Lycoming College to add residential, commercial space to Williamsport’s East End

A mixed-used development is eyed for Basin Street, a block-long project in Old City, which is expected to bring jobs and provide liveable and retail spaces, additional parking and changes to the street traffic pattern.

 

City-based Pine Ridge Construction Management inked the letter of agreement recently with Lycoming College, which owns the property between East Third and East Fourth streets.

The new construction, expected to begin in the fall, will include:

• Retail and dining establishments

• Commercial and office space

• Living rooftop park and dining

• Owner-occupied townhomes

• New traffic patterns on Third Street, and a parking garage for patrons and tenants

It is a next phase of redevelopment in Old City.

In cooperation with the city, county, and the regional redevelopment authority, Pine Ridge plans to develop in the part of the city known as Old City, or the original blocks developed when Williamsport was first founded.

Old City is where Michael Ross — Williamsport’s founder — had his home, and where the first courthouse and tavern were established.

The firm and college anticipate sharing a timeline for the project this summer.

“Like Lycoming College, Pine Ridge is a dedicated member of the Williamsport community,” said Jerry Lariviere, president of Pine Ridge.

“We care deeply about Williamsport and are honored to be involved in the rehabilitation of Old City, an area rich with historical significance and a key entry way to an institution that has been a cornerstone of Williamsport for more than 200 years,” he said.

The proposed project is expected to complement Lycoming College’s Krapf Gateway Center and further enhance the arrival sequence to the college, revitalizing the area as a liveable, vibrant neighborhood that offers a level of desirability not seen in this part of the city for decades.

The design also features a multi-modal element to help alleviate dependence on vehicles, making it more conducive to walking and cycling to the Susquehanna River, or to downtown Williamsport via a new greenway on Willow Street.

City and other officials’ reaction was one of anticipation and excitement as the area emerges from a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am very pleased to see the progression of this project and for Pine Ridge and Lycoming College to continue to advance the exciting renaissance of the most historic part of the City of Williamsport,” Mayor Derek Slaughter said.

“It will be an important economic driver and I eagerly await the impact it will have on our community,” he said.

Council President Randall J. Allison said he was thrilled with latest new development, which is between the college and private developer, bringing in a new component with a private developer joining in the existing relationship between the city and college.

“It is transformational what has happened there,” Allison said citing the cornerstone Krapf Gateway Center, a 14,000-square-foot music hall to be open next year, pedestrian connection and transportation improvements, and now this project.

The original vision for Old City was to see if the city business leaders and city and county officials could incentivize development by changing traffic flow and it has turned into a project with a much broader scope, Allison said.

“I believe there will be momentum for further development, the original concept for Old City and down East Third Street, to continue to develop that,” Allison said. “I want to thank the college and Trachte and board of trustees in investing in the institution of the college, its faculty, staff and students, but also investing in the city. They’ve branched out and reached out in ways that have been beneficial. I look forward to having development in the area to benefit all of the city.”

“Lycoming County will benefit greatly from this redevelopment project and we are encouraged by the high level of dedication from Lycoming College and Pine Ridge to bring this to fruition,” said Scott Metzger, county commissioner and its chairman.

“It will further the commitment we have made to bring projects to the County that create jobs and support the economic vitality of our region,” Metzger said.

“It goes back to 12 years of founding the East Third Street Old City Gateway Commission,” said Councilwoman Bonnie Katz, a downtown merchant and a councilwoman who sits on the public works committee, which is a group intimately involved in infrastructure, traffic and building projects across the city including Old City.

“I think it is just fantastic that part of the city is going to see this kind of development,” said City Councilwoman Bonnie Katz, a downtown business owner and chairwoman of council’s public works and safety committees.

“What the College has done to that part of our city is incredible,” Katz said. She added how Kent Trachte, college president, and the college employees and board of trustees have spent so much time and effort put into making the city better, beautiful and bringing jobs to the city.

The East Third Street Old City Gateway Commission, which consisted of business owners, developers, and city and Lycoming County officials, envisioned redeveloping that part of the Central Business District.

“I know about it and we are excited about it,” said Neil Casale, a member of the commission and land owner with properties along Mulberry Street near the planned development.

“The growth is unbelievable,” Casale said. He added “all credit should go to the college president.”

“I love the growth that will come down our way,” Casale said. “This end of town is due to grow and I am excited about it. It seems to be panning out.”

“Lycoming College undertook a rigorous selection process to identify a developer that shared its vision for this transformational project. Pine Ridge Development presented the most compelling vision among a very strong set of proposals,” Trachte said.

“Their approach to the project aligns with the College’s objective of redeveloping Williamsport’s Old City in a way that enhances the Lycoming College campus and creates a community asset.

“The College looks forward to working with Pine Ridge and other stakeholders as we execute on our ongoing commitment to enhancing this historic and significant area of our city.”

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, of the 12th Congressional district, echoed the city officials’ sentiments.

“This project is terrific news for the City of Williamsport and the residents of Lycoming County,” he said. “Because of the hard work and partnership between Lycoming College and Pine Ridge, this historic part of town will soon be home to a revival of economic growth and recreation for all to enjoy. I applaud this effort which will make northcentral Pennsylvania an even better place to live.”