As a long time critic of the NIZ, the newest article by the Morning Call is right up there as an infomercial. It involves placing an arch over the street by Reilly's new buildings, and installing a statue of, no less, a Greek g-d. The icing on the cake is that it is being promoted by none other than Pat Browne, patron saint of Reilly's good fortune.
The new Morning Call reporters are following a tradition at the Morning Call, writing good news about the NIZ, and skipping any unpleasant realities, like the 7th Street drug and gun bust at Strata #5, aka The Hive. The paper has also taken to using stories from former editors and reporters, who now have news letters and blogs.
I keep resolving to be nicer, but I just can't find any justification for it. Meanwhile, back at the upcoming election, Tuerk is claiming that Zucal lies!!!! That he can't be both a Democrat and Republican! Of course Zucal is entitled to ask Republicans to write him in on May 20th, and Allentonians are entitled to vote as they see fit come November.
shown above WW1 Victory Parade arch in 1919, 500 block of Hamilton St.
The Allentown Morning Call has been a poor source of trustworthy information for years. It’s as fake as that city’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone success. Readers beware.
ReplyDeleteanon@5:45: The editions for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are set up on Thursdays, so it's not really a daily anymore. There used to be a reporter on duty for the police blotter, but I don't know if that is still the case. The raid at the Hive still hasn't been reported, and that was last Friday. My biggest snicker goes to their previous reporters and staff, who still defend the journalism, knowing full well how compromised it always was.
DeleteWe essentially have no large local newspaper any longer. What we get is controlled and created by unknown people in New Jersey. Some area locals do send in materials for pay.
DeleteThe product is trucked into our area about 9pm. Too late for many items (sports scores, etc.) to appear the next day. Whoever is actually responsible for state and federal content relies on AP, NYT, WP, CNN, etc. all readily available on the internet in a more timely manner, and for no charge.
I’m still a subscriber, so fully comfortable in criticizing the Morning Call and all its flaws. I spend about 10 minutes glossing over it daily.
The Morning Call is a very poor excuse for a local newspaper outlet. Almost no useful content, and some of that often designed to deceive rather than educate. Honestly, I won’t miss it when it’s gone. Better options abound.
Meanwhile, Senate bill 367 passed unanimously out of the Senate this week. Let's see how many Reps vote against the idea of improving transparency and strengthening oversight of the NIZ. The Senate voting 50-0 is going to be make the Nay votes in the House extra special.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many curious aspects of this complex and convoluted story of contemporary Allentown is how marginally experienced and modestly talented individuals like Susan Wild and Matt Turek are plucked from relative obscurity and thrust into prominence. There are stories here, ones with all the classic who, what, when, where, literary elements, stories that will likely never be written - such a pity, given the rich history of the decline of a once great American city. The role of the Morning Call, one say failure, or more appropriately, complicity, in this saga looms large.
ReplyDeleteLike Allentown itself, the Call has a rich tradition and a history filled with remarkable individuals. The collapse, and compromise, of the once extraordinary American city and stellar newspapers deserves an extensive treatment that will probably never be produced.
6:55 - That’s if the democrats allow it to come up for a vote.
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday I read that Rep. Pete Schweyer won’t let the “Save Women’s Sports Act” come out of his education committee for a vote in the PA House. The bill had passed the PA Senate with some Democrat support by a vote of 32-18.
Not surprisingly, I haven’t seen the story about Schweyer blocking that bill appear in the Morning Call either, and had to find that story elsewhere.
I guess those who run the Call figured we didn’t need that information either.
Schweyer, an early Jennifer Mann product, is up to his eyeballs in the convoluted NIZ scams. Give him bonus points for keeping a low profile and passing himself off to constituents as an affable yokel while playing a significant role in a political game that is dirtier than backed up sewage system.
DeleteCount Schweyer is thrilled that his role in the ongoing corruption gets no scrutiny from the media.
anon@7:52: Scrutiny from the media? Before the first bulldozer on Hamilton Street, I criticized the NIZ as a scheme on Business Matters. Bill White reported that I was "misguided". That was the last mention of me in the Morning Call. Coleman and staff have privately expressed appreciation for this blog's coverage of the NIZ.
