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NeighborWorks reports progress on West Scranton plan, Cloverfield redevelopment and Hometown Heroes banners
Summary
NeighborWorks told the Scranton council it is mid-way through implementing the West Scranton (West Granton) neighborhood plan with vacant-lot cleanups, volunteer 'Garbage Olympics,' partnership projects and a Cloverfield redevelopment effort expected in two to three years; the nonprofit also opened a new round of Hometown Heroes banner applications.
NeighborWorks officials described steady implementation of the West Scranton (West Granton) neighborhood plan and several community-driven projects intended to reduce blight and build local capacity.
"We have been working on this plan since 2019...we are about halfway through the implementation period of that plan," said Shane Powers, president and CEO. Powers listed resident-led vacant-lot cleanups, volunteer-driven events (the "Garbage Olympics") and partnerships with Scranton Tomorrow and United Neighborhood Centers as core activities aimed at creating pride of place.
Powers highlighted an anticipated redevelopment effort at Cloverfield, a green-space project the presentation said is being led by the city in partnership with NeighborWorks; Powers said he does not have an exact completion date but estimated a two- to three-year timeframe for significant progress or completion.
NeighborWorks also said it now owns two buildings in Scranton: its Smith Street office and a Main Avenue property where the agency has replaced windows and will solicit a request-for-concepts to determine the best long-term use. Powers said the agency used Main Street Matters planning funds to support that work.
Gerard Hipman announced NeighborWorks had opened applications for a new cycle of Hometown Heroes banners honoring veterans, saying the organization has installed more than 150 banners in prior rounds and will preserve existing physical banners so families can request them. Hipman said preference in the new cycle will be given to veterans not currently honored on light poles; remaining space could be used for renewals after new applicants are accommodated.
Council members asked about the Main Avenue building’s future and whether small green spaces near the high school are owned by NeighborWorks. Presenters said the building could house NeighborWorks staff and a commercial tenant or nonprofit partner on the first floor and possibly housing on the second floor, but the agency will issue a request for concepts to solicit public ideas. They also said a small green space near the high school is land bank-owned and not currently NeighborWorks property.
