“I am really excited about some of the things that are going on in Lycoming County.”

That was how state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, discussed what he agreed was economic development momentum in the City of Williamsport and Greater Williamsport.

Yaw, of the 23d Senate District, represents five counties – Lycoming, Tioga, Bradford, Union and Sullivan, and he sees several positive developments and projects, especially in the core population area of Williamsport.

He spoke recently to the Sun-Gazette staff about these projects.

He pointed toward the excitement of the development along the Maynard Street corridor. Maynard Commons started with the opening in January of a Wawa and a Chick-fil-A under construction next door.

Anyone driving east or west along Interstate 180 west of Maynard Street can look toward the city and see the massive earth moving equipment to prepare the Williamsport Lumber Yards sports complex. As planned the design shows:

(7) Lighted Synthetic Turf Little League/Softball Baseball Diamonds – Convertible to (2) Regulation College Fields

8,500 SF Concessions and Admin Facility

Air-Conditioned Hospitality Hub with Playground Equipment and Dining Area.

Estimated 500,000 people a year to play or visit.

Yaw also shared his enthusiasm for The District and what is planned for the former Lycoming Mall. This Muncy Township project is headed by FamVest LLC, the same developers of Maynard Commons, who are working on the infrastructure and negotiating with clients for a retail use of the main mall property. It has the full support of the Lycoming County Commissioners and the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Office of Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The western end of the Susquehanna Riverwalk, from Maynard Street and behind Pennsylvania College of Technology, linking bikers and pedestrians to Elm Park and then a spur over to Susquehanna State Park or north to Old Lycoming Township is under the design phase.

This is part of the overall plan to extend the path west to Jersey Shore and link it to the Pine Creek Rails to Trails.

This is happening in conjunction with City of Williamsport parks improvements, including the introduction of a type of BMX pump track park for bicyclists in Shaw Place Park in the eastern part of Williamsport.

“A lot of positive things I think are going on in this area which I haven’t seen for a long time,” Yaw said.