Pocono News Section

More Parking Renovations in Scranton

More Parking Renovations in Scranton - Monday, October 19, 2009 at 5:35PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Oct 19, 2009 @ 05:35pm EDT
LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Major renovations are underway at a parking garage in downtown Scranton. The work just started. But many people don't really know what's going on.

Repairs began just over a week ago on the parking garage at North Washington and Linden streets. The city is paying big bucks to spruce up the outside of the building and make it safer.

Like many people, Daniel Flaherty has seen welding work going at the North Washington and Linden Street parking garage. Monday he found out what itÕs all about.

The city is renovating the garage, putting on a brand new brick facade. ÒItÕs a beautiful city now as it is. Once they get the federal building all done and they get this done, it'll look really nice," said Flaherty.

Parking Authority Director Bob Scopelliti says the improvements aren't just commercial. They'll also make the building safer. ÒIn house, we've also done some painting, repairs on some staircases and we also had a company in earlier this year to do tendon repairs to our parking deck," he said.

In all the project will cost $630,000. Taxpayer money isn't being used. The money is being covered by bond proceeds from the construction of the new Oppenheim parking garage.

City leaders say the work is needed. The garage was built in the 1960s and will now fit in cosmetically with other projects downtown.

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said, ÒBy putting a brick facade on it, you beautify the downtown and make the downtown more attractive, especially around the courthouse."

Workers say the renovations and repairs will take several months to complete. In all this garage has 777 parking spots.