An Old Allentown resident linked to an article on Philadelphia gentrification on his Facebook page. The link caught my attention, because I have been exploring that area of Philadelphia recently...the former black neighborhood south of Rittenhouse Square.
His interest in the topic is apparent, he lives in a mixed income area in the 400 block of N. 8th Street. You have the solid middle class income attracted to the historical district, and the lower income apartment tenants. You have those who volunteer to beautify the neighborhood, and the indifferent tenants, who don't even obey the basic trash night rules.
Unfortunately for him, the gentrification of Old Allentown never really materialized. The founders of the historic district were too ambitious, and made the district too large. Like minded people were spread out from 7th to 12th Streets, from Linden to Liberty. Although now concentrated in the 300 and 400 block of 8th and 9th Streets, another situation now confronts them.
Former Mayor Pawlowski, who himself lived in center city, befriended Old Allentown. When plans were formulated for the arena and the NIZ, OAPA (Old Allentown Preservation Association) stood silently by. Never mind that historic buildings of architectural significance were being demolished and replaced by new construction without any visual merit. The arena plan even called for event traffic to exit up and out historic 8th Street. Old Allentown should be grateful that the arena was really only a pretext for privately owned, publicly financed office buildings, and has a minimum schedule. But all this is the good news, the bad news is Strata Lofts.
The owner of the privately owned, publicly financed office buildings has also built loft apartments, supposedly for millennials. These apartments are being promoted by the local newspaper, The Morning Call. Whatever middle class is still being attracted to center city, they are now being steered to City Center Loft Real Estate. Although I have noted this irony and problem before, OAPA still stays silent, hoping for a cookie thrown their way that never comes.
Millennials are NOT flocking to the lofts. They are very small and very expensive. There is NO downtown grocery outlet, with the exception of Supremo. You can't walk around after dark without risking your life. Office workers do their 9 to 5 and promptly exit center city. The lo lifes, like zombies come alive after dark. Old Allentown is passe and there are way to many rentals in the area.
ReplyDeleteDude, as a former home owner in the very coordinates you have mentioned, I respectively disagree with your assessment. I owned a house, complete with a backyard balcony, pleasant back yard with my flower garden, climbing roses, and so on. I was once complimented with the description of a urban getaway. Point is, you can't substitute a 100 year old house, with all the amenities, for a "loft."
ReplyDeleteI currently live in Strata and enjoy living there. The apartments are occupied by a mix of Millennials and empty nesters. It’s a great community to live in, I love van brant atmosphere of downtown and enjoy going to the restaurants in the area. You have a very myopic view of everything and believe you are always right Michael. But what I have found to be true is your myopic view is seldom right and you can never admit you’re wrong.
ReplyDeleteanonymousRG123456, my post didn't criticize your life style, but rather addressed Old Allentown. However, you're correct that I'm not impressed by the "Strata Life". If you find 7th and Linden cosmopolitan, bless you.
ReplyDeleteRG192001, while I do sneer at the shilling for Strata, it isn't proper for me to allow establishing pseudonyms, but then reply to them derisively as "anonymous".
ReplyDeleteAs someone who used to reside at strata, all I can say is I’m glad I don’t anymore. Horrible experience, over priced and severe lack of security which has resolved in several residents being harassed and even attempted robberies. It seems like strata just wants to keep things quiet and paints a certain image through social media- except— it’s not working.
ReplyDeleteBeen thru this Rodeo before as in the sixties with all the construction of apt. complexes all over the city. There will always be a Harold Fulmer around to pick up the pieces and buy the apt. complexes for next to nothing. We all know where that went. Good or bad its how capitalism works and taxpayers pay,and pay and pay.
ReplyDelete