If you’ve been to downtown Wilkes-Barre lately, you’ve seen that there’s alot going on. The River Common project is changing the face of downtown and making the Susquehanna River part of the community again. This $23 million project, sponsored by three levels of government, will create two 60-foot-wide portals through the levees and will provide pedestrian and recreational gateways to the Susquehanna River from street level.

This endeavor imitates similar projects done in U.S. cities that capitalize on their proximity to water. Cities like Minneapolis, Providence, and Harrisburg have revitalized their downtown areas by capturing the benefits of this natural amenity. Wilkes-Barre can do this too, by highlighting the river as a recreational and visual asset.

This project started in 2006, but had been a long time coming. Its origins go all the way back to 1972 when Agnes dumped more than a foot of rain on Wilkes-Barre, causing the Susquehanna River to top the existing levees. Once the floodwaters receded, President Nixon promised to fix the problem, but no funding was appropriated to make the repairs through the 1970s and 1980s.

When the Blizzard of 1996 was followed by warm temperatures and heavy rain, floodwaters came mere inches from topping the levees again. At that time, President Clinton called for construction to begin on the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project. By 2003, this project was complete. However, the levee raising almost completely obstructed the riverfront.

The River Common project is aimed at reclaiming the river’s beauty and restoring its rich history. It consists of four major components: the Northampton Street Portal, Millennium Circle, River Landing, and a fishing pier.

“Since 1972, people have lived in fear of the Susquehanna River. It’s time to bring them back to the water’s edge,” says Jim Brozena, executive director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority. “And this community hasn’t done any grand works in a long time. We’re going to do it right.”

The Northampton Street Portal, near Wilkes University will provide a walkway through the floodwall, leading to the 750-seat amphitheater at the water’s edge. The amphitheater will consist of pre-cast stone seating blocks overlooking a concrete stage.

Millennium Circle is located directly across from the Irem Temple parking lot. This 75-foot diameter circle will include a fountain and seating and has the potential to host street theater. The site will really shine at night as the fountain will feature separate light controls in each jet sprayer.

The fishing pier will be 1000-feet long, stretching out into the river, providing another recreation spot. This area will also include a boat dock/launch offering a direct connection to the water for those who want to canoe or kayak.

The levee along the River Common will have concrete walls and a paved walking/biking path on top, with bridges stretching across the portals. This area will be illuminated by period style fixtures and will feature benches, trash cans and kiosks with panels that depict the region’s history. Visitors will be able to learn about our area as they enjoy the landscaping.

Hopes are that this project will re-energize the city and encourage people to stay downtown after five o’clock. Pedestrian traffic is key in the revitalization and redevelopment of Wilkes-Barre. Both sides of the levees will be well-illuminated for those out after dark.

Some concern has been raised over the fact that the 60-foot-wide portals that will give the public access to the river for recreation will give the flood-prone Susquehanna a way to spill into the downtown. Brozena assures this will not be a problem.

Flood gates will be installed within the portals, sliding out like giant pocket doors when the river rises. And the River Common is being built to withstand floods and the ice that flows down every spring. Three sister projects are planned for when the River Common project is complete, including: The redesign and expansion of the Luzerne County Courthouse gardens. This will include the refurbishing and relocation of the statue of Ellen Webster Palmer. Mrs. Palmer’s statue is a landmark and has served as a popular backdrop for photographs.

The “calming” of River Street. This will include a raised grassy median down the center from the Luzerne County Courthouse to the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes University. Traffic will be slowed as the street is converted to a two-lane road with landscaping located between opposing lanes. This will calm traffic flow and make access to the River Common more pedestrian friendly. The Multi-Park Project. This will encompass the area between the railroad bridge south of the Cross Valley to the railroad bridge at the end of Kirby Park. Nesbitt Park, the “wet” section of Kirby Park, and River Bend Park in Kingston will receive a face lift.

With all the construction taking place, it’s still hard for residents to envision what exactly is going on. Brozena assures it will be evident once the temporary dams at each opening are removed. People on River Street will then be able to see the Susquehanna through the openings and catch a better glimpse at what’s happening.

“Things are starting to change on a daily basis now,” Brozena says. “It’s really getting exciting.”

The contractual completion date is spring 2009, the year the Luzerne County Courthouse will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Hopes are that the courthouse celebration will be accompanied by the ribbon cutting of the new riverfront project.