Downtown thriving, parks getting upgrades

By SETH NOLAN Sun-Gazette Correspondent

Downtown Williamsport has had a successful return as the arts and entertainment hub of Lycoming County through the perseverance of its unique small businesses.

Officials are continuing to invest in ways that will bring people to see those businesses. This year, a major effort was put into development of the city’s parks.

The Lycoming County Mall officially closed its doors to walking in late February, highlighting the dynamic state of retail in the area. Retail in Downtown is a piece of the experience of Williamsport once again.

“We’re finding what we talked about several years ago when investing in retail downtown is being proven,” said city council Vice President Bonnie Katz. “People don’t want to go to the big malls or the stores.”

Katz, who owns a downtown business herself, has seen the Downtown area change over the years, but what’s unique about the area is how many businesses stay.

“Most of us hung on,” Katz said. “We have so many incredible mom and pop shops downtown and we’re still here. These businesses tend to be more considerate to people that walk into stores they’ve worked so hard to build up. People want to feel wanted when they walk into a business.”

In addition to those legacy mom and pop shops in Downtown Williamsport, are some new businesses breaking ground in the last few years. John Ryan Brewing at the edge of the Downtown area on East Third Street, Rosko’s Brew House on Pine Street, and Miles Welby Candle Company and The Tria Prima Tea Company both on West Fourth Street are some of the most recent additions, to name a few.

“Do we want to see more (businesses)? Of course we do,” Katz said. “But we’re thrilled with where we are. How many small towns can say they’ve had so many businesses hanging in there throughout the past few years like that?”

A large piece of investing in the city is focusing on making the parks more accessible to residents and those visiting here.

“We’ve taken a more hands-on approach with the parks and the kids of the communities this year,” Katz said.

Many of the city’s parks are outside of the Downtown area, but Brandon Park and Way’s Garden Park are two important aspects that should be viewed as central city community centers.

“Looking ahead, we’re going to be fixing up the baseball fields in Brandon Park,” Katz said. “That park has had so many water problems in the past, but we’ve done a lot to address that issue. Way’s Garden Park is another jewel of our city and we’ve been doing a lot to make sure that it keeps running smoothly.”