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Pittston Awarded State Money for Redevelopment

PITTSTON — Upgrades are coming to the Pittston Fire Department, as well as a park and senior home in the city, thanks to state tax money. The Pittston Fir...
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PITTSTON -- Upgrades are coming to the Pittston Fire Department, as well as a park and senior home in the city, thanks to state tax money.

The Pittston Fire Department on Kennedy Street has poles for firefighters to slide down, but to get up to the recreation center all the way up on the third floor, the only option is to take stairs. That will soon change after an elevator is installed.

"That will give us accessibility to all three floors of the building," said Michael Lombardo, Pittston Redevelopment Authority. "That's important because on the third floor there's this great old gym we believe could be used for community events. The karate class is already using it, but we believe it could be used even more."

The fire department elevator is one of several projects funded by state tax money awarded to Pittston this year.

Part of the $275,000 Pittston will receive will also be used to rehabilitate Jefferson Park on New Street. Much of the equipment hasn't been replaced in about two decades.

"It's a good idea to get it done over!" said Robert Wisniski.

"I think it's awesome because there's a lot of kids around here and they need something to do instead of getting in trouble," said Veronica Rusinko.

The state tax money will also be used to convert an old school on Church Street into affordable senior housing. They plan to build 35 apartments there.

"I think it's a great idea," said Vera Winsock. "The elderly have a lot of expenses and it would be very affordable to them."

Building more affordable senior housing is all a part of Pittston's revitalization plan.

"While we're building new housing and we're excited about that, we also want to make sure we have opportunities for our seniors, so for those that want to stay in the senior years in the city, will have the opportunity to do that," said Lombardo.

After the state tax money starts rolling in in a couple months, construction is expected to begin.

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