WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The public got its first look inside a new downtown Williamsport building that’s been under construction for more than a year.
The ‘Trade and Transit Centre two’ has officially opened on third street.
Eyewitness News Reporter Cody Butler was at the grand opening and shows us around the new place.
River Valley Transit broke ground on the new ‘Trade and Transit Centre two’ back in May of 2015.
The new building is part of Williamsport’s ‘Destination 20-14’ project.
“Trade and transit centre two is a combination of many projects from the past 16 years from when we did a street scape revitalization project.” Said Skip Cochran, Director of Marketing River Valley Transit
The 12 million dollar ‘Transit Centre’ was funded through private, city and federal dollars.
It sits right next to the transit’s bus terminal – a destination stop for people downtown.
“We also developed this plaza, the ‘midtown landing’ as a community space.” Said Cochran
The goal is simple – bring more people downtown.
The amphitheater on the plaza was built for musicians to play during community events
The power of music has the ability to bring anybody together and that’s why ‘Uptown Music Collective’ is back in Downtown Williamsport.”
“To play outside, to play upstairs and just bring everybody downtown is kind of that magnet that they’re working on to bring everybody to this hub.” said Jared Mondell, of Uptown Music Collective
The non-profit was asked by the city and ‘River Valley Transit’ if they would like to fill the second floor of the ‘Transit Centre’ to help in their goals.
‘Uptown Music Collective’s’ mission is to get young musicians into music and perform in the community.
“It’s great cause then we our stuff here and we can take it right out and we don’t have to take it too far away or anything it’s a lot more convenient..” said Cade Palmatier, Guitar Player, Uptown Music Collective
It’s an economic plan that helps young kids thrive in music.
Williamsport’s next step in revitalizing the city is to focus more on the West Side which is known as ‘old Williamsport.’
They are looking to add stores to boost the economy.
