Chip Edmonds, Executive Vice President of Lycoming College, welcomed guests, followed by Patrick Marty, Chief of Staff at Pennsylvania College of Technology, who provided a historical look at Williamsport's Old City. Kent Trachte, President of Lycoming College, talked about the project as the next step in the revitalization of Old City, calling it a significant moment as he highlighted the power of partnerships in bringing about transformational change. Trachte also highlighted the role that State Senator Gene Yaw has played as an advocate for 12 successful grant projects that have laid the groundwork for a successful mixed-use project.
Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter recognized all who played a role in bringing the project to fruition, stating his dedication to revitalization and economic development throughout all of Williamsport. Expressing his enthusiasm for the future and his commitment to energizing Old City, Jerry Lariviere, CEO of Pine Ridge Construction Management, invited attendees to join him as ground was broken on the project.
Pine Ridge's multi-use facility will breathe new life into Williamsport's Old City and revitalize the area. The design features a multi-modal element to help alleviate dependence on motor vehicles, making it more conducive to walking and cycling to the Susquehanna River Walk, or to downtown Williamsport via a new greenway on Willow Street. The new facility will also complement Lycoming College's Krapf Gateway Center and new Trachte Music Center, further enhancing the arrival sequence to the college.
The Old City Williamsport project is proceeding in partnership with the City of Williamsport and Lycoming County.
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"We are excited to start this project and be part of the continued evolution of our community that we care so much about. As we break ground, the preservation and revitalization of Old City remain Pine Ridge's top priorities," Lariviere said. "All parties involved have shared a consistent vision of what this space can and will be. The transformation will help breathe new life into the immediate area and community as a whole."
"Lycoming College has made a commitment to partner with local government and private investors to revitalize the Old City area of Williamsport. This event was significant as it signaled the beginning of the next phase of the initiative, which is the development of an exciting mixed-use facility that will anchor the continued transformation of Old City into a destination for local residents, students, faculty, and staff," Trachte said. "The college selected Pine Ridge as our partner to execute this economic development project because its leadership shares our vision for a vibrant neighborhood in Old City."