DeleteBill White? In retirement, Bill White earns his bowling money by promoting whatever misguided message pleases his paymasters. Bill can’t possibly believe the junk he’s been putting out.
DeleteLook, it was obvious within the first 3 years, the NIZ was doomed as a revenue producer for regular tax paying citizens. Yes, Mike, you were on to that scam early on.
What do you mean, “revenue producer for regular tax paying citizens?” The properties within the NIZ generate significantly more property tax for ASD now compared to pre-2012, benefitting (or perhaps mitigating a still considerable strain on) ASD property owners. Maybe ASD has squandered that extra tax revenue, but it strains credulity to say that same group of downtown parcels would be generating as much school and (to a much lesser extent, city and county) property tax revenue but for the NIZ.
DeleteThat’s not to say the NIZ has been a success. I’m not sure it’s been a good thing for state taxpayers, and it certainly hasn’t created a vibrant downtown whose vitality has trickled into adjacent impoverished neighborhoods. The lack of transparency on the state level has been appalling (though Bamford and the ANIZDA board improved in this area over time).
But a bit of nuance won’t tarnish y’all’s medals for being unsung heroes of the people and prophets declaring woe to the elites.
2:05 - you are not considering that a significant portion of NIZ taxes brought into the zone were the SAME Pennsylvania state taxes and school taxes already being paid by those newcomers when they were located elsewhere in this same state!
DeleteAlso, no net gain when a waiter/clerk, etc. switches jobs from a Bethlehem employer to do the same work for a now Allentown employer.
Adding to my 4:03 PM reply. Also understand, even the entire Phantoms Hockey component was ALREADY operating elsewhere inside Pennsylvania!
DeleteTo evaluate the success of the NIZ, you simply can’t count any tax revenues that were already being paid somewhere else in this same state.
That for sure should be part of the calculus for PA taxpayers who don’t live in Allentown. Outside of a few examples like ADP, many of the businesses previously operated in the suburbs. Now, I doubt many of those suburban office parks lost property value and generated less school property tax as a result, so one could argue that redeveloping previously low-tax-generating properties in Allentown was a net benefit for PA school districts/school property taxpayers. But I don’t think government should be putting its hand on the scales like that. My main point above was that it was a definite win for ASD taxpayers, whom I would include among the regular tax paying citizens @8:30 mentioned. Even if that win was overwhelmed/overshadowed by a bunch of other budgetary challenges and district mismanagement.
DeleteHow much awareness is there in Harrisburg and the other major cities in Pennsylvania about the NIZ in Allentown? Is there an envyness of its funding and a feeling that the money going into Allentown is something that is coming out of their pockets? Or is it essentially being ignored in Erie, or Altoona or the other cities in Pennsylvania because they just don't sense that it is money being funneled into Allentown as they worry about their local issues and what is happening in Alllentown just isn't a concern of theirs? Especially as Allentown is in the eastern part of the state and they are in Western Pennsylvania?
ReplyDeleteI’ve never understood the point you make either. The NIZ clearly has produced NO additional (new) tax dollars going into state coffers over its entire, approx. 15 year history. It’s been a financial loser for the rest of the state. Why it continues on is a mystery.
DeletePlease, Erie and Altoona don’t count for squat.
Delete@7:32 it’s not that clear-cut. The NIZ generated sound $22 million annually in state taxes prior to 2012. For the first 5 years or so, if I recall, it generated less than that. But in the past 6-8 years, ANIZDA has returned in excess of $22 million — sometimes more than $30, I think. So overall, the state hasn’t necessarily retained less tax revenue than it did pre-2012.
DeleteIn order to consider this a success, you would also want to factor in inflation if you’re assuming those properties in the NIZ would have continued producing as much or more tax revenue over the past 13 years even without the NIZ. It’s also worth noting how much of the NIZ tax revenue has come from cigarette sales (probably 30-50% of all tax revenue many years over the past decade). Definitely not an unqualified success for state taxpayers, even working under the assumption that business tax incentives can be a useful economic development tool from a macro perspective (I’m not so sure). All that to say, it hasn’t been an unqualified tax revenue failure for the state coffers, either.
