Those who listen and read such things, have learned that the new owners of the former Banana Joe's repurposed train station, received a grant for $One Million of our tax dollars. The former station will be used for a not yet determined use, beyond subsidizing another chosen developer. There are no handouts like handouts in Pennsylvania, when an administration is going out the door.
What caught the attention of this cynical blogger was the myth that we were told about the NIZ. We were told that, rest assure, after the tax funded redevelopment starts, private money will start pouring in for private development. So here's the reality...A $million in public money for a private developer with no tenant in sight.
I don't know the developer, but I do know that he/she has friends in the right places. Welcome to Pennsylvania.
While other media will show you the Hamilton Street front view, I choose to show the back view of the train station (New Jersey Central), long before it was renovated into Banana Joe's. Likewise, I choose to tell you the back stories.
So not only is private money NOT pouring in for private development, as you note the latest million will be "used for a not yet determined use".
ReplyDeleteIf we don't know what the use is, how do taxpayers determine if their money is being used wisely, or even properly?
It's almost like city and state politicians want to avoid any accountability for the funding they pass out. Who would have thought?
Is there any way for taxpayers to recoup the funds in the event no project is completed before the property is sold again? Or did we just give a million dollars to a developer to do some repairs to the property and then flip it at a million dollar (or more) profit?
Whatever the not yet determined use is it better be a daytime use. No one in their right mind would go into that part of town after dark.
ReplyDeleteLooks like there are a total of 5 parcels there with +/- 7-8 acres all owned by Y&E Empire/Real Star Property Investors both having an address of 942 N. 6th Street, a property owned by Saleb Food & Vegetable. Maybe the grant will involve a larger more significant development of the 5 properties and not just the old train station restaurant?
ReplyDeleteSo the state is giving $1 million to a property investment business whose legal address is located at the shady looking site below at 642 N. 6th Street with the papered up windows???
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/maps/@40.6169614,-75.4764998,3a,75y,191.41h,89.15t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4W1fZHwhkWkaVZJLYlmJJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
WHAT ?...Oh, I'm sorry ! Welcome to the thriving metropolis of Allentown, Pa. HA !.......PJF (Paul Fiske)
DeleteSad part is I remember going to this spot over 30 years ago with fellow workers in Allentown and it was decent place to have a beer and a meal. Then a shooting in the parking lot and people were afraid to go there. What a shame.
ReplyDelete