King’s College Moves Forward with Ramada Project
King’s reveals plans for Ramada renovation. Photo Credit: wnep.com
Construction is underway at the former site of the Ramada hotel in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The site, at 20 Public Square will soon be the home of the King’s College physician assistant, exercise science, and athletic training programs. It will also provide additional housing for King’s students. College officials say the project should be complete in time for the Fall 2014 semester.
King’s purchased the property for $2.7 million last November. The entire cost of the project is expected to reach $ 16 million. According to earlier local media reports, the college will be raising funds both privately and publicly to help offset the costs.
Two Wilkes-Barre companies will be overseeing the design and construction of the new building. Panzitta Enterprises will be handling the construction, while Williams Kinsman Lewis Architecture P.C. is in charge of architecture and engineering.
Panzitta Enterprises recently completed construction of the Luzerne County Community College Health Sciences building in downtown Nanticoke, which was formerly the Kanjorski building. They have also remodeled several area apartment buildings.
King’s has worked with Williams Kinsman Lewis Architecture in the past. The company is responsible for the design of the O’Hara Hall multi-use building. WKL has also done work for Misericordia University and the Geisinger Health System.
King’s officials and Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton believe the project will create about 20 new jobs in the area, as well as additional revenue to the towns’ downtown business district.