Also, the state will, of course, retain 100% of the state tax revenue generated by properties in the NIZ post-2042. It remains to be seen how strong the tax base remains in decades to come (arena performance, office occupancy rates, etc.), and we'll never know how that post-2042 tax revenue compares to post-2042 revenue in an alternate reality where the NIZ never existed. But that's another factor to consider in the overall NIZ cost-benefit analysis for state taxpayers.
Delete7:21 & 7:32 -
ReplyDeleteIt continues because other minor cities are getting their own mini-NIZ’s.
Reading and Lancaster already have their own CRIZ’s, and I believe that Erie does also. I’m not sure about Altoona, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they had their own “special” zone or something similar as well.
In short, other areas are being bought off with (you guessed it) our own tax dollars.
It’s a great deal for politicians - and their donors who ultimately receive the funds.
Magnify this abusive Pennsylvania taxpayer funny business out to the Federal level. Is it any wonder America is facing a potential bankruptcy? Folks, POLITICIANS are failing us.
DeleteMy policy now, if a candidate is finishing their second term, they will no longer get a vote from me. By that point, the rot has already begun. We need different people.
anon@8:02: CRIZ'S and Keystones abate property tax, but don't pay your debt service...The NIZ remains one of a kind.
DeleteIt will remain for its full term (30 years)
It appears as if the Stratas failed to attract their target demographic,. Ce-Ce need no longer fear gentrification
1,500 more apartments don't help Allentown's issues at all, but may well complicate them.
I hope the new gateway arch to the "trendy" Center City West section helps businesses there. Currently, you have a hugely popular/successful South Whitehall based coffee shop (Nowhere Coffee) on North 9th Street that is open occasionally on weekdays and as mentioned yesterday, an otherwise popular/successful local craft brewery/restaurant in the 800 block of Hamilton Street that is open only 3 days a week. How long has the NIZ been up and running with how many new dwelling units and still businesses struggle within its confines.
ReplyDeleteThe businesses are not actually struggling. The management of the buildings are pushing out tenants by their changing rules and having too much say on how the businesses run.
DeleteAll this money flying around the State means we're all paying too much into Harrisburg, which our esteemed State representatives use to make themselves appear indispensable to our survival. We are such suckers for allowing this ineffective inefficient corrupt system to continue.
ReplyDeleteFor someone who I assumed had some artistic soul in their body since you curate an artist's portfolio, you disappoint. I think both the statue with the historical connection to the theatre and the arch designating the arrival into an up and coming downtown area are appropriate use for excess dollars that aren't earmarked for other projects. Good thing you aren't desiring to be on the planning board like you are wanting to be on the Parknership.
ReplyDeleteanon@8:55: I would think that after 15 years and $2Billion, the successful downtown should have already arrived.
DeleteThis is why I asked yesterday if the NIZ is going to be expanding to incorporate all of lower Hamilton Street down to the Lehigh River.
DeleteIf there is another 15 years worth of money in the trough that will need to be spent, it will need to be spent on -something-. That is how government works.
There is much more of Allentown that can be torn down and turned into glass and steel and parking decks and beehive apartments that no one lives in.
Debt service on all the existing projects continues through 2042. Most of the leftover revenue is returned to the state. Topper’s convenience store business can also dial back the cigarette purchases from his and Reilly’s wholesaler if the extra cig stamping tax revenue isn’t necessary ;)
DeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteAs a former store owner in Downtown Allentown. I was recently asked by one of my customers if I would ever consider returning to the Downtown Area. I told them that Downtown is no longer a shopping destination and is considered an urban business center and entertainment destination.
Also, the obvious lack of foot-traffic on the sidewalk during weekdays at key times speaks volumes of the lack of interest in Downtown.
I’m also observing the closure of businesses in the unit block of N.6th Street across from symphony Hall. I believe there was an Upscale hair salon, plus a Clothing store called Good Guys, I believe was the name. Plus numerous pop-up stores in the Riley building on N. 6th St. that failed!
