Allentown's Revitalization and Our Frame of Reference

I suspect that the millennials are most enthused about the changes in Allentown, while the baby boomers are the least. How you feel about what is new there now, is probably based on your frame of reference.  We who experienced Hamilton Street in it's heyday are not so impressed with current developments.  Although the Whitehall Mall opened in the mid 1960's, Hamilton Street continued on for another 30 years. When the Lehigh Valley Mall opened in the late 1970's, Hamilton Street's decline as a destination was swift. Although the former Hess Brothers store would stay open through Christmas of 1995, most of it's shoppers entered and left via it's own parking deck, never stepping foot on Hamilton Street.

During the next 15 years, the downtown survived by serving the neighboring demographic, which was becoming poorer every year. Five years ago, when I debated about the coming NIZ on Business Matters, one of the NIZ board members actually referred to the stores being displaced and their clientele as a cancer. The same merchants and customers are now considered part of 7th Streets' success, what a difference a few blocks make.

Despite one promotional article after another by The Morning Call, the verdict is still out on the success of the new revitalized center city. Because it is being financed exclusively by public funds, and will be for at least the next 30 years, normal barometers of success cannot be used. I spend a lot of time there, but have yet to feel the buzz.

above reprinted from November 30, 2015

ADDENDUM APRIL 4, 2022: The six plus years since the above was written hasn't changed my assessment of center city...construction proceeds on the new offices and apartments. The new Strata 13 apartment building at 8th and Walnut mystifies me...what would compel anybody to move there? However, these type questions seem limited to this blog, and my frame of reference.

ADDENDUM NOVEMBER 20, 2024: I continue to have issues with the concept of the NIZ legislation, and I'm glad that state senator Jarrett Coleman is on the case concerning audits.  That said, several new developments on Hamilton Street I think will help boost feet on the ground. NIZ King Reilly's new Archer  music venue should liven up the night scene. Apartments and condos at the PPL Tower and former PPL Plaza will bring some residential private owners into the mix.

The Mann Machine

Although Jennifer Mann hasn't served in the State House for eleven years, her vehicle still sports Legislative Plates...That's not inappropriate considering the local power she wields. Ponies in her stable include Matthew Tuerk, Mike Schlossberg and Pete Schweyer.

Her father was a union boss at Mack, and helped put her in the state house in 1999. When she retired in 2013, she put her protege Mike Schlossberg in the seat and started a lobbying firm, having Sacred Heart Hospital among her clients. Schweyer is also an alumnus of Mann's state office.

While some of her clients have merged with other bigger entities with their own lobbyists, she remains a kingmaker in Allentown. Save for Molovinsky and O'Hare, that local political influence has remained mostly under the radar.

The Trump Cult

By comment, I told some readers on Friday that if they wore a red hat or shirt, or both, and stood in line for twelve hours to see Trump, that they were in a cult. Some found that label offensive, and referred to that behavior as enthusiasm against Democratic endorsed nonsense for the last four years. I agree with them that the political correctness had morphed into the realm of absurdity, and that it in turn ignited a majority of the populace against it. Kamala Harris also did herself no favor by promising grants to buy houses, open businesses and have babies.

Another contentious issue on Friday was Trump's nominations. If the President elect wanted to annoy his detractors, he could have done no better. This blog maintains a focus group, and the Democratic side was fuming. Although their original reaction to the election contained phrases such as democracy, wait and see, benefit of the doubt, the appointees regressed them back into foaming at the mouth.

Some in areas that are still blue on the map think maybe they weren't far enough to the left!?! It's hard for me to even comprehend such a conclusion. Mike Tyson learned Friday night that it's not easy to go back in time. If Trump's cabinet announcements last week are an indicator, I think Democrats already have