HONESDALE, PA — The view overlooking the Lackawaxen from 12th Street in Honesdale may look different in a few years.

At its meeting on June 21, the Honesdale Borough Council made a motion to apply for a grant on behalf of the Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP).

If the funding is secured, the money will be put toward the construction of augmented walkways, new benches, lighting and trashcans on 12th Street in Honesdale.

This is the first step that the GHP is taking toward the construction of the Industrial Point River Access Park. Proposed amenities for the completed park include a walking trail by the river, ADA-compliant parking and access path, a concrete boat launch and a pavilion.

James Jennings remarked that the project presented “huge opportunities for downtown in terms of modernization.” He hoped that it would be a space for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Parking in the area of 12th Street has been a cause for concern for residents for a while due to its proximity to the riverbank. At one point, councilor James Brennan had considered banning parking in the area altogether.

Streets committee chairman William McAllister asked if the parking meters would be removed during the building process. GHP Executive Director Lisa Burns told him that they would be removed. Other borough council members assured him that the spaces were geared more toward the convenience of residents and nearby businesses, not to generate revenue.

The grant itself is a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the grant can be used for the rehabilitation and enhancement of streetscapes, lighting and sidewalks.

Burns was optimistic about the possibility of a new park on the river. “It’s what made the huge impact in Jim Thorpe, and it’s what we want to see in Honesdale,” she said.