W-b Hospitals Call Off Merger 
Consolidation Plan Fell Apart For Many Reasons, Say Spokesmen For Mercy
Hospital And Wyoming Valley Health Care System.

Ahl Hockey

Tuesday, December 05, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 11A 





WILKES-BARRE - Work is expected to begin today to double the number of
parking spaces at the Park N Lock North on North Main Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In August, the city received $2.5 million from the state to help construct
two additional parking decks. The project will cost about $5 million and bring
the number of parking spaces to 680. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The additional parking is needed to accommodate 350 people expected to work
at Commonwealth Telephone Co. corporate headquarters, which is scheduled to
open soon in Wilkes-Barre Center on Public Square. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Commonwealth Telephone is moving to Wilkes-Barre to take advantage of
Keystone Opportunity Zone benefits that include not having to pay taxes for 12
years. The deal hinged on the ability to secure parking spaces within one
block of Public Square for the company's employees. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mayor Tom McGroarty had said the parking fees from the additional spaces
will, in 20 years, pay the $2.5 million the city has to chip in as matching
funds to the state Capital Redevelopment Assistance Grant. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He said the project represents a 22 percent increase in parking for the
downtown. When completed, there will be a total of 1,920 parking spots in
center city. The project is the first major renovation to the garage since it
was constructed in 1980. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
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W-b To Get More Parking Spots