Although, Pawlowski was convicted on 47 counts, over the years there were other shenanigans not included in the trial. Someone recently asked if the city owned any surplus property that could be sold to avoid a tax increase? What comes to mind are the two parcels purchased for the park system.
The Basin Street parcel is in the heart of Allentown's old industrial zone. I venture to say that most new residents would be hard pressed to find it. Furthermore, there are no residences anywhere close to it, which would benefit from it. Prior to the city's purchase, there was no market for the land, what- so- ever.
The western parcel, last used forty years ago by a fertilizer and rendering plant, is in a flood plain and was for sale for decades, also with no interest.
Although, the city could not realize anywhere near what they paid, these two parcels should be sold. The park department is a case study in deferred maintenance. The last thing it needs is more park land to maintain. Although, I have been deferential to the new mayor and park director compared to my previous park advocacy, it's time to resume the mission, without such restraint. The city has pursued some grants toward ill advised park plans, and I would rather the city forego the grants, than contribute more to venues it doesn't need.
part of Basin Street parcel shown above
Who enabled such improprieties?
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
ROLF OELER
MM, there is a current pocket park that just such a city shannagans that these grant harvestors done the same. Finally there was about three hundred thousand spent, very little campaired to what the harvesters gathered for this pocket park.
ReplyDeleteNow some of them harvesters under the indicted one have moved on to different venue area! That being said much of the harvesters chalf was redirected to other areas of there designs administrations.
I know this will be gone and deleted by you MM when I come on to read the comments tonight.
Great idea.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% about the Basin Street property - it should be sold.
ReplyDeleteI'm less enthusiastic about selling the MLK tract, since it's upstream and not far away from the city's water station. I see a value with the city keeping this tract as park land to protect the water supply, although it should be passive so as not to require ongoing maintenance dollars that would draw monies away from existing parks.
I do think the overall premise of selling off surplus property is a good one. Is there a listing that Mayor O'Connell or Council has that would show all such properties?
My recollection is that not too long ago Pawlowski was looking at logging city-owned property on South Mountain. Not sure of that property's current use, or if it was subsequently sold. But if the city still has it and it doesn't serve a vital purpose, why not sell that one? Property on South Mountain could be more valuable than both the other properties you mention.
unknown@9:29, the sewer line runs along the creek, and in large storms overflows raw sewerage into the banks and into the creek(s), both little lehigh and cedar. this problem was owned previously by allentown, and now by the LCA. of course the discharge by the fertilizer plant was also less than wholesome. i don't think we need worry about protecting the water supply, because nobody could have been worse stewards than the city.
ReplyDeletethis blog broke the south mountain logging story, and it was appropriated by the morning call, without attribution.
MM -
ReplyDeleteMy thought is that the city already owns the former fertilizer plant property, and that future administration's might be better stewards of the park system (something I think we both hope for). In addition, I have to think that the property's former use makes it likely that there are contamination issues with the parcel, which would further diminish the market for it. Only a corrupt politician would have been stupid enough to purchase the property, but then he wasn't the one paying for it.
Agreed about the sewage overflow issue, and it does need to be addressed. My observation is that it has been improved somewhat over the past few years, but not totally solved.
On the subject of the sewer lines, I have noticed that there was a large stone building that was recently constructed at the entrance to Lehigh Parkway just off Jefferson Street. It's up the hill from a smaller building along the creek, which I believe is owned by LCA and is related to the sewer lines that you mention.
Is the new building also related to the sewer issue?
P.S. - I do remember your breaking the logging story. I just don't remember the details as far as what the property was/is being used for, and if it was later sold. Do you know if the city still has it?