News

Pittston Receives Grant to Improve Sewer System on Panama Street

On September 18, 2018 the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a grant submitted by Pittston City for funding in the amount of $424,845 to improve the sewer system on Panama Street.  For a number of years the city has been having problems with an aged underground culvert that transmits both sanitary and stormwater from structures on Panama Street. There have been multiple road subsidences and blockages as well as collapsing manholes and street drains.   The grant funding will allow for the installation of new separate underground pipes for stormwater and sanitary sewerage as well as new manholes and street drains. Additionally, the Pittston City Office of Community Development will be using Community Development grant funds to install new sidewalks, curbs and repave the road when the underground pipe work is completed.  Construction work is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2019.

October 31, 2018 in Community

Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) Sweep

On Monday, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Johnson Street. This sweep resulted in 16 properties receiving Notices of Violation and one verbal warning for issues such as inoperable vehicles, boats and campers on street, roof and gutter repairs, electrical service cable replacement. The Police Department tagged 5 abandoned vehicles and issued 1 handicapped parking violation. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area. The Facilities Management team and DPW performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds and brush.

 

Property owners receiving notices are required to contact Code Enforcement within 24 hours of a notice to develop a plan of action. They are given up to 24 hours to correct violations such as high grass and up to 30 days (or more) to address more substantial issues. No actual fines or citations are issued during NAT sweeps. The purpose of the sweeps are to improve the neighborhoods and quality of life of our residents, and to remind homeowners of their obligation to maintain their properties in a safe and code compliant manner. The City utilizes the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as published by the International Code Council for these standards. The International Code Council is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. More information about the IPMC may be found at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

 

An abandoned vehicle is one that does not have a current inspection. Vehicle owners are given 7 days to obtain an inspection before further enforcement action occurs.

 

More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

October 3, 2018 in City Government, Community

Parsonage Street Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) Sweep

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Parsonage and connecting streets and alleys. This sweep resulted in 21 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as sidewalks, roofs, interior furniture on porches, broken windows, accumulation of debris and garbage, porches and stairs, and high grass. The Police Department tagged 8 abandoned vehicles and issued 2 parking violation warnings. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area. The Facilities Management team and DPW performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds and brush. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.
September 21, 2018 in City Government, Community

Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) Sweep

Last Friday, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Elizabeth Street. This sweep resulted in 20 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as junk vehicles, a demolition notice, multiple accumulations of rubbish and debris, roofs and gutters, and exterior stairs. The Police Department tagged 10 abandoned vehicles and issued 1 parking violation warning. The Fire Bureau checked 16 Hydrants in the area. 11 were found to be in good condition. 1 had a leak and Pennsylvania American was contacted; 3 Stortz connections changed; 1 cleaned of small stones from the lock release. The Facilities Management team performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

 

September 11, 2018 in City Government, Community

Governor Tom Wolf announces funding to revitalize Pittston waterfront

Governor Tom Wolf announced last week new funding to revitalize the Pittston waterfront by converting an underused warehouse into a mixed-use facility with apartments, offices, retail space, and a business incubator.

“This comprehensive redevelopment project will be a noticeable update to a section of downtown Pittston that has a lot of potential, but not expansive use,” Wolf said. “By renovating the structure and surrounding area, we will be creating jobs, expanding offerings for businesses, college students and residents, while opening up opportunities for more economic development.”

Waterfront Management Group, LLC was approved for a $2 million grant to rehabilitate a 101,997-square-foot warehouse at the corner of East Street and Kennedy Boulevard. The completed project is expected to have 27 apartments, a food court supporting the students of the recently opened nearby Luzerne County Community College’s Pittston center, 28,296 square feet of office space, and a business incubator with space for 36 units. The warehouse is only partially occupied, and the 13 existing jobs will be retained while approximately 60 new jobs are created through the new uses.

“I’m extremely proud of the wide array of community enhancements in the City of Pittston and this significant investment of state funds will advance an integral commercial and residential project along the Susquehanna River waterfront,” said Representative Mike Carroll, D-Avoca. “I am grateful to Governor Wolf for his unyielding support of our community.”

The project is expected to bring economic growth through enhanced property values, a stronger local tax base, and increased commercial and residential development. The renovation will also beautify the waterfront through exterior renovations and new landscaping.

“(This) announcement of RACP funding for the Waterfront Warehouse Conversion project in Pittston is yet another positive step towards the City’s revitalization,” said State Senator John Yudichak. “The repurposing of this former warehouse facility into a state-of-the-art multi-use asset along the Susquehanna River will create the opportunity for continued economic growth in Pittston and our core cities in Luzerne County.”

Supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), funding will support critical expansion projects, some of which will provide opportunities for additional economic development.

Read the full article on the Sunday Dispatch website

August 31, 2018 in Community, Downtown Pittston

$2 Million RACP Awarded to the City of Pittston

https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-announces-warehouse-conversion-mixed-use-facility-business-incubator-luzerne-county/

Today, Governor Wolf announced a $2,000,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) award for the redevelopment of the former Cooper’s Coop Warehouse Building in Pittston.  The 102,000 SF building will be converted into 27 apartments, a food court,  office space, and a business incubator.  The project will enhance the City’s riverfront and offer additional economic opportunities for the community.

The City of Pittston would like to thank Governor Wolf, Senator John Yudichak, and offer special thanks to Representative Mike Carroll for supporting and investing in the City of Pittston.

August 24, 2018 in City Government, Community

Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) Sweep

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Curtis, Brandenburg, Cornelia, Milton and North Main Streets. Today’s sweep resulted in 22 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as high grass and weeds, damage, missing or blocked gutters, accessory structures in disrepair, and accumulation of garbage debris. The Police Department tagged 2 abandoned vehicles and issued 3 parking violation warnings. The Fire Bureau checked 8 Hydrants in the area. 7 were found to be in good condition and 1 had a bad gasket. The Street Department operated the Sweeper and deployed workers to remove debris. The Facilities Management team performed maintenance work at Jefferson Park. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

August 24, 2018 in City Government, Community

Neighborhood Action Team (NAT)

Today, City Officials conducted another Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Swallow Street. Today’s sweep resulted in 19 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as high grass and weeds, retaining walls, soffits and flashing, and accumulation of debris. The Police Department tagged 3 abandoned vehicles, issued 1 parking violation warning and directed the removal of a  handicapped parking sign no longer in use. The Fire Bureau checked 10 Hydrants in the area. 6 were found to be in good condition; 3 had loose caps and were tightened; 1 had small rocks jammed under the stortz locking spring and were removed and caps tightened. The Street Department operated the Sweeper and deployed workers to remove debris from the roadway. The Facilities Management team weed whacked sidewalks and curbs that had an abundance of weeds and overgrowth in addition to the significant, ongoing work at West Park. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

 

August 10, 2018 in City Government

Albert J. West Memorial Park Repairs & Improvements

The Pittston City Street Department’s Public Property maintenance team recently began a series of repairs and improvements to Albert J. West Memorial Park on Swallow Street. The concession stand used by the Pittston Junior Patriots Mini-Football and Cheerleading was painted and improvements made to its exterior lighting. The running and walking track around the field is being re-graded and new cinders layed. The football field goal posts are being painted. With this being the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918, further improvements and repairs will continue to the park named for a Pittston City World War I soldier will continue throughout the rest of the summer.

August 1, 2018 in Community, Culture

Third Neighborhood Action Team Sweep

Today, City Officials conducted its third Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Searle, Center and Mill Streets. Today’s sweep resulted in 14 Notices of Violation for issues such as high grass, exterior wall issues, and electrical services needing to be replaced. Additionally, the police issued warnings for 3 parking violations and tagged eight abandoned vehicles. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

    

July 30, 2018 in Community