Being a self appointed watchman over Allentown's WPA structures is an act in frustration. Since I started posting about the neglect of the structures in 2008, I have seen nothing of substance done. Actually, besides the steps at Irving Park being rebuilt, I have seen nothing done at all. While rebuilding that small staircase was positive, many negatives occurred in the meantime. The meantime has been over seven years. Also in the meantime, another set of steps were removed from Irving Park. The staircase at Union Terrace is deteriorating to the point where that structure is in jeopardy. The repair to a remaining staircase at Irving was done with a $25,000 grant from the Trexler Trust. In the last seven years, the park department's budget has been over $25 million dollars. The playground at Cedar Beach cost $1 million. Pawlowski has rejected my offer to be a liaison on behalf of the WPA structures. I'm pictured above standing over the former WPA wall, after it collapsed this summer, closing Lehigh Parkway's classic entrance. This city's history and future are tied to our park system and other quality of life issues, not just some private/public new buildings. I know there's no big money or national attention to be gained in fixing an old wall, but we have a responsibility to the things which made this city unique.
reprinted from October 6, 2015
ADDENDUM DECEMBER 18, 2024:Since the above was written in 2015, the Trexler Trust came through with some grants and repairs. The fallen Parkway entrance wall was rebuilt with concrete, and faced with the original stones. The double stairwell was repointed, along with the remaining wall leading to the Robin Hood Bridge. The steps at Fountain Park were repointed and the Union Terrace stage area was just completed. I lobbied for most of these projects with Karen El-Chaar, and she lobbied for the funding with the Trust. Repairing the landings on the Parkway's stairwell should be the next project, they're compromising the steps and structure.
Although I'm hoping that the new Parknership might continue work on the WPA structures, I've been formally excluded. The photograph of me above at the fallen wall was taken by Michael Adams, former caretaker of the Log & Stone house. He also, after years of devotion to the park system, was unceremoniously dumped.
Since you mentioned the Log & Stone House, why hasn’t the city issued a long-term lease for the three-story home that (I believe) sits in Jordan Park. The home is to the right as you travel past one of the entrances to the park (on Sixth Street between Sumner and MacArthur Road or 7th Street).
ReplyDeleteThe home has been boarded up for years but I’m assuming it’s still structurally sound since it hasn’t been razed. I have no idea of its history, but it would seem like a prime candidate for a no-cost/low cost long-term lease in exchange for a city-approved plan of repairs (like the Log & Stone House).
While currently run-down, it would be great if the building could be restored to its former glory, as it sports a concave (Mansard-style?) roof on the top floor.
If the building is indeed part of Jordan Park, this seems like another example of where there is no attention to detail, vision, or leadership from City Hall.
No rational person who saw what Michael Adams invested, how hard he worked and how he was treated, would entertain entering into a relationship of that nature with the City of Allentown.
DeleteThe home you are referencing is in Whitehall Township. It is indeed a gem.
DeleteI believe the house by Jordan Park is privately owned.
DeleteAccording to Lehigh County land records, the house is owned by a man in NJ. It was built in 1860. The Gannons (Gourmet Shops in the Fairgrounds) lived in it until the 1980s. Peter Karoly was one of the owners until 2014.
DeleteDon’t forget the ongoing work at the large stairwell at the UT Amphitheater.
ReplyDeleteI’m really impressed that they’ve tarped off half the stairway for the work to continue over the winter. That said, I’m not sure if things will set properly when the temperature drops as it’s scheduled to this coming week.
I suppose that they could use some type of heaters, but don’t know if the heaters would end up walking away if left unattended.
Hopefully the city is documenting the repair process. If successful those who are doing the repairs deserve some recognition.
The work is being done by a stone mason. The contract is over $300K....that is recognition enough.
DeleteWith professional stone masons moderately cold temperatures can be adjusted for.
DeleteI understand that the taxpayers are paying for it. That said, this shouldn’t be treated like just another repair project, as if they’re just replacing a handicap ramp on a street corner.
DeleteTo me, the WPA structures are special, and those working on the structures today are now part of what will hopefully be an even longer history for the structures in the future. Therefore, any repair or restoration process should be documented and publicized to the greatest extent possible.
This is an opportunity for other outlets, like the Morning Call and WFMZ, to let their audiences know about the history of the structures, why they remain important, and why they should be repaired and maintained for future generations. In short, it’s an opportunity to educate.
Hopefully more publicity makes more of the community aware of the need to preserve the structures, and that awareness makes it easier for the next project to be supported by our elected officials and timely-funded.
Heck, maybe it even makes more of the dwindling number of stonemasons aware that the city is finally repairing some of the structures, and they watch for those jobs when the city puts them out to bid in the future. THAT might lead to more competition for future work and a lower cost to the taxpayers.
While I’m happy to see some work finally being done, I don’t want to have to wait another decade for the next project to happen. I, and more importantly some of the structures, might not have that long.
The work is being paid for by the Trexler Trust. I do not believe that any WPA repair project done in the last twenty years, with the exception of the road entrance wall replacement in the Parkway, was in the city budget.
DeleteYes ,Mr.Adams was treated in brutish fashion and driven out of the parkway but if he had to go through the whole sordid ordeal again on behalf of beauty and nature , he would do his part again without regret.
ReplyDelete7:40 - Thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteSame question to Whitehall Borough elected officials: Where is the vision and leadership?
I think the land is adjacent to the park. Maybe if the township doesn’t want the building, transfer it to Allentown and let them add the property to Jordan Park.
Right now, it’s not making either municipality look good. It attracts vandalism and surely worse things. Why not work together to find a solution?
Several years ago, there was a pile of ductwork waiting to be installed... probably all stolen by now. I had high hopes of that place being restored, since it was a gem back in the day.
ReplyDelete