Artful fibbing is a nicer way to put things, rather than lying sacks.... The museum blue bloods are accommodating Reilly's desire to move the arts district closer to his new real estate projects. They are being rewarded by the project being included and partially funded by the NIZ.
We few who have been questioning the NIZ since day one, can't begin to understand how an art museum falls within the purview of that development tool?
When I read that the museum needs a modern home to better house its masterpieces, I think of the Mona Lisa in that old Louvre. Those European museum directors in Paris, Rome and Vienna need to come to Allentown, Pennsylvania.... They could learn a few things here.
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In a WFMZ article, the Art Museum Director estimates that the new museum will bring in about 100,000 visitors a year, although the article mentions that the museum currently only attracts 60,000/year at its current site.
ReplyDeleteI might be mistaken, but wasn’t the purpose of the NIZ to bring NEW businesses to the city? I was already thinking the 5 block move was a bad decision, but now state taxpayers (also known as “us”) are expected to foot the bill for that fantasy?
I would hope that the state would have better uses for those tax dollars that would be diverted, like funding improvements to our failing public schools; medical insurance for kids; attacking the root causes of homelessness; etc. Instead, it sounds like those dollars will be going to the elites at the art museum and saving their fat cat donors some dough.
Also, I fully expect JB Reilly to purchase the old art museum building and then waddle up to the trough again to get him some more NIZ funding there. God knows, we really need some more bland and unattractive apartment and commercial buildings downtown.
The museum sought $21 million from the state in the last round of RACP funding. It got $500,000, but it can always ask for more and no doubt it will.
DeleteI googled "NIZ secrecy" and what pops up is "Lack of Audits", "Hidden information", "Diverted Public Funds" etc. Unless it involves National Security there is no excuse that warrents the secrecy of our taxes being diverted.with no accountability.
ReplyDelete8:36 - Agreed.
DeleteTo me, if a company or organization receives government funding, it comes with the understanding that you are giving up confidentiality.
The original purpose of the NIZ was to bring in new businesses from out of state to enhance Pennsylvania's tax revenues.. I fail to see how this project (and some of the others) qualify as such.
ReplyDeleteanon@9:32: It is shrouded in secrecy. After Jarrett Coleman started poking around, Browne added another protective layer. It states because the act only involves a few people, (Reilly, Jaindl....) that disclosure would be an invasion of privacy. The act is written in pencil, and changed as it suits them. Considering that the NIZ only applied to Allentown, and it diverts state taxes, it shows how self serving the state house is in Harrisburg. It was the ultimate "you scratch my back, I'll do something for your district".
ReplyDeleteTo no one's surprise the new director of the museum was brought in from out of town. He like the rest of the out of towners running the city and school district are using their time in the city to burnish their resumes. Long term consequences are unimportant to them as they plan to be somewhere else when the bills come due.
ReplyDeleteANIZDA backed the Da Vinci disaster based on projected attendance and outreach, whatever that is, of 400,000 in the first year. The boondoggle missed its goal by 240,000.
ReplyDeleteThe art museum is a much better institution but ideally somebody learned something from Da Vinci.
Meanwhile, the city now needs millions to pay for employee health care.
ReplyDeleteReaders of this blog know that this isn't my first swipe at the art museum move. Moving would degrade the art district concept on 5th St., mainly the Baum Art School. More annoying is that the movers and shakers of the two institutions are interconnected.
M.M. @5:58: I notice you don’t even mention Symphony Hall. Dealt a blow when NIZ [tire] Flats ate up the parking lot.
ReplyDeleteanon@1:44: On the right sidebar of this blog's web version, you'll find a search engine. Type in NIZ and/or Strata
ReplyDeleteTutor Mode.on.
DeleteSymphony Hall parking had been in the large (what used to be) Park&Shop lot on SE corner of 6th & Linden. Plenty of parking, handicapped could park right alongside the building. NIZ proposed a new building for the lot.
In Council chambers, concerns were raised about Symphony Hall parking accommodations, especially for handicapped. Strata Symphony was built. PER ANIZDA WEB SITE, it has 71 units with 105 underground parking spaces. According to STRATA SYMPHONY WEBSiTE, each apartment is limited to two spaces. Additional parking is available at Arts Walk Deck (612 Linden St). So, Strata itself could have up to 35 spaces in Arts Walk Deck and completely fill it own parking. MILLER SYMPHONY HALL WEBSITE says its capacity is 1,100 seats. Parking is at Transpotation Deck (NW corner 6th & Linden) for $10; Community Deck (block south of Symphony Hall other side of Hamilton); Handicapped parking on “both sides of 6th St. near Miller Symphony Hall,” and street meter parking. The hall’s parking concerns were discussed before constuction. I hope you share my perception that crossing streets, walking a block, or hunting for meter spaces is not as good as parking alongside the building and going in the door. Some handicapped spaces require a U-shaped path crossing 6th St.
DeleteDisclaimer: writer of 1:44, 1:37, 1:57 above, is not now, nor has been, affiliated with Miller Symphony Hall.
DeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI remember back in the mid 80s when the Allentown Art Museum expanded its footprint and chased a lot of attorneys offices and other businesses off of N. 5th Street, for its expansion project. Their goal at that time, was to make that part of downtown the Arts district.
Soon thereafter, the Baum School of Art building was constructed or enlarged. This was in conjunction with the da Vinci horse statue, which was the grand accomplishment of the Ackermann’s that ran the Baum School of Art.
A beautiful Arts Park was constructed, including a beautiful fountain, with trees and an inviting lawn. It was an oasis in the middle of downtown.
When reconstruction started in downtown by the NIZ the next project was the Arts walk which extended from fifth Street in the little alley that was a half a block north of Hamilton, and ran up to 7th Street. This Arts walk was constructed to tie everything together The Museum, Baum Art School, Symphony Hall, and Artist Galleries on Hamilton and the Liberty Bell Shrine. This Arts walk was an important part of Downtown Allentown and was touted as the Keystone of the Re-Birth of Downtown all the way up to seventh and Hamilton. In fact they even have a wrought-iron arch extended over the walkway proudly saying “ARTS WALK”
Now… all of a sudden, “somebody”decides this is all wrong and just like that they are going to abandon everything at the Art Museum and move it 5 blocks West.
I don’t know about you!!! But, something STINKS! And it isn’t A&B Meats or Klein’s Island. Just a Dumb Dutchman