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Alert
On Sat, Feb 14 and Sun, Feb 15, no meter parking will be allowed on Public Square between South Main Street and East Market Street, in order to allow for large crane work over the weekend.

Our Work

DCP's work focuses on simultaneously improving Downtown's environment, Downtown's image, and Downtown's economy.

Downtown's Environment:

  • DCP's Downtown Ambassador Team provides on-street services throughout the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Improvement District. Seven days a week, our six-person team removes trash, graffiti, and stickers; maintains pet waste stations; removes snow and ice from sidewalk ramps, maintains more than 186 seasonal hanging flower baskets and 32 large self-watering ground planters, and provides directions and assistance to visitors. DCP's Quality of Life Ambassador connects at-risk individuals to the help they need.
  • DCP has planted more than 80 bare-root trees throughout Downtown since 2020, helping to rebuild our center city's shade-tree canopy.
  • DCP's Façade Grant program, created to help Downtown’s property and business owners make appropriate improvements and encourage best practices in storefront and signage design, have provided more than $180,000 in façade and storefront grants to 35 downtown businesses and properties, leveraging $1 million in private investment.
  • DCP planning initiatives are transforming the appearance of Public Square and other key elements of Downtown's public realm.
  • DCP funded and installed pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signage to guide visitors to center city destinations.
  • DCP’s public art initiatives have produced new murals and sculptures throughout Downtown.

Downtown's Image:

    • DCP’s website is the primary online portal for information about Downtown Wilkes-Barre.
    • DCP’s social media channels and “This Week in Downtown Wilkes-Barre” weekly e-newsletter promote downtown activities to thousands of subscribers and followers.
    • DCP produces a variety of special events throughout the year, including Sunsets on South Main, Downtown Discoveries, the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Holiday Market, and Wilkes-Barre Restaurant Week, to showcase our center city's offerings.

    Downtown's Economy:

    • From street lighting to park improvements, DCP convenes and champions discussions and initiatives intended to advance Downtown’s planning, development, and long-term vitality.
    • DCP created and maintains the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Action Plan – ­the market-based “business plan” for Downtown Wilkes-Barre.
    • DCP retains and attracts businesses and new commercial investment to Downtown through marketing and direct outreach.
    • DCP is the first point of contact for those interested in downtown retail and commercial investment.
    • DCP markets the current incentives and resources that are available to downtown business owners.
    • DCP manages and maintains a database of available downtown properties.
    • DCP is Downtown Wilkes-Barre's market data source, collecting and disseminating up-to-date information regarding available downtown properties, occupancy rates, and lease rates/sales prices.

    You can download an PDF overview of DCP's services here.