This week Allentown was promised revitalization by no less than two ringmasters. The director of the Art Museum described the expansion and renovation of the museum as revitalizing Allentown. I'm happy for the wine and cheese crowd, but they would be lucky to improve one block of 5th street, much less the city. Of course our biggest revitalization was promised by our mayor, who is paying a stadium planner over a quarter $million dollars for his recommendations. There is nothing wrong with thinking big, if you do the small things along the way. Allentown failed to clean the streets curb to curb this long winter. Litter fills downtown gutters and covers the corner sewer grates. News of home invasions petrify honest taxpayers. Wine, cheese and even hockey cannot replace quality of life. above reprinted from March of 2011
ADDENDUM OCTOBER 1, 2024:Both the art director and mayor mentioned above have moved on...Hopefully the art director got a softer landing than the former mayor. Despite a $Billion dollars of new construction, paid for with diverted state taxes and owned by one man, town remains dead. A new music venue, the Moxie, named after the side bar of this blog, may finally bring some life back to Hamilton Street. The new art director should concentrate on saving the former art deco post office. This blog continues to concentrates on providing a reality check to civic delusion.
It’s sad that unlike Bethlehem and Easton Allentown cannot seem to get itself together regarding a vibrant downtown. I think if we had concentrated more on revitalizing our historic buildings rather than making Legos, we would have more to brag about. It is criminal that most of the prime real estate in downtown Allentown is owned by one entity. I agree with you Michael, that the post office building needs to be saved and repurposed.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason Bethlehem and Easton are thriving is their membership in regional school systems. If included Salisbury and South Whitehall into a regional Allentown school system, Allentown would be equally as prosperous as Bethlehem and Easton. Its really that simple. ASD is a complete and total loser for the City of Allentown. That's why I've long advocated for a system where ASD is abandoned and each family in Allentown is issued a check for each child to go to any parochial, private, public charter or other public school in Lehigh County. This would bring equity and inclusion to public education in Lehigh County and Allentown property taxes could be reduced.
DeleteYour proposal is a pipe dream as the PSEA has a lock on the governor and the Democrats in Harrisburg. The PSEA is opposed to education vouchers and quite bluntly, they won't ever happen.
DeleteAllentown is destined to have the same type of schools and municipal government that Philadelphia has, given the makeup of its population and voting characteristics.
7:59 - I like the voucher idea for schools everywhere, not just Allentown.
DeleteThat said, the policies of the City of Allentown are at least partly to blame for ASD’s woes. You can’t spend decades luring people living below the poverty line to the city with government subsidies and not expect it to cause problems. Those people are mostly apartment dwellers and therefore transient, which makes teaching their children difficult if not impossible.
Until the city stops approving new apartment buildings and cracks down on those that have been illegally converted, I don’t expect ASD to get any better. So at least that part isn’t their fault.
At Art In The Park I spoke with some people from the Allentown Preservation League. They told me that the Sterling Hotel on Hamilton St has been gutted! Despite being on the National Historic Register, all old doors & the bar have been removed! I think that the bar may have been the longest bar in Pennsylvania. A crime against our architecture & history!
DeleteMoxie is the name of the new hotel attached to the new music venue called THE ARCHER CENTER!
ReplyDeleteRevitalization can only come by people with assets , income desiring to live in Allentown. For decades as people moved up, they moved to the burbs to escape the city. Spending money on canopies, bricks, or even business that have to rely on support from the outside, is useless. Maybe, more efforts to bring real jobs to the city would be a first step.
ReplyDeleteRemember, Reilly is a developer. He builds buildings and makes money from them. If they don't have tenants and they cost him money without making revenue, he will likely sell them. Look at the PPL Plaza for an example of what the NIZ will eventually become.
DeleteWhen the state money ends, and all of the subsidies run out, the NIZ buildings will still be there. Rocks live forever, and they will be turned into "affordable housing".
You speak of an ordinary development . The NIZ is quite unique. The taxes for those living or working within the zone pay the debt service for the developments. Very low risk. Eventually, many of the newer buildings will be sold by Reilly, perhaps for dimes on the dollar and he still does not lose.
DeleteIt's unfortunately the usual....the "few controlling the many"
ReplyDeleteTherefore, It is with a sad heart, we are leaving this City and Beautiful Lehigh Valley, after 54 years of returning to it, from Military service.....We are moving 3 and a half hours west/south west, along the Maryland border....To be closer to immediate family in our old age. The beginning of next year !!
PJF
PJF: good luck and great timing, you'll miss Tuerk's 15% property tax increase in 2025.
DeleteNew music center wasn’t needed, Symphony Hall could have been used for concerts. Also the newly renovated Americus hotel is just up the street and many great restaurants are within 3 blocks.
ReplyDeletePJF, it is a sad day when great citizens leave Allentown. Thank you for all you've done for Allentown over all the years and always remember that what you did for all of us made Allentown a better place to be. All the best to you in all your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteIndeed a loss. I met Paul in 2005, and have appreciated his insights since.
DeleteYou and your insight will be missed PJF. Always enjoyed speaking and worshipping with you at the former Zions United Church of Christ (The Liberty Bell Church). I can’t blame you and your wife for wanting to be closer to family in your senior years. Good Luck and Good Health!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL COMMENTS !!
ReplyDeleteThey warm our hearts !!......PJF & CLF