Williamsport council keeps ordinance change; votes 6–1 after debate over brick streets and school safety

The Williamsport City Council voted 6–1 to approve an ordinance removing two short brick-street segments from the city’s protected brick-streets list after an extended debate over safety, cost and preservation.

Council members and staff described the decision as a compromise reached amid concerns about students’ safe access near Wayne Avenue and steep reconstruction costs for some sections. Mr. Scott, who presented the ordinance in its final reading, said a PennDOT estimate to fully reconstruct the First Street block would run about $500,000 compared with roughly $70,000 to repave.

Why it matters: Council members said the city lacks a long-term funding strategy for maintaining brick streets, and several argued the decision should leave room to preserve brick where feasible. Dr. Yoder urged a comprehensive review, saying the city should "preserve these where we can" while building a realistic plan for maintenance and funding.

What was argued: Supporters of keeping bricks intact emphasized neighborhood character and the value of historic fabric. Dr. Yoder and other members called for a citywide plan and for public-works input on maintenance options and outside funding sources before removing other sections. Opponents pointed to an emailed summary of the school district’s concerns about Wayne Avenue — which described narrowed travel lanes, snow-removal challenges and wear from heavy bus traffic — and said those safety and operational issues warranted paving the crosswalk areas or the segment near the school.

A council member summarized a common view that emerged in debate: "If we address the crosswalk sections where students should be crossing, that should eliminate the safety and accessibility concerns specifically." Another council member warned that piecemeal repairs could be costlier in the long run, urging full reconstruction when funds are available.

Council vote and next steps: The ordinance passed with six affirmative votes and one dissent; Councilwoman Liz Millie cast the lone no vote. Council directed staff to explore whether crosswalk work could be included in this year’s liquid-fuels paving contract as an interim measure and to develop a longer-term funding and maintenance plan for the city’s roughly dozen brick-street segments.

The vote removed the two specified segments from the ordinance; council members said they expected follow-up work to determine whether partial paving (crosswalks) or eventual reconstruction would proceed once funding and contract timelines are clarified.