In 2009, I presented a series of posts as the Shadow Mayor. I contended that I donned a janitor outfit and worked undetected in City Hall, where I was able to ascertain secrets and shenanigans concerning the Pawlowski Administration. Whether that disguise was real or fictional, this blog's disclosures, along with those of blogger Bernie O'Hare, became of interest to the FBI years later, in their investigation of Allentown.
The Shadow retired during Ray O'Connell's time in the fifth floor, but now is coming back, to monitor Matthew Tuerk. I must clarify that I suspect no shenanigans or illegality from Tuerk, whatsoever, but rather think that his policies need surveillance.
I have been told that he has run out of flags to raise from the Caribbean, Central and South America, and now is looking to Africa for sister cities. He also supposedly wants to make Genderfluid Identity Support a cabinet position.
I apologize for being a dinosaur, and thinking that Mayor Tuerk is too concerned with things beyond the proper scope of city government. Although I will not reveal my new disguise, I will admit that I have dyed my hair. Although Tuerk wants to protect every possible type of personal choice, I heard that regard for the elderly isn't high on his priority list. In Tuerk's younger and younger City Hall, my gray hair would have given me away.
above reprinted from November of 2022Meanwhile, outside of Reillyville in Realityville, there was another shooting this past weekend on the east side. We learned that the victims are not cooperating with the police...Apparently, there were no innocents involved.
As Shadow Mayor, I would be excited to take non-cooperating shooting victims and roust them out of town!
Besides from being relieved that it is not being imploded to make way for another NIZ glass and steel office building, I am happy that the PP&L did find a buyer for its tower. As far as the rest of the complex that extends up Ninth Street to Linden, I am hoping that whomever purchases it does use the wrecking ball on it, as its early 1970s architecture of windowless blandness has offended my eyes ever since the demise of the Boyd and other period buildings it replaced 50 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe developer should also consider the concept of Senior +55 apartments instead of the now common yuppie high-end apartments for the building. There is an overabundance of the latter, but not nearly enough of the former; given the fact that condominiums are not going to be offered.
Also, perhaps if the space north of Court Street is cleared, perhaps a supermarket could be enticed to move into near-Reillyville, as the residents could use such a business close by and convenient, or -gasp- something like a Super Target, which sells goods which people buy and need, along with groceries.
I remember back around 1955 - there was an ACME market at 5th and Hamilton.
DeleteGreat that there was a buyer, but does the buyer really have the financing to do something meaningful with the building, or is it going to be a cut-rate, future section 8? And does the parking building go with it? Too bad the buyer didn’t negotiate a better deal. For a few bucks more they could have had the PPL company too. I’m sure it too is for sale and available for quick relocation or liquidation with no commitment to the city.
ReplyDeleteMost 55+ communities are actually quite older in demo than stated, and if the target were decades long single family homeowners, the idea of a 55+ rental in an urban setting will not have the mass appeal to be successful. That then becomes a recipe for subsidized apartments, which will not merit the investment needed to transform the PPL building into something to be proud of. The building next to Strata is senior subsidized housing. While the residents there certainly do not create any issues, they do not contribute to a vibrant center city. I thought condos would be the most valuable change but I suspect the diligence suggests there would not be a market. Too bad. Let's hope the apartments are well done (and decent size) and between the tower and the former PPL Plaza a market for more upscale living is created. (Strata et al, bill themselves as upscale, in reality they are just new or newer spaces amongst what was a lot of older, and yes, run down buildings. Time will tell if they hold up.)
ReplyDeleteComrade MM, this is a very hot take regarding the victim. You come across as bitter and uncaring, roust them out of town? How could a super senior geriatric run anyone out of anywhere, would it be your henchmen? Wishing the PPL would be converted to condos and not apartment shows your bourgeois leanings, such a classist position is unbecoming of the son of working class meat mongers.
ReplyDeleteShadow mayor sounds like your playing make believe, guess thats normal in the sunset of ones life to revert into childish behaviors my condolences to your former glory Comrade.
I've looked at the developer's other projects in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton on Google street view and drew 2 conclusions:
ReplyDelete1. The projects consist of older, under-utilized former offices in downtowns. The conversions are very nice, the buildings restored handsomely and the apartments seem like they would attract affluent tenants.
2. In each case the areas surrounding the buildings seem to lack street level vitality and a vibrant feel. It seems debatable to me if the tenants are walking, biking and supporting local businesses or if they simply live there and commute elsewhere by car for work, shopping etc...
To all the nay sayers on social media (we don't need more apartments!!!!! etc.) I would argue that these developers seem pretty tuned into the market demands and simply providing what consumers want, need and desire.
9:57 - Forgive my skepticism here, but why don’t you give us the names of some of the apartment complexes that actually have improved the city? Yes, developers might seem tuned into market demands, but mostly as to how it affects their bottom line.
DeleteYes, there might be an endless supply of disaffected New Yorkers to fill these units, but their influx - aided by cheap rental units (compared to where they’re coming from) - hasn’t raised the quality of life in the city. In fact, unchecked apartment building and conversions has attracted more residents below the poverty line, strained city services, and decimated the Allentown School District with the resulting transiency that the increased number of rental units has brought.
So while we constantly hear words like “luxury” thrown around when these units are proposed, and are told of the “upscale” residents the units will attract, we seldom (or never) seem to see those promises fulfilled or the wealth materialize for anyone other than the developer.
Even the vaunted Strata apartments, that we are constantly TOLD are fully occupied with wealthy apartment dwellers, don’t seem to be able to sustain an ever-increasing list of businesses that are constantly closing.
More importantly, in a city that already has a less-than-healthy ratio of home renters as compared to home owners, adding more rental units (and a lot more), seems to be municipal suicide.
But maybe I’m missing something here. So please try again - with actual examples - to turn me from a nay-sayer to a yay-sayer.
Although the housing advocates in the city want "affordable housing", it seems that tenants that use HUD section 8 vouchers are not what those who control the NIZ desire for their plethora of apartments built with taxpayer funding.
ReplyDeleteMike in the relocating of former giants on Hamilton, I really don't see any mention of the NYFasions. The current location at Kenny's on 7th has been closed for some time now?
ReplyDeleteThat giant was bullied out of there property and than made to sink money into it's current property on 7th.
Simple... in this "free" city, it's their way or the highway, and they'll just keep ding-donging at you till you see it their way. If you are "free" taker, the red carpet is rolled out at your feet... prove me wrong!!!
DeleteDoes The Shadow drive a black Ford Mustang Mach-E that's "not a sports car?" Asking for a friend. Thought we saw you behind the wheel, because the driver just kept asking that he not take photos... https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/allentown/allentown-mayor-defends-new-electric-vehicle-amid-backlash-from-councilman
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