Diversifying Housing and Liquidating Assets: An Approach to a Financial Stability and a Better Wilkes-Barre

Urban Infill

We have heard a lot about the concern for the financial state of Wilkes-Barre and it’s time to think critically about how to rectify some of these problems. One interesting solution would be through the use of urban infill — a process of development that is seen as “filling in the gaps”. By doing so, the city can use this as a means of attracting more residents to the city by providing new housing in desirable locations and filling in the “missing middle” of housing. We have a great deal of single family dwelling and at a lower density, but by creating housing with a more moderate density, we start to fill in the gaps in our housing diversity.

Liquidating Land

Interestingly enough, the city owns a great deal of land that would be perfect for urban infill projects, while also enhancing the city itself. Below are a few key locations in which urban infill can take place in a way that would be great for the city in a multitude of ways.

First is a small strip of city-owned land that fronts onto Barney Farms Park.