A lead story, in today's Morning Call, is titled "Pawlowski aggressive in fight against blight"; that's a fair statement, but besides being aggressive, is he being effective or constructive? That's another fair question. I have learned that the landlord issue in Allentown is an easy press conference for our politicians. In this short note I wish only to refer readers to my posting of April 26th, where I document that the landlord of shame, mentioned in today's article, was later paid $93,500 for the condemned property shown. Since that posting, the Director of the Redevelopment Authority, also mentioned in today's article, has purchased the condemned attached building, from the same owner, for over $99,000. These two purchases are not mentioned in the article.
According to Lou Hershman in a recent live, local, on-air interview, Pawlowski ordered the city purchase of a Hamilton St. property for $200,000 and then sold it to Pawlowski supporter for $5,000. To be fair, we need a city hall official to tell us if this is false.
ReplyDeleteBlight and More.
ReplyDeleteLong beloved south side leader frequently was overhead saying, "It's like city hall has forgotten south side Allentown is still part of the city."
Folks, wanna go for a drive.
Why not today.
Start at Emaus Avenue at S. 4th Street. Drive up S. 4th to East Rock Road and turn around (legally) and drive back down. Look at the condition of some, not all, properties on both sides of street. How is the Mayor doing?
But wait. There's more.
Then turn left at Emaus and S. 4th and go one-half block and turn left again and drive up S. 5th St.
Check out condition of many of these structures before answering how city blight is being handled.
MM said: "I document that the landlord of shame, mentioned in today's article, was later paid $93,500 for the condemned property shown. Since that posting, the Director of the Redevelopment Authority, also mentioned in today's article, has purchased the condemned attached building, from the same owner, for over $99,000. These two purchases are not mentioned in the article."
ReplyDeleteBut Mr. Molovinsky, what is the current condition of either property? Have they been cleaned up?
anon 10:18, lou was referring to the old schoen furniture building. it was sold to zawarski and sons who have two, started but mothballed, other projects on the city nickel. that 195k loss is chum change in this city's house of shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteanon 10:32, no they have not been cleaned up. they are both 2 units buildings, being purchased for de-conversion into single family houses. this project,although popular with the "old allentown" folks, doesn't put a dent in the apartment situation. the authority is concentrating on the 300 block on north 9th, and money is no object. they would reply it's grant money, i say it started out as our money.
MM. We'll check out that 300 block of 9th. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBelieve that 9th St. press conference was held nearly one year ago. Sept? Oct? Can verify with city hall, but suspect almost a year has passed.
ReplyDeleteMr. Molovinsky,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this explanation. We did not realize building name.
Re; Zawarski. Their S. 12st Street Allentown townhouse development still four foot weeds, junked construction equipment, and piles of earth and stone. More than two years has
passed since they broke ground.
michael molovinsky said...
anon 10:18, lou was referring to the old schoen furniture building. it was sold to zawarski and sons who have two, started but mothballed, other projects on the city nickel. that 195k loss is chum change in this city's house of shenanigans.
Anon 10:30 -
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor has not forgotten the South Side. In fact, he's currently trying to get your trees.
That is not Zawarski's property on S. 12th Street.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:30 -
The Mayor has not forgotten the South Side. In fact, he's currently trying to get your trees.
August 3, 2009 12:06 PM
Reply: Ya made an ole timer smile.
anon 12:59, since you know who's property it isn't, do you know who walked away there?
ReplyDeletei can tell you as a fact that although zawarski didn't finish the townhouses on S. 8th, just south of walnut, pawlowski prevailed on the parking authority to sell him another lot at 7th and hamilton, next to the convenience store. he also prevailed on karen pooley, as redevelopment director, to endorse the sale. i attended the meetings because the safe parking for female verizon workers was at sake.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThat is not Zawarski's property on S. 12th Street.
August 3, 2009 12:59 PM
reply: But it was!
Do not trust this man. Another issue behind the issue to be sure.
ReplyDeleteProbably wants to accumulate more property for a "very special area" in Allentown.
Do I smell a scam? If I do not take care of the weeds will he buy my house at a top of the market value? Please. Please. Please.
No because it is not in the Ole Allentown Historic District. Trust this man if you must.
But do not be surprised if you find out his true motivation down the road is completely different from what he says it is up front.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThat is not Zawarski's property on S. 12th Street.
August 3, 2009 12:59 PM
reply: But it was!
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If you're referring to the site just to the west of the (now former) Mack HQ, that was the mess of a small-time developer named Rick Patterson of Real Solutions, Inc. He had some crazy financing scheme where he sold the lots to private investors in order to get money to build the houses. Sold them off to investors mainly in the Philly suburbs for way more than they were worth. He did a similar trick with a site up in Lehigh Township, although they've actually built a few homes there. Obviously not much has happened yet on the Allentown site it's been sitting for a couple of years. Check out the Lehigh county assessment records for "Lova Ln"