Valley In Motion supports “green” infrastructure development that allows more residents to walk, bike, and access recreation. The Lackawanna Valley has bountiful natural resources and all residents should have easy and equitable access to them.
Iron Furnaces
VIM is leading an effort to revitalize the area around Scranton’s historic Iron Furnaces. Founded in 1840, the city of Scranton grew up around this site, once the hub of the nation’s largest output of iron products. It created pig iron, T-rails, and other products that fueled the nation’s industrial growth.
VIM is working to once again put the Iron Furnaces at the intersection of Scranton life. Following a visionary set of planning documents developed by DxDempsey architects, VIM leads the coalition to develop new buildings and infrastructure and place the Iron Furnaces at the center of Scranton life. At an axis connecting downtown Scranton with South Side, the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the University of Scranton, and Nay Aug Park, VIM wants the Iron Furnaces to be a focal point for residents and visitors alike.
This work involves five concurrent phases, each moving forward as partnerships and funding allows:
- Sidewalk painted footprints that lead visitors from downtown Scranton hotels past the Iron Furnaces to the trail (a 2-mile loop) or to Nay Aug Park (3-mile loop).
- Bike lanes leading from the Broadway Street trailhead, looping behind the Iron Furnaces to the University of Scranton and Nay Aug Park.
- New facilities at the Iron Furnaces that support arts, education, and recreation.
- Updated lighting, sidewalks, signage, plantings, and bike lanes to improve Cedar Iron District streetscapes in front of the Iron Furnaces and up a revitalized Cedar Avenue.
- A new Roaring Brook trail that connects the Iron Furnaces to both Nay Aug Park and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.