EASTON, Pa. — Easton rounded out 2025 with $1.25 million in grants during December for investment in the future, officials said.
Procured via state and local funding, the grants will be used to modernize public safety operations, enhance the city’s waterfront and provide pedestrian and traffic safety improvements to two of Easton’s most traveled corridors.
“By working together with our state and county leaders, we are ensuring that Easton remains a premier destination to live, work and visit for generations to come."Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. expressed gratitude to state Sen. Lisa Boscola, state Rep. Robert Freeman and the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development for their partnership and advocacy for the city.
“This $1.25 million investment allows us to 'future-proof' Easton by modernizing our public safety infrastructure and making our streets safer and more walkable for everyone,” Panto said.
“By working together with our state and county leaders, we are ensuring that Easton remains a premier destination to live, work and visit for generations to come."
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The centerpiece of the grant awards is a combined $663,932 intended for Larry Holmes Drive, a project identified as the most visible and impactful for the community.
The city got $375,568 from the Statewide Local Shares Account and $288,364 from the state Transportation Department Multimodal Transportation Fund to support comprehensive safety enhancements to Larry Holmes Drive.
The changes include installing pedestrian bump-outs to reduce crossing distances, high-visibility crosswalks and traffic calming measures to improve the flow of both vehicles and foot traffic, a release from Easton officials states.
Additional infrastructure improvements on the city’s South Side at the Berwick and Seitz street intersection, funded by a $339,416 Green Light GO grant from PennDOT, will replace aging traffic signals and add ADA-compliant ramps at all four corners.
Also, $170,000 in grant funding will be directed to ensure the city’s public safety infrastructure is resilient and efficient.
A $150,000 Statewide Local Share Accounts grant will fund the construction of a new police evidence building, replacing the current storage facility which is located in a floodplain.
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A $20,000 Public Safety Grant from Northampton County will fund a feasibility study to explore a collaboration between Easton and Wilson, seeking ways to improve regional emergency response and efficiency.
Outside of infrastructure, additional grants will go to support the city’s parks and festivals, two hallmarks of Easton which tend to draw significant foot traffic.
All of the projects except the new police evidence building are slated to begin in 2026, with some continuing into 2027 for completion.City of Easton news release
Combined funding of $60,000 from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Statewide Waterway Access grant and Northampton County’s Grow NORCO grant will be used for a new lighting plan and engineering improvements at Scott Park.
It will focus on improved water access as outlined in the City’s Waterfront Plan.
A $15,000 Northampton County Hotel Tax Grant will support enhancements for the annual Easton Winter Village in Centre Square as it enters its seventh year of drawing visitors to local shops in the downtown area.
All of the projects except the new police evidence building are slated to begin in 2026, with some continuing into 2027 for completion.
