Those who listen and read such things, have learned that the new owners of the former Banana Joe's repurposed train station, received a grant for $One Million of our tax dollars. The former station will be used for a not yet determined use, beyond subsidizing another chosen developer. There are no handouts like handouts in Pennsylvania, when an administration is going out the door.
What caught the attention of this cynical blogger was the myth that we were told about the NIZ. We were told that, rest assure, after the tax funded redevelopment starts, private money will start pouring in for private development. So here's the reality...A $million in public money for a private developer with no tenant in sight.
I don't know the developer, but I do know that he/she has friends in the right places. Welcome to Pennsylvania.
While other media will show you the Hamilton Street front view, I choose to show the back view of the train station (New Jersey Central), long before it was renovated into Banana Joe's. Likewise, I choose to tell you the back stories.
reprinted from November 4, 2022
ADDENDUM AUGUST 14, 2026: Although the developer did nothing with the $million and train station, he's back with a plan....that is one slow, expensive plan! I think he's back, but asked for a postponement of the planning meeting this week. He now wants to build a six story building, with stores and apartments. Don't rent the moving van just yet. Expect to hear about additional grant proposals and the new Allentown buzz term, affordable housing. Despite the $Billions being spent on the taxpayer subsided NIZ projects, only Nat Hyman is developing units with his own financing.
I wonder if there are grants for blogging?
Coincidentally, my wife and I were saying the other day that Nat Hyman does not get enough credit for what he has done for Allentown. He has taken a lot of vacant buildings and made them beautiful . All with none of OUR tax payer money.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Mr Hyman's projects cannot offset the Ghetto housing opportunities advanced by mayor tuerski's
DeleteAll American city miniature housing planned developments.
Dam shame Nat got screwed on the election, maybe Allentown would have had a chance. And the NIZ? Still blows my mind that everything can be so secretive about tax payer money that does not involve national security. Corruption at its best.
ReplyDeleteAt some point, City Hall needs to have a discussion about how many rental properties are sustainable for a healthy city.
ReplyDeleteSeveral apartment units can be built in the same space as a single family home. That’s great for developers, but not so great for residents.
Besides the negative impact on quality of life issues (parking, noise, litter, etc.) there is an enormous impact on the school district. Instead of a single-family home that someone might own for thirty or forty years, apartments are constantly turning over. Where that single family home might have children in school for a relatively short period, the apartments occupying the same space could be housing more school-aged children, on a perpetual basis.
Also, those living in apartments tend to move more frequently. That increased transiency has a detrimental effect on ASD classrooms, and makes the jobs of teachers exponentially more difficult. Allentown schools are being packed by the poor policy decisions inside City Hall, and the ASD has the test scores to prove it.
Instead of focusing on building more “affordable” units that only results in more people moving to the city (and housing never becoming affordable), City Hall should focus on what type of housing actually improves the lives of (all) current residents. The focus needs to be on QUALITY of life, not QUANTITY of units.
Nat for Mayor!
ReplyDeleteIt’s the last best chance for the once All American City.
Agree!!! He’s got my vote ! I hope he runs !
DeleteAlthough I would enthusiastically support Hyman if he runs, I will not be printing such additional comments, with an election over three years away.
ReplyDeleteMan that was one beautiful structure.
ReplyDelete