Before we get into this project, allow me to officially change the name of two Allentown subdivisions. I have been referring to downtown as Reillyville. Considering that Reilly now owns the state hospital parcel, formally aka Rittersville, downtown will now become Reillytown, and Rittersville will become Reillyville. Now that we have the new designations, let's get on with today's post.
We learn from the Morning Call that Reilly's new Reillytown project has the approval of the city planners. Although that might seem newsworthy to the new Morning Call reporter, the only thing that would be newsworthy is if they had disapproved. Only a new reporter could think that approval was anything more than a formality. I have already used the term planning puppies half a dozen times in previous approval posts.
Now, finally the project...There are actually those very excited about it, a mid size entertainment venue. The theater will hold about 1,500 people, and supposedly feature up and coming bands. I hope that it does, but I recall the arena was supposed to have many more events than it does. I note that Symphony Hall is also very underused. Perhaps this will be a spark that ignites some nightlife in Reillytown. Although nobody would confuse this blog or me with a downtown cheerleader, I do wish it success.
shown above 1950's era ad for the Lyric, now called Symphony Hall.
I expect that this will be another private/public partnership. Taxpayer investment and risk with private profits and lack of risk.
ReplyDeleteThe decision to build a structure is MUCH easier when you know the costs of materials and labor will be covered by someone else!
ReplyDeleteIf only the puppies were just approving Reilly projects.
ReplyDeleteAt yesterday’s meeting they also approved a new residential high rise on Hamilton (between 15th and 16th) in a neighborhood that is starved for parking. The high rise will be partially built on the parking lot of an adjacent building. They previously made the horrendous decision to approve new apartments along the Little Lehigh (near Schreiber’s Bridge) that have no business being there.
It used to be that the Planning Commission would look out for the city’s neighborhoods, residents, and landmarks like the Parkway. Now they’ll roll over for ANY developer.
They certainly rolled over again on Tuesday. Apparently they need lots of belly rubs.
ray@7:23: It's of course NIZ, which means that it will be owned by Reilly, but the debt service will be met with diverted state taxes. The Morning Call's new reporter writes that HE has invested a $billion dollars, with no mention that he's "investing" our taxes!!!! If she is in fact that uninformed, her editor/chief, Mike Miorelli, knows the score, but isn't telling.
ReplyDeleteAt a recent meeting the mention was made that a project that is a shared concern would be in front of the Planning Commission and it might be worth our while to attend. I offered my frank assessment that the Commission was even more corrupt than the zoning board. Of course this dose of truth does not sit well with average Allentonians who still somehow see the leaders they elect as serving their best interests. After the last twenty years how they could still believe that is beyond my ability to comprehend.
ReplyDeleteMr. Armstrong is correct... the elected serve "their" best interests and NOT the interests of the electorate. What happened to doing "the right thing"??? Multiple retirement checks come to mind... I worked multiple jobs but didn't get a retirement from each job... in fact, I made my own retirement.
ReplyDeleteIt is helpful that the large Allentown Police Department sign is nearby. Although parking for this venue is where ?
ReplyDeleteGee... I must wonder... will the parking authority be out in full force writing tickets on concert event nights, or will they let the infractions slide to keep the venue from getting bad reputation...??? They're out patrolling the parking lots at 4, 5 and 6 in the morning... We already know how they treat the residents!!!
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