US$1.3 Million Greenlit for Elevator Project in Wilkes-Barre

The City Council in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, approved US$1.3 million in American Rescue Plan funds to repair or replace five elevators in downtown parking garages operated by the Wilkes-Barre Parking Authority, the Times Leader reported on May 26. Use of the federal pandemic relief funds was approved by the Council despite some residents saying money should come from the authority liquidating assets, as many downtown employees are still working from home. Of the five elevators, two are shut down and must be replaced due to scarcity of parts, and the other three require substantial repairs. A councilwoman who advocated the expenditure said she believes having operational elevators will be “beneficial for downtown.”