WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Sen. Lisa Baker says building the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza was a triumph of perseverance, because she said there was a lot of skepticism over the long-term viability of the project and some resentment that it advanced ahead of other projects.
“Fair to say it has probably exceeded the expectations of many of its advocates,” Baker said. “The arena is still going strong, while large shopping malls are dying off. This was the right idea in the right place at the right time.”
Baker, of Lehman Township, said she was fortunate to be part of the Gov. Tom Ridge Administration when the funding package came together. Additionally, she said Gov. Ridge, Transportation Secretary Brad Mallory and District Engineer Chuck Mattei ensured the timely construction of Exit 46 to provide access and open the area for development.
“An area that can pull off this type of project so successfully gives others confidence in their development or redevelopment plans,” Baker said. “It stretches the imagination for project proposals. The wide array of attractions featured here brings in a lot of people and provides a substantial economic boost to a lot of enterprises.”
Baker said this kind of reputation and positive word-of-mouth could never be achieved by marketing alone. She said advertising always works better when it revolves around the tangible — the “there is there.”
Baker noted that the arena has a solid presence on the entertainment circuit, as evidenced by the top performers and shows that appear here.
“Hosting interscholastic championships strengthens local identity and provides an important spotlight for local athletes,” Baker said. “Having a hockey team affiliated with a hugely popular NHL franchise is a marquee attraction and gave needed assurance there would be a constant presence filling dates on the schedule.”
Baker added, “Where once an arena was considered a luxury for a community apart from the largest cities, the growth of the sports and entertainment industries has made an arena a mainstay contributor for many smaller cities. The advantage of an indoor facility is that it can host a wide range of events year-round, in contrast to an open-air stadium.”
Ina Times Leader story in July of 1994, the first line said it all:
“In the end, the entire region got the prize.”
The late Gov. Robert Casey announced in 1994 that he had chosen Luzerne County over Lackawanna County for a $36 million civic arena and convention center — making it clear he had picked all of Northeastern Pennsylvania as the winner.
“This is the best project to serve the region,” Gov. Casey said at the time. “It will be regional in every sense of the word. The arena is for the people in Luzerne, Lackawanna, the Pocono Mountains, Schuylkill, Carbon, Berwick-Bloomsburg and points beyond and in between.”
The TL story reported that Gov. Casey said the project would receive $18 million from the state’s capital redevelopment assistance program, bringing 50 jobs and creating hundreds of others through future economic development.
The story said Luzerne County would supply another $18 million for the project, and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Partnership Inc. would donate 75 acres in its Highland Business Park, valued at $8 million.
Gov. Casey’s announcement in 1994 ended three years of planning, lobbying and praying by numerous Wilkes-Barre area government and development officials who have touted the proposed center as a means to showcase the Wilkes-Barre area and promote its economic development.
In Luzerne County, State Rep. Kevin Blaum, D-Wilkes-Barre, and Sen. Raphael Musto, D-Pittston Township, led the efforts. Murray Ufberg, chairman of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Partnership committee that developed the arena proposal, said the site adjacent to Interstate 81 and Blaum’s “special relationship” to the governor are what clinched the deal.
Greater Wilkes-Barre Partnership Inc. President Stephen Barrouk, who led local efforts to secure the project, said he was weak-kneed and nearly speechless when the project was announced.
“Our prayers have been answered,” said Barrouk. “And now our dreams of the convention center are coming true before our eyes.”
Notable comments
The Luzerne County Convention Center Authority provided a few comments from those who played significant roles in bringing the arena to the region.
Patrick Judge: “It was always our intention to build this arena, Yes, there was a bumpy road in the beginning.”
Attorney Murray Ufberg: “A lot of people felt that there should not be one — and a lot were excited that there should be one. The process was fascinating — a- public meeting was held and we were required to have a public vote — a referendum — and we lost by 48 votes. ‘Arena Yes’ was born and the public approved it on the second round and Gov. Casey came through with grant funding”
Rep. Kevin Blaum: “It was a lot harder than it should have been — it became a war. We had to overcome a lot of hurdles in the beginning.
Steve Barrouk, Chamber President: The biggest obstacle was dealing with people’s attitudes — there was a lot of skepticism in the beginning. We felt we needed the arena to build regional optimism. The arena created a sense of pride and it spiked development — bringing new businesses and many jobs.”
Former Sen. John Yudichak: “We lost the first round, but we won the war.”