"Impact Warren" looked great on paper, but the vision for downtown Warren and the riverfront was built on promises.

So far, all the promises are being kept, according to Warren's mayor.

Two years ago, Susquehanna Valley Development Group went before Warren City Council and assured city officials that Northwest Savings' proposed multi-million dollar investment in a downtown headquarters could be used to leverage millions of dollars more in state and federal funding to revitalize Warren's downtown and riverfront.

Later this week, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum will join a long list of state and federal lawmakers who have delivered on the promise to support "Impact Warren."
On Wednesday, Santorum will be presenting a ceremonial $1.5 million check to Warren Mayor Mark Phillips.

"I'm happy," Phillips said on Monday. "What people had been telling us, they have been following through on."

Phillips said he can not think of a single instance where local, state or federal officials or agencies pledged support for "Impact Warren" and then failed to follow through.

"I don't think anything has fallen without some contribution," said Phillips. "I'm very delighted with the teamwork with the state and federal legislators and government agencies working in tandem. Sometimes I think people sense that they don't partner up to give us the most bang for our buck, but 'Impact Warren' shows what local, state and federal officials can do when they're working as a team."

The $1.5 million to be delivered by Santorum this week will be used primarily to help the Transit Authority of Warren County purchase a portion of the former Loranger building on Clark St. for a new transit center.

The $1.5 million is part of $4 million the "Impact Warren" team had applied for to create the transit center, install a pedestrian-only bridge linking the downtown with "The Point," build a riverfront walking path from Breeze Point Landing to Market St., and upgrade infrastructure on Clark St.
Congressman Phil English said last month that the additional $3 million for the projects will be included in the next federal transportation bill, with the payments to "Impact Warren" to be spread over the next three fiscal years.

The "big number" local officials are still waiting to hear about is the up to $5 million Governor Ed Rendell promised if his economic development package was approved by state legislators, said Phillips. Coupled with $3.2 million already delivered by Rendell, the money would be used for the new 629-space parking garage on Clark St.

While state officials have not confirmed the $5 million has been earmarked for "Impact Warren," Phillips said, "I'm more comfortable every day. We've been told we're a very high priority since we're ready to go. I feel ever more confident about it."

But since there are so many economic development projects vying for a share of the state money, Phillips said, "It would not be surprising in light of all the projects if we were asked to tighten the belt" on costs of the parking garage.