Part of Luzerne County is getting ready to unveil a multi-million dollar project that will connect the Wyoming valley to the Susquehanna River just like it did in the 1920s.
The River Common in Wilkes-Barre officially opens to the public at 4 p.m. Friday and some are calling it a new portal for adventure. It's a project that's been 10 years in the making.
Now, more than ever, there are more reasons to flock to the water's edge in the Wyoming valley. A $23 million project has built a revamped levee system. It not only provides flood protection but has given parts of the banks of the Susquehanna River in the Wilkes-Barre area a whole new look.
"The community has been waiting and, I'm going to say, waiting more than 10 years to come down here and access the river," said Vincent Cotrone with Wyoming Valley Riverfest.
Something else that's completely new here is the Millennium Circle which features a fountain for kids to play in during the summertime and, for the first time since the 1920s, a levee portal system. Visitors can actually walk through the area and see the Susquehanna River which allows people to connect to the waters and the Wyoming Valley.
"The levees have provided us protection but they also prevented us from gaining access to the river," said Jim Brozena with the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority.
With new sights to see, more people are expected to "paddle" their way into our area, not just for this weekend's Riverfest but eventually for future concerts in the new 750-seat amphitheater, activity which could lead to economic growth in the Wyoming Valley.
"When people are coming to visit the area from, say, out of the area, they come down here, they look at this, it could be someone maybe looking to make an investment into the community," said John Maday with Wyoming Valley Riverfest.
To learn more about the River Common and the tenth annual Wyoming Valley Riverfest happening this weekend, click here.
The River Common in Wilkes-Barre officially opens to the public at 4 p.m. Friday and some are calling it a new portal for adventure. It's a project that's been 10 years in the making.
Now, more than ever, there are more reasons to flock to the water's edge in the Wyoming valley. A $23 million project has built a revamped levee system. It not only provides flood protection but has given parts of the banks of the Susquehanna River in the Wilkes-Barre area a whole new look.
"The community has been waiting and, I'm going to say, waiting more than 10 years to come down here and access the river," said Vincent Cotrone with Wyoming Valley Riverfest.
Something else that's completely new here is the Millennium Circle which features a fountain for kids to play in during the summertime and, for the first time since the 1920s, a levee portal system. Visitors can actually walk through the area and see the Susquehanna River which allows people to connect to the waters and the Wyoming Valley.
"The levees have provided us protection but they also prevented us from gaining access to the river," said Jim Brozena with the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority.
With new sights to see, more people are expected to "paddle" their way into our area, not just for this weekend's Riverfest but eventually for future concerts in the new 750-seat amphitheater, activity which could lead to economic growth in the Wyoming Valley.
"When people are coming to visit the area from, say, out of the area, they come down here, they look at this, it could be someone maybe looking to make an investment into the community," said John Maday with Wyoming Valley Riverfest.
To learn more about the River Common and the tenth annual Wyoming Valley Riverfest happening this weekend, click here.
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