When I read about Billy's Diner replacing Sangria at the Butz Building, my thoughts turned to Humpty. I also thought about the Diner at 9th and Linden.
Years ago I posted about all the grants going to the new restaurants, and nada for the existing meat and potato crowd, that has been staying the course, and paying the taxes. I do believe that Billy's has a shot. Is he or Butz getting a little grant incentive, only a forensic accountant could tell. For Butz, going from Sangria to Billy's is a lesson in humility, that normally you have to attend church to learn. Now if some of the clientele from 9th and Linden ends up at 9th and Hamilton, that will be another bible lesson.
reprinted from July 31, 2013
ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 8, 2023:The above post is over ten years old. When Reilly's NIZed Arts Walk came on line he showed Butz what musical chairs really is. Reilly started out with Shula's Steak House, and now a dozen uses later, I don't even know who the current tenant is. I remember back when they arrested a street person for singing on the Arts Walk, thinking that he was degrading the ambience. One would think with the thousand plus Strata apartments there now, that finally there would be some atmosphere... $One Billion Tax $Dollars later spent on Allentown, if you want that called atmosphere, you still have to drive to Bethlehem or Easton.
Michael, so let me get this straight!!!
ReplyDeleteAt 9th and Hamilton Street the PP&L iconic tower building is being emptied of its office staff, due to the fact/need that the building is sitting partially vacant. Also, the trend in the work force ( is to work from home)
Now, we are told that one block down at 8th and Hamilton street… there is a need to tear down buildings to make way for a tremendous development of an iconic tower building which will dwarf the PP&L Tower building!!
(because of the demand for office space)
In the middle of all this sits the PPL Plaza building which sits virtually empty for the last couple of years. No one to fill that void of office space.
What the heck is going on???
anon@8:49: If the ANIZDA is going to front you the construction money, and the taxpayers are going to meet your debt service, and if you can also use Pa. Cigarette Tax, why not build? Tenants and revenue flow is for the small guys, especially when the NIZ deal involves no oversight or scrutiny.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so let me wrap my brain around this whole pile of “You Know What”!!!
ReplyDelete(Tobacco Leaves)
So, if you get tax money for selling highly taxed tobacco products out of the NIZ Zone… and your Good Buddy happens to sell tobacco products at his Topp Star gas stations.
You get to put your names on the side of Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital Center along 78.
Now I get It!!!!
(Wondering if Phillip Morris will be underwriting the next expansion of LVHN?)
The higher pay may attract more qualified candidates? Who wants to do that job for 6k.
ReplyDeleteYes boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, this Allentown situation... the NIZ joke (on us)... police enforcement of NOTHING... the once drop dead gorgeous parks looking like a weed garden... the woke schools... the whole shooting works... one gigantic SHITE SHOW paid for by boobus American taxpayers!!! And what do we get besides being scolded to "shut up and pay your taxes"... OH, speaking of taxes... we escaped the tax rise this year... but lookout next year... Rather than raise taxes, why not economize??? That word is not in gruberment vocabulary... but sure in OURS!!!!! Rant over...
ReplyDeletePlease! Higher calibre people for double measely pay? If you are a leader you lead, if you wants to put your expertise to work for the greater good of you town you run for city council. Those guided by these principles make good city council members. If you are inticed to run for the money...well doesn’t that say it all?
ReplyDeleteI miss affordable food on Hamilton Street. There were inexpensive restaurants from the Lehigh Valley Courthouse all the way up to the Brass Rail A $20 Bistro for some scrambled eggs and corned beef hash doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeleteThe ladies in my office speak highly of Abuelo's Cucina. Such places still exist, but food simply is not as cheap as a few years ago and it has little to do with the NIZ.
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