Gov. Ed Rendell has made a multi-million dollar commitment to Warren.

The combined $8.2 million would be used for construction of a new 629-space parking garage.

The parking garage is a necessary component of "Impact Warren" because the project will focus on an area of the riverfront now used primarily for parking.

A new Northwest Savings Bank office building, riverfront townhouses, amphitheater, housing for senior citizens, a riverfront motel, small convention center and transit center are among the other elements of "Impact Warren" which would require replacement of the spaces now available in the "Island" parking lot.

Warren Mayor Mark Phillips said Rendell actually made the commitment to "Impact Warren" during an hour-long meeting with a local delegation last month.

The governor met with the mayor, Warren County commissioners, State Sen. Joseph Scarnati, John Hanna, chairman of the board of Northwest Bancorp; Larry Segal, the funding specialist working on the project with Susquehanna Valley Development, and State Rep. Jim Lynch.

Although he was willing to confirm Rendell's financial backing for the project, Phillips said he had avoided announcing the funding commitment because he assumed the governor's office would be making an announcement.

"The sunshine should be on Governor Rendell," said Phillips. "He clearly is a man who wants action, not pie-in-the-sky."

At the March meeting, said Phillips, Rendell expressed his support for "Impact Warren" and said he would request the release of $3.2 million from the state's capital fund.

Two weeks ago, Phillips received a letter from Anthony Wagner, deputy secretary of the budget, stating, "Please be advised that the Office of the Budget has been informed of Governor Rendell's commitment to this project and an official grant award letter, including the necessary application forms will be forthcoming."

While the $3.2 million is all but assured through Rendell's action, the remaining $5 million is subject to legislative action.

The money, all $8.2 million, is in the budget, however, having been placed there by Lynch.

Phillips said Rendell vowed he will do whatever he can to assure "Impact Warren" will receive "the next five million dollars by the end of this year."

Although the paperwork still has to be completed, Phillips said, "He said he wanted to give us $3.2 million and he did."

As for Rendell's pledge to do what he can to provide the additional $5 million by the end of the year, the mayor said, "We don't have anything in writing, but I take him at his word on that."

The four-level parking garage is currently in the final engineering design phase, said Phillips, and with the state funding, "We could be digging dirt by November first."

Scarnati said, "I have supported 'Impact Warren' from Day One and continue to be hopeful that the governor will release the funds to make sure this worthwhile project becomes a reality. I was pleased to partner with Mayor Phillips and community leaders to help fund a portion of 'Impact Warren.'"

The state funding will require matching private funds, which underscores the importance of Northwest Savings Bank's involvement in the downtown project, said Phillips.

With Northwest Savings' commitment, coupled with other private investments which will be involved, Phillips said, "We're very confident that match will happen."

Phillips credited Lynch for placing the $8.2 million in the state's capital budget.

"Clearly, 'Impact Warren' illustrates the need for teamwork," said Phillips. "We feel encouraged the momentum has clearly started. The governor's office has embraced 'Impact Warren.'"

Rendell visited Breeze Point Landing during his campaign for governor and Phillips said that since being elected, the governor has touted the project at public appearances throughout the state and even on televised "town meetings" on PCN.

Those involved in securing funding for "Impact Warren" have said that the element which would be most difficult to fund would be the parking garage. While housing, tourism, senior centers, economic development and transportation often receive financial support from the state, parking is a non-traditional use for state funds.

Phillips agreed with the assessment, saying, "Without a doubt, this was one of the highest hurdles."