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Pocono News Section
Pottsville Transit Center Gets Final Funding
Pottsville Transit Center Gets Final Funding - Friday, April 24, 2009 at 4:44PM EST
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - A project that has been in the making for more than 11 years is finally becoming a reality. Plans to build a transit center in downtown Pottsville got final funding Friday from Governor Ed Rendell.
Several blighted buildings on South Centre Street will be taken down as part of the project.
"With the cost of transportation, the cost of gas, it's a great time to set the stage for people to utilize public transportation," Pottsville City Administrator Tom Palamar said.
Governor Ed Rendell says the project will cost more than $15 million. The final $5.5 million came from the President's recent stimulus package.
"I believe this project is the key to downtown revitalization," Rendell said. "Without the president's stimulus program, we wouldn't have been able to do this."
In all, the project is expected to create 420 jobs though construction and operation. That has people like Lisa Pascuzzo thrilled.
"I think it's a good thing. If what you say, it brings all these jobs to the county, we need jobs," Pascuzzo said.
The finalization of funding for the project is extremely important for Pottsville mayor John Reiley. His son, Terry, helped develop the idea for the intermodal center in 1997. He called Friday "emotional."
"Oh, there's some of that invovled, yes. He had quite a vision for this and that's one of the reasons why I've stayed on as mayor," Reiley said.
Once construction begins, the project is expected to take only 16 months. | | |
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