For years my efforts have concentrated on trying to save those historical structures unique to our area. Although I may occasionally still succumb to that compulsion in the future, hopefully, most of my protest will now be limited to posts on this blog. I pleaded to no avail with too many commissions with predetermined agendas. Let the less disillusioned plead to the deaf ears behind those dais.
Shown above is the former LVRR railroad station on Hamilton Street, which was demolished in the early 1960's. The existing train station was the New Jersey Central. Allentown never met a unique older building that it couldn't wait to tear down.
reprinted from July 1, 2015
Michael, I too am surprised how little regard the City of Allentown has for its historic buildings. It will be interesting to see what the new owner of the Historic PP&L Tower Building does to refurbish and turn it into Condo’s. I wish him LUCK in dealing with the City inspectors.
ReplyDeleteAs you note in your post, it’s actually a lack of appreciation for architecture.
ReplyDeleteWhile other cities have preserved the architecture that made them unique and continue to use it to draw visitors to their towns, Allentown has torn theirs down. And instead of replacing what was torn down with something equally unique and interesting, Allentown chose to allow its downtown to be rebuilt as the equivalent of a suburban office park.
As I’ve said before, if city planners had any creativity or the NIZ board not been packed with cronies willing to accept anything, either could have insisted something better be built downtown. You could even have had different blocks themed with different styles of architecture, giving each block its own personality, character, and charm. Almost like a municipal equivalent of Epcot Center.
Instead, city leaders accepted whatever was thrown at them and allowed obscene profits to go to a select few (or one). So instead of something special (architecture-wise) that would draw people downtown for decades to come, we got the downtown office park that is already dated and will draw as many as its suburban counterparts.
Thus continues the amazing lack of vision and creativity on the part of the city’s elected officials. With “affordable housing” now the buzzword among those in office, we should naturally expect the urban equivalent of the trailer park to sprout up across the city.
Unfortunately, I agree with you. We go to Bethlehem and Easton to look at interesting architecture that’s been appreciated and protected, either by protective ownership or respectful reuse. Allentown has never been able to muster the appreciation of its architecture as have Lancaster or even York residents. There are some beautiful homes and buildings begging for attention- look at west Hamilton Street. I don’t think they will get it as the neighborhoods just aren’t conducive to revival.
ReplyDeleteWent downtown tonight to take pictures of what may be last of (former)ppl building's holiday tree and candle. I couldn't help but notice the new street lamps they installed on most of Hamilton are new. The planter bowls are now gone, except for a few blocks around 7th. Ironic, because these (cheap) reproductions are replacements for the original reproductions installed after the canopies came down. Where did all the removed ones go?
ReplyDeleteAllentown...constantly chipping away at the past.