I imagine they’ll have to rename the Arts walk after the museum relocate’s itself at the end of the Arts Walk. Which makes me also wonder… since the museum is moving from N. 5th street, what’s the sense of having The Arts Park any longer? Plus could the Baum School of Art be the next thing to leave Downtown Allentown?
It could be be repurposed and renamed as the RILEY & BROWNE ART OF THE DEAL INSTITUTE!!!!! Just Sayin!
Can the Baum School survive the loss of Rudy’s indomitable guidance and now the loss of the AAM?
DeleteThat may hinge on the new tenant of the Museum building. It’s difficult to be optimistic. I’m curious about the back room conversations regarding the future of the current museum building. The lack of transparency is as astonishing as it is predictable.
@9:28
DeleteWho, pray tell, goes to downtown Allentown for entertainment?
How many events does the hockey facility host in a year?
Other than the NIZ and promise neighborhoods, what still exists of the All American City of the 70's ?
ReplyDeleteWhat exists, you ask... areas of police no-go zones... ask me how I know!
DeleteMM
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when Allentown was a regional destination for theater with the professional Rodale Theatre, the creative Theatre Outlet, the charming musicals at the Civic Little Theater and some wonderful surprises at the Civic Theatre Black Box. Those days are gone and soon they won’t even exist in memory.
Addendum: Muhlenberg College has been an outstanding example of all things theatre related for approaching 50 years. Both the program’s executive/artistic director and its set designer are have been the equal to any theatre educators anywhere!
Allentown College lends its name to outstanding productions and festivals.
Just a few years ago we were told to brace ourselves for the tidal wave of young unban creatives and professionals heading for the vibrant environment of center city Allentown and all it offers.
No amount of faux memorials, second rate architectural features or design elements changes the perception, mirrored in reality, of a city mired in decline highlighted by a lack of foresight, creativity, dining, safety and, critically, leadership.
No one with an any decent options chooses to send their children into the once stellar Allentown School District. A harsh bottom line.
The recent decision to move the Allentown Art Museum stands out as a singular example of astonishingly bad decisions…and yes, Allentown’s unparalleled park system continues to sink into decline.
Addendum: The tradition of the phenomenal Fairgrounds Farmers Market continues and Allentown Central Catholic thrives against all odds.
SALUTE!
And that about sums it up: Fairgrounds and Central Catholic, both supported by "Out of Towners".
DeleteSo what has driven all the Allentonians out of Allentown. Lack of retail stores? lack of rental units? lack of entertainment options?
ReplyDeleteNo, poor quality of life drove them out. So, what are we squandering a fortune of tax dollars on? Retail stores, rental units, entertainment options. This is the type of decision you get when self serving politicians and their buddies are making the decisions.
The line of demarcation was 12th., than 15th, then 17th. Can properties in the West End hold their value in the face of rising taxes, falling services and the perception of crime?
ReplyDeleteThat "line" is actually farther West than most people realize. The JCC was considering moving at least 15-20 years ago... they saw what was coming and it is now there.
DeleteThe JCC is still considering a move when the economic conditions are remotely favorable. Young Jewish families have moved west and they travel east to take advantage of the services the JCC offers.
DeleteThe tremendous social capital Jews provided to Allentown for generations is on the wane.
In today's real estate market, all homes are holding their value, even in Allentown. The only question, will homes in West Park, Fairgrounds and neighborhoods to the west be sold to owner-occupants or turned into rentals. The line in 2025 feels like 22nd Street and the neighborhoods to the west are still viable but cultural incompatibility is relentlessly chipping away...I fear those neighborhoods are on borrowed time.
DeleteWho are you the potential occupants for the current Allentown Art Museum property?
ReplyDeleteIt seems unlikely that any plans to build a new facility would proceed without a least a tentative buyer or interested concerns.
I’m not a betting man but I will wager that the current AAM Director will have moved on to greener pastures in less than three years.
mj adams
Medical Office, Apartments or a Warehouse.
DeleteThere’s no bad press about Reilley and the NIZ because the employees and tenants have a confidentiality clause in their contracts. Even if they want to say something bad, they cannot.
ReplyDelete