downtown Wilkes-Barre."

And, in terms of downtown events, Newman said he is thrilled to welcome a scaled-down version of the Fine Arts Fiesta back to Public Square on May 14, 15, and 16.

Theodore B. Wampole, Jr., Executive Director at the Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said establishing the office at the train station makes sense for a lot of reasons.

"It will give us gives us a great visible location," Wampole said. "It's an historic train station and we don't seem to stress the importance of our history enough."

Wampole also said the new office will feature an historical display of the region.

Anne Rodella of the Kirby Center, reported that the Fine Arts Fiesta Committee met Thursday night to discuss final preparation for next week's event.

"Even though it will be a pared down Fiesta, the response we are seeing has been great so far," Rodella said.

Rodella added that Mayor George Brown and the Fine Arts Fiesta Board announced a safe and scaled-down event for 2021. The Fine Arts Fiesta will be held May 14-15-16, 11 a.m. — 7 p.m. on Public Square

Presentation will include the Artists' Market and Sale, Wyoming Valley Art League Members Exhibition, Verve Virtu Exhibition and Sale and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Bonsai Society Exhibition and Sale.

Rodella called it "Fiesta Lite."

Newman said live music will be offered Saturday night (May 15) in Midtown Village because there won't be any music or food vendors on Public Square this year.

Susan Magnotta said DCP has been working with the Fiesta Committee and downtown businesses and venues to round out downtown's Fiesta weekend offerings.

"This year's Fiesta will spread beyond Public Square to additional locations throughout Downtown Wilkes-Barre," Magnotta said. "For example: through DCP's 'Diamond City Dine Out' promotion, 18 different downtown restaurants will be welcoming Fiesta patrons with specials throughout the weekend."

Also, on Saturday, May 15, Magnotta said DCP will hold an event in the Midtown Village courtyard (at 41 South Main St.) in conjunction with the Fine Arts Fiesta. There will be vendors in the courtyard from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and music from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., by "The Music Room" and a Susquehanna Brewing Company pop-up in the courtyard as well.

Wilkes University's Sordoni Art Gallery, 141 South Main St., will be open to visitors with extended hours throughout Fiesta Weekend. Fiesta visitors should be sure to stop by and view Ray Klimek's exhibition "Carbon" at the Sordoni on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

More downtown news

Newman said start dates have been set for construction of two hotels — one at South Main and Northampton streets, and the other at West Market and River Street, the former Hotel Sterling site.

Wampole said details are not yet finalized for the Rockin the River series.

"We expect to make an announcement within the next few weeks," Wampole said. "But the series will return this summer."

Rodella said the Kirby Center is preparing for a return of shows.

"This is the first time in 13 months that we are selling tickets," she said.

Ahmad Ali, Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce & Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club, said the #570Day event was off to a good start Friday with many people posting and tweeting positive messages.

He said the initiative was created for the people of the 570 area.

"They are who truly makes our area special and we want to encourage them to use the hashtag (#570Day) across all social media platforms to highlight what they love most about our area," Ali said.

Don Armstrong of the Wyoming Valley Art League and Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club said the club is participating with Mayor Brown's Special Needs Playground Committee to place an all inclusive playground in Kirby Park.

Armstrong said the W-B Kiwanis sponsors an Aktion Club for physically and mentally challenged adults and a Wheelchair Club for individuals that do not have insurance coverage or cannot afford the equipment themselves.

"We felt that this was an excellent opportunity for our Kiwanis Club to be more involved with the planning and fundraising that will lead to the recreation and fun that this park can provide," Armstrong said.