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WILKES-BARRE – Seven women stood on Public Square near the Rite Aid pharmacy waiting for their bus on Thursday.
It was a mild, sunny day and the Farmers’ Market was in full swing. Most of the ladies had packages – evidence that they had done some downtown shopping.
All of them appeared to be old enough to remember Public Square in times almost forgotten and they talked about how once again their bus riding days will change come Tuesday. That’s when buses operated by the Luzerne County Transportation Authority will begin using the $28 million James F. Conahan Intermodal Center located off of Public Square between South Main and South Washington streets.
“Come Tuesday we won’t be standing here any more,” said Joan Sands of Hanover Township. Pointing toward the top of Intermodal parking deck that’s visible from the Square, she said, “We will be way over there.”
Another woman who wouldn’t give her name said, “The Square will be dead; it won’t be a town any more.”
The women talked about Public Square and how it has changed over the years. When all the talking was over – and some complaining – the women agreed the new setup deserves a chance and, perhaps riding the bus won’t be all that much different.
“We have to walk no matter where the buses drop us off,” Sands said. “I really don’t think it’s going to hurt business downtown. We’ll do our shopping, get something to eat, and then go catch our bus at the new place.”
Another woman acquiesced and said, “Everything changes – it can change for the good or bad.”
A few doors down at Circles on the Square, owner Phil Rudy wondered what the security will be like in the Intermodal. Hawkeye Security Systems will install surveillance cameras in the facility, said Mayor Tom Leighton.
“I hope it’s an improvement,” Rudy said. “I look forward to the diagonal parking (on Public Square). More parking means more people, more shoppers and more business.”
Rudy, 62, has operated Circles for 25 years. He’s withstood a lot of changes in the downtown.
“We’re still here,” he said. “People will walk here from the Intermodal; my business won’t be hurt by this – in fact, I might gain business.”
Rudy said he’s looking forward to not having the LCTA buses parked on the Square.
“They block the view,” he said.
Across the Square the Leo Matus newsstand operates in the building that formerly housed the Martz bus terminal. With the buses now over at the Intermodal, so are the passengers – many of whom stopped in for a newspaper, magazine, soda, cigarettes or gum.
A clerk in the store said business has been off since Martz moved to the Intermodal last week. He said he can’t wait for school to resume when Coughlin High students come back to his store.
Next door to the newsstand, Mark Bronsburg has served lunches and dinners since 1982 at Mimmo’s Pizza. Bronsburg, 50, said his business has been hurt a little, but he is confident he will make it up in other ways.
“The downtown has shown progress and a good progress at that,” Bronsburg said. “It’s come a long way in the last seven years. Look at all the new storefronts.”
Yvonne Harris and her mother, Robin, both of Kingston, were waiting to board a Martz bus in the new Intermodal terminal Thursday. They liked what they saw.
“This is set up nice,” Yvonne said.
“It’s a lot better here,” Robin said.
The two were traveling to New Jersey and said the Intermodal was much easier to access. They said it reminded them of the Port Authority in New York City.
Mary Ann Sparks and her daughter, Marie, were walking toward Public Square via the walkway between Rodano’s and the Luzerne Bank building. The Sparkses are from Somers Point, N.J. and were in town for a wedding.
“It’s a beautiful facility,” Sparks said of the Intermodal. “It’s close to the Square. This has got to be great for all the college kids.”
Rudy said the new downtown is shaping up. He said the new sidewalks, streetlights and the Intermodal together give the downtown a unified look.
“It’s a class act now,” Rudy said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”