The face of Pennsylvania Ave. is changing and ownership of Warren's busiest street may change as well.

Warren Mayor Mark Phillips said on Tuesday that the City of Warren and PennDOT are discussing the transfer of ownership of the state-owned street to the city.

Phillips said the city is considering assuming ownership of the five-block stretch of Pennsylvania Ave. stretching from Market St. to Laurel St.

All of the activity related to the city's ongoing "Impact Warren" project is located along the five-block span.

BVy taking over ownership of Pennsylvania Ave., said Phillips, the city would taking on some additional maintenance responsibilities but would be gaining flexibility in making reconfiguring the avenue as part of the downtown and riverfront revitalization project.

"We're continuing to work with PennDOT on the ownership issue," said Phillips. "One of the reasons is it would allow the city the chance to have greater felxibility in the configuration of Pennsylvania Avenue."

As part of the city's plans to make the downtown more "user friendly" for pedestrians, said Phillips, the city wants to shorten the length of crosswalks at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Hickory St.

The city also is considering changing the configuration of parking along Pennsylvania Ave., possibly replacing aparallel parking spaces with diagonal spaces in some areas.

Phillips said the city would also like to "for once and for all" remove bricks beneath the street's surface which contribute to maintenance problems. City oficials are working with PennDOT and state lawmakers to try to find funding to pay for the reconstruction project.

At the same time, said the mayor, the city is considering eventually assuming ownership of the new Hickory Street Bridge and the portion of Crescent Park stretching from the bridge to near the Mohawk Ave. and Rt. 6 intersection with Crescent Park.

City ownership of the bridge and Crescent Park, said Phillips, "would be one way of controlling truck traffic" on the bridge and in the downtown.

With ownership, however, would come the responsibility of maintenance, said Phillips.
"It's a balancing act" between maintenance and flexibility, said Phillips. "The city would be responsible for maintenance and care forever if something needs fixed."

PennDOT has has a road "take-back/give-back" program which could become part of the proposed change in ownership, said Phillips, who has been involved in the talks with PennDOT along with city council member David See.

Phillips said, "He (See) has been trying to flush out" the details. "PennDOT has been very good."

The proposal to take over Pennsylvania Ave., said Phillips, remains "in the talking stages. We haven't signed anything yet."