West Scranton Neighborhood Plan

West Scranton is located west and north of downtown Scranton, along the western side of the Lackawanna River and bordering Taylor Borough and Ransom Township in Lackawanna County. West Scranton is unique in that it is situated very close to downtown Scranton; however, limited street connections and physical barriers have resulted in the neighborhood developing its own independent character and culture over time.

In 2019, NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania was awarded a Wells Fargo Regional Foundation planning grant to complete a neighborhood revitalization plan for the West Scranton area. NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania provides multiple community services in West Scranton, including financial coaching and education, homebuyer education, property acquisition and redevelopment, aging in place assistance, and overall neighborhood beautification and revitalization.

The planning process, which kicked off in the summer of 2019, included an engaged Steering Committee, community-wide meetings, and targeted outreach to harder to reach groups and residents. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020, the engagement strategy pivoted to accommodate social distancing and include virtual, rather than in-person community and steering committee meetings.

Completed in October 2020, the neighborhood plan focuses on four strategic areas: community character, commercial corridors, services and amenities, and housing. The plan identified 2-3 goals for each strategic area to be achieved over the next ten years including creating a Welcome Committee to engage new residents, developing affordable senior housing, increasing social amenities, and improving walkability in commercial corridors.

The West Scranton Neighborhood Plan was winner of a 2021 PA Chapter of APA Planning Award in the Compelling Plans category. To learn more, visit nwnepa.org/westscranton.