Council hears $314,768 estimate for lookout repairs; NAOG Phase 2 pool funding introduced

Scranton City Council received an engineer’s cost estimate for renovations to the city lookout and discussed funding options on Oct. 2.

Councilman King reported that Riley Associates prepared a cost estimate of about $314,768 to repair the lookout, citing repointing stone walls, additional stone repairs, repaving the parking area, stone sidewalk repairs, lighting, guide-rail transition replacement, security cameras, mobilization and traffic control among the line items. King asked administration how the city plans to fund the work and whether grant funding would be pursued.

Council members discussed potential funding sources, including historic-preservation grants and other outside funding. Councilman Shuster noted that some DPW stone workers could perform portions of the work but also recommended exploring historic grants because the lookout has WPA-era elements and a historical designation component. Several council members asked administration to present a funding plan and timeline for the project.

Separately, council introduced a redevelopment grant application for NAOG Park Phase 2 to the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Council members reiterated that this body asked for a lap pool to be included when NAOG’s design was reviewed; the grant request includes a match and council asked the administration for remaining cost estimates and an estimated schedule should the grant be awarded.

A city official noted that Phase 1 pool infrastructure is in place and that the pool shell has been filled, but opening was not expected this year; council asked administration to provide a more detailed completion schedule for Phase 2 if the grant is awarded.

Council asked for follow-up material and confirmed the administration will present additional details at caucus and in subsequent committee meetings.