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Luzerne County judge tests positive for coronavirus

Luzerne County is still pursuing grants to construct a proposed public canoe/kayak access point at the county&rsquo;s River Common recreation area along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre.
				The county is awaiting decision on its application earlier this year for a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant that would fund half of the project, which is estimated at a total $500,000, leaving the county to come up with a $250,000 match.
				Last week, council agreed to apply for a second grant that could also cover much of the county&rsquo;s match, which is permissible under state regulations, county Manager C. David Pedri said.
				If the second Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant is awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, the county would have to match 15% of the project, or $75,000.
				The administration wants to pay the match with a portion of the county&rsquo;s Act 13 natural gas recreation funds, Pedri said. Council approval would be required but not requested unless the county secures the state grants, he added.
				The idea for a canoe/kayak facility at the county-owned complex stemmed from a River Common committee that worked with the National Park Service &ldquo;Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program&rdquo; in a federal initiative to reconnect Americans to the outdoors.
				River Common
				In a different River Common project, Dalton, Pennsylvania-based D&M Construction Unlimited Inc. is color sampling calking and sealants for its concrete and stone repairs, said county Engineer Lawrence Plesh.
				The $199,100 contract will replace sidewalk and wall joints, fix cracks in granite steps and address other work at the park unveiled in 2009.
				The county is paying for that work with a portion of the natural-gas recreation funding. The county has received approximately $228,600 to $307,600 from natural gas drilling annually since the state authorized such earmarks under Act 13 in 2012, with some used for black fly spraying and recreation grants to outside entities.
				The project also will remove black stains on walls.
				&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just pressure washing. It&rsquo;s a lot more than that,&rdquo; Plesh said.
				Parkade
				The county is seeking bids to repair the Water Street parkade near the courthouse, with responses due July 28.
				Council had earmarked $300,000 in the capital budget for the project in addition to $200,000 for other work at the parkade that has been completed.
				In the finished portion, Panzitta Enterprises Inc., of Wilkes-Barre, repaired the stairway and elevator access tower.
				The work now out to bid will focus on the parking area and include major joint calking, new signs and application of a protective concrete coating that will reduce pentration from water, road salt and vehicle fluids, Plesh said.
				Bridgework
				The county administration is in the process of reviewing bids, which were due last week, to repair the West Liberty Street Bridge in Hanover Township, with a goal of completing the project by the end of September or October, Plesh said.
				This 52-foot span over Solomon Creek must be addressed because a routine inspection last year prompted a reduction of its weight limit from 16 tons to 3 tons, preventing crossing by school buses, fire trucks and ambulances, Plesh has said. The work will be funded by the county&rsquo;s $5 vehicle registration fee.
				Parking lot
				American Asphalt is near completion of a $356,300 contract to fix drainage issues and pave the parking lots at the county-owned human services building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre, Plesh said.
				Council earmarked funds in the capital budget for that project and the paving of the courthouse annex lot on River Street, which was recently completed by H&K Group Inc. for $165,600, records show.

Luzerne County pursuing another grant for proposed canoe/kayak launch