Wilkes-Barre · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wilkes-Barre public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Traffic Safety and Speeding Enforcement
Residents from Hillside Street and nearby neighborhoods raised alarms about dangerous speeding, noisy vehicles, and cars ignoring stop signs. They asked the city for increased police presence and stricter ticket enforcement to protect children and pedestrians.
General Neighborhood Concerns & Public Maintenance
Residents reported infrastructure issues, including a sinking manhole on Brooklyn Street caused by drainage or structural erosion from nearby properties. They called on the public works department to inspect and repair aging street infrastructure.
Group Home and Multi-Family Residential Proposals
Developers and officials discussed plans for new housing units, storage facilities, and managing traffic, parking, and sidewalk safety in residential areas.
Community Facility and Historic Building Upgrades
The council discussed funding and renovation plans for historic community buildings and local service facilities to improve accessibility and modernize spaces for residents.
Multimodal Transportation Funding & Infrastructure
The city is applying for a $650,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to fund repairs on the Empire Street and McLean Street bridges.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief
Local seniors face climbing property taxes and living expenses, threatening their ability to stay in their long-term homes. The city council is pushing state lawmakers to allow a property tax freeze for residents over 65.