The Bike Path Meeting

This evening the Park Department will conduct a public meeting* on it's Trail Network Plan, including the controversial bike lanes on Linden and Turner Streets, through downtown Allentown. My previous post, Allentown's WPA Bounty, received the following comment: I don't think we have to choose between restoring the key WPA projects OR having a user-friendly bike system throughout the city. Unfortunately, we are not even being given any choices. While grants are pursued and consultants hired for the cycling paths, not a thought or dollar has gone toward the irreplaceable, iconic stone structures throughout the park system. Opposition to the center city bike lanes is widespread. In addition to center city residents, the plan is also opposed by the police department and even the cycling enthusiasts themselves: I feel taking a lane of traffic from Linden and Turner Streets is not only unnecessary but a disaster to the residents of those streets and to anyone who uses them for transportation. Because of the park department's preoccupation with cycling, at the expense and neglect of the traditional park features, I oppose the Trail Network Plan.

produced by Gary Ledebur, Netherfield Studios, Philadelphia

*meeting at 7:00pm, Allentown Library, lower level

Allentown's WPA Bounty

When the WPA started in 1935, Allentown was in a unique position to benefit. In 1929 the city decided to expand it's park system, and acquired hundreds of acres for that purpose. We had both the space and the unemployed needing the work. A project was built in almost every park in Allentown; Cedar, Irving, Union Terrace, Lehigh Parkway, Jordan, and of course, Fountain Park. The stairwells leading from Lawrence Street (now Martin Luther King Drive) up to Union Street (Junction Street) and next up to Spring Garden Street became essential several years later. Hundreds of men would use them every day as Mack Truck turned their production to the War effort. As well built as the stone structures were, they are now over 75 years old. Steps are missing on the Grand Stairway, columns are being undermined at Union Terrace, and these monuments of our past need attention. Although they are beautiful, irreplaceable, and the icons of our parks, they are not a priority for the current Administration and Park Department. Please join me this evening at the Allentown Library, (February 7, at 7:00pm, lower level) and endeavor to change their priorities.

Barbarians Sack Allentown

As Mayor Pawlowski stood last week across Hamilton Street from the former buildings, now reduced to rubble, I thought of the barbarians sacking Rome. The Knerr Building, constructed in 1892 at 707 Hamilton Street, had withstood many changes in the last 120 years. Built for John Knerr to sell groceries and confections, it's four floors served various businesses over the century. Although this past New Year's eve, the Mayor spoke of Allentown's 250th anniversary, it's a history for which he has limited knowledge and less appreciation. As a student of Allentown's architecture and past, I was offended to hear him and the other mayors boast about the 40 temporary demolition jobs. The wrecking contractor was astute enough to remove the monumental and historic Knerr facade ornamentation, before knocking the building down. He will sell it in some other city, where history is respected and valued.
For those of you who also appreciate our history, please consider joining me this Tuesday evening, February 7th, at 7:00pm in the Library's lower level. We are attempting to preserve the irreplaceable, WPA iconic stone structures throughout the park system.

photo of mayors/The Morning Call/Donna Fisher

photo of facade from former Knerr Building: molovinsky

Association of Realtors & Used Car Salesmen

Yesterday, the local newspaper featured a point/counterpoint on property reassessment. County Executive Don Cunningham wants to postpone it's implementation because of the erratic real estate market. Although it's hard to argue with that harsh reality, the Association of Realtors and Used Car Salesmen wants the county to institute the new figures immediately. Although I suspect that their position on the issue is somewhat motivated by the thousands of appeals and appraisals sure to follow, one of their statements particularly irritated me; " It is the mission of Realtors to protect private property rights..." I happen to know 34 former property owners in the hockey arena block who would find that statement ironic. Not only didn't the realtors speak out against eminent domain, several acted as strawmen for the city. Several years ago the Association officials came to Allentown City Council and spoke on behalf of Pawlowski's point of sale home inspection, although many of their rank and file membership disagreed. With a page of professional home inspectors in the yellow pages, who needs the city getting between a homeowner and his buyer. How is supporting such a program compatible with supporting private property rights? This past election they supported several candidates by producing and sending glossy mailers, with the Association minimally identified. Such mailings cost $10,000 a pop. The mailers supported the same candidates who want the reassessment now. The ability of that Association to now be "An Honest Broker" in the reassessment discussion is tainted.

Parkway Tears

Director Harms Lehigh Parkway
February 04, 1993|The Morning Call
To the Editor:

How much longer must park devotees put up with Allentown Park Director Donald Marushak's misuse of evergreen trees, no trespass signs, and wrecking tools to destroy cherished elements of the people's parks?

First Marushak closed off a much-used slope by planting a dense cluster of 60 evergreen trees across its width.

Next, four "No trespass" signs were posted to prohibit access to 30 acres of deciduous woodland with its magnificent understory of many species of plant life. Trespass, a legal term, is defined in a children's encyclopedia as intrusion on private land. The term has no application for restricting passage on public land.

The WPA in the 1930s created a three-acre island by diverting water from the Little Lehigh Creek. The island had remained a source of joy for birders, naturalists, and nondescript strollers. No one foresaw Marushak arriving on the scene with wrecking tools to rip up the bridge, terminating public access to the island. Three masonry piers remain in place. Also remaining are 12 discarded auto tires gathering silt in the small stream.

BERT LUCKENBACH, (Park Activist from the Early 1990's)
ALLENTOWN

19 years later......
Most people have long ago forgotten that there was a bridge to the island, although the stone piers still remain, obscured by overgrowth. The curved wall and landing of the Boat Landing, shown in the lower right of the photograph, are buried. A Couple of years ago, with help from others who appreciate our treasured parks, I had the privilege to rescue the steps and uncover a portion of the landing. You are welcome to join myself and others concerned about preserving the WPA structures this coming Tuesday evening,February 7th. The meeting will be in the lower level of The Allentown Library at 7:00PM.

Bernie's City Hall Lesson

Although Bernie O'Hare has observed from the audience on many occasions, last night he ventured to the podium. It was his intention to give Allentown City Council a well thought out lesson on why they should table the vote approving the NIZ board members. O'Hare cited no less than three irrefutable conflicts of interest, and one direct violation of the codified ordinance. After all nine members were approved, through 52 yes votes, Bernie instead had learned a lesson; Allentown City Council never lets lack of due diligence, or technical aspects of the law, get in the way of moving the Mayor's agenda forward. There was some concern that new member Frank Concannon has missed all the meetings. They might just as well get a puppet and raise it's hand yes every vote; What's the difference with this Council.