Jamie Smith, a Wilkes-Barre resident and local arts educator, addressed the May 22 council to describe a proposal submitted to the Land Bank to purchase 64 West Ross and convert it into a perennial flower garden and outdoor youth-education space.

Smith said approximately 50 residents, organizations and businesses support the plan and provided the council copies of letters and a proposal; she said the project would host workshops on nature, pollinators and hands-on activities and would bring small groups of children outdoors to study architecture, history and art. “We would get kids outdoors, we'd get them drawing, painting, photographing, looking at the history, looking at the architecture… they would come to the garden, there would be workshops, hands on things about nature, growing, pollinators,” Smith said.

Councilmembers and the mayor told Smith that the Land Bank makes final decisions on Land Bank properties; Mayor Brown and other officials said the Land Bank had tabled the item at a prior meeting and suggested interested residents engage with the Land Bank directly. Councilmembers said the council may adopt a resolution to register its views and that the Land Bank process would guide next steps.

Why it matters: the proposal represents a community-driven reuse of a Land Bank property that would provide arts‑education and green‑space programming; the meeting clarified that the Land Bank—not the council—has primary decision authority over the property sale.

Next steps: Smith was invited to meet with officials after the meeting and the council indicated it may draft a resolution to express support; the Land Bank’s formal review and vote will determine whether the sale proceeds.