Clueless On Penn Street

The Allentown School Board took the first step tonight toward approving the KOZ for the Phoenix Mill apartments. They approved a deal sweetener, where the developer will pay 110% of the current tax during the KOZ period, in exchange for burdening the district with countless more children. The City of Allentown represented the interested party, stating with a straight face that the type of loft apartments planned will not attract families with children. One board member actually asked what the city is doing to provide affordable apartments in center city. Actually, there is a special low income rental district, it is from Front Street to 17th, between Walnut and Washington, plus large sections of the east and south sides. The proposal passed 6 to 2.

A Principal's Bad Lesson Plan

When Zahorchak replaced Keith Falko as principal of Allen, this blog posted that it was a mistake. At that time I was in communication with several teachers, and knew what a masterful job Falko was doing with a difficult assignment. For today's post I have no such insider information, just his statements to the press. Apparently, Mr. Mayfield wasn't feeling the love from superintendent Russ Mayo. With that sort of attitude I don't think Mayfield's departure is such a great loss. When Mayfield was hired did he disclose that he needed to be bottle fed regular reassurance? Should students be encouraged to quit whenever they don't feel the love?  An article in today's Morning Call speculates that perhaps the turnover in principals at Allen is the fault of the school administrators, or even the school board. Much was written last fall about Mayfield being the first black principal at Allen.  Perhaps relevant experience should be the primary criterion.

UPDATE: Joanne Jackson, ASD School Board member, tells me that Mayfield did communicate his grievances to Mayo, to no avail.  Jackson believes that Mayo did undermine Mayfield, and likewise alienated other principals and supervisors.

photocredit:The Morning Call

The Hope and Change of Allentown's Transformation

Last week I had a letter to the editor in the Morning Call. It was a rework of an earlier blog post, in which I state that although there will be more lunch business from additional office workers, that will be the extent of any spinoff. I called the arena itself a white elephant. Yesterday, I bumped into an acquaintance at the supermarket, a card carrying liberal type. We usually disagree about things in a cordial fashion. In a less than friendly manner, he told me that my letter in the paper was "Just nasty." I asked him if he though that the arena projects would change things, and that Allentown would be a day destination and a nightspot?

He replied, "No, not right away, but maybe with time, you gotta start somewhere."

I told him that it either works or it doesn't. Furthermore, it will have it's biggest draw when new, and that the bloom will fade fast. He's hoping that I'm wrong.

The Sign of Hypocrisy

Very early this morning I was amused by the article in The Morning Call speaking of something new coming to downtown Allentown, an electronic billboard. I thought I had put the soon to be demolished Monument Building to rest, but now it features in yet another story of Allentown's double standards. Before the Mayor forced the owner to lock the doors, he had installed the exact type of new billboard coming to Allentown. I apparently was not the only one shaking my head over this story. Before 7:00AM I received the following comment.

  In regards to the future digital billboards: The sad part is that a business man had this same idea and placed a beautiful sign on the side of the 645 Hamilton Street building only to have ut turned off due to City politics.. Everything that is being thought of as new and innovative was proposed and DONE by individuals 6-10 years ago who took it "upon themselves" to make Allentown a better City. Unfortunately, we received no support so many have left or became apathetic... SMH Alfonso Todd

There is actually a proud tradition of signs in center square.  For many years during the golden era a large illuminated Neuweiler Beer sign stood atop the Whelan Drugstore, on the northwest corner.  Back to the hapless Monument owner and his innovative sign.  The sign was up for a number of months and being tolerated by the city, until one faithful day.  As a favor to the coffee shop owner,  the sign company programmed an ad for Lou Hershman running for office, just as Mayor Pawlowski was walking down the street.  The Mayor blew his fuse, and the sign shortly thereafter, when the city threw every sign law on the book at the owner.

 The billboard is actually still mounted to the building, as a testament to this hypocrisy.   Is it the same billboard firm now hired by the city to place billboards on certain streets, including N. 7th? I'll leave some meat on the bone for the paper to discover, when they adopt this story.
photocredit:molovinsky

reprinted from August 2012

UPDATE:The post above is from August of 2012. Since that time the building shown, The Monument Building, has been demolished, and a new building is being constructed by J.B. Reilly, using state tax dollars under the NIZ. Last night, Abe Atiyeh challenged the exception clause to the new zoning law, in regard to the new electronic billboard contract with the city.  Although that story is expertly covered by both Bernie O'Hare's Ramblings and The Morning Call,  this blog is uniquely positioned to add some  historical perspective and irony.

The Sad Secrets Of Union Terrace

The pond at Union Terrace was created for a particular activity. Only the steel sculptor cutouts of ice skaters remain as a testimony to that purpose and era. The Cedar Creek divides into two branches on the north side of the pond. The western branch flows in front of the amphitheater stage, separating it from the terraces. The eastern branch flows on the other side of the pond, near the elementary school. That smaller branch also flows under Union Street. Shown above is the opening under Union Street, next to the school;  It's not much of a lesson or example for the school children. I would like to tell you that the litter and garbage is recent, but it's been there for a long time. Although the city is generous with tickets and fines to homeowners, they're pretty lenient with their own negligence. Things will only get worse when the water department separates from the city next month.

Duck Farm and Hotel

At the turn of the last century Allentonians could take a day trip out to Griesemerville, and spend the day at the Duck Farm and Hotel. The trolley, operated by Reading Traction Company, actually went through the Duck Farm building. That same trolley would continue west and go through or under the Dorney Park roller coaster. Today, Griesemerville is known as Union Terrace, or more precisely, Joseph S.  Daddona Lake and Terrace. The Hotel portion still exists as an apartment house. Heading west,  cross the Reading Road stone arch bridge, built in 1824, and the former hotel is the first building on your right. Note the bridge in the lower left of the above news clipping. This blog is proud to have played a part in preserving the bridge, and my hope is that the County of Lehigh will formally recognize the bridge's historic value, and secure it's future. Collectors of Lehigh Valley historic memorabilia can still find  Duck Farm postcards.

news clipping courtesy of Danny Ruth