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The 500
Lackawanna Avenue Project

This is the latest
project in our neighborhood. This artist rendering is our view of the south side
of our block as if looking out our front window.
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8/31/2004
GOVERNOR RENDELL PRESENTS $9 MILLION FOR SCRANTON
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
SCRANTON: Governor Edward G. Rendell and Community and Economic
Development
Secretary Dennis Yablonsky today presented a check for $9 million in
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds during a visit to
Scranton. The funds will be used to help redevelop the 500 block of
Lackawanna
Avenue.
“The $9 million in funds for this project, along with the $4 million in
funding for the Medallion Garage that I announced during my last visit, is part
of my promise when I ran for Governor to channel new resources to aging
communities in need of new and improved infrastructure,” said Governor
Rendell. “These funds have helped to spearhead a public-private partnership
with the State, City and the 500 Lackawanna Development Co., that will be able
to secure the $20 million to make this project a reality.”
The 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue consists of 11 buildings and two vacant lots
on the south side of the street, as well as two buildings on the north side of
the street. The existing buildings are either partially or completely vacant,
and in serious need of structural and cosmetic repairs. The
$9 million will be used to revitalize the entire block, the court behind the
buildings on the south side of the avenue, as well as constructing a park
directly behind the buildings bordering the active rail lines used by Steamtown
National Historic Park. The end result will create a mixed-use environment
that will become a center for cultural activity in Scranton. The area will
eventually accommodate restaurants, boutique shops, art studios and loft
apartments -- all connected by a landscaped green space.
“The Rendell Administration is dedicated to providing the capital our
communities and businesses need to grow in order to become attractive places
for Pennsylvanians to live, work and play,” said Secretary Yablonsky. “This in
turn will draw the private sector into our programs and our projects and
continue to inject new life into our economy.”
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On this winter day it
finally begins.

2/27/2007 516 Lackawanna
gets exposed.

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9/11/2007 The utility work
starts!


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2/08/2008 New water, gas
and electric lines are in.





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4/28/2008 Extensive
interior work is now underway!


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5/13/2008 work continues.

Excavation for the arch
and elevator into the future park is underway.

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Governor Ed Rendell was in
town this morning to help break ground on the redevelopment project happening on
the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, called the Renaissance at 500.
Renaissance at 500 will
include 16 new condominiums located in eight turn-of-the-century buildings,
boutiques and a landscaped park. Rendell announced $15 million in state funding
for the project which is expected to add at least 180 new jobs to the downtown
area.
The project aims to bring
together vibrant retail shops and restaurants with residential areas and
abundant green space to create a cornerstone for the rebirth of the downtown.
The 500 block of
Lackawanna Ave. was shut down for the unveiling of the project and the area was
crowded with local public officials, businesspeople and community leaders,
showing the strength of Scranton’s commitment to downtown revitalization.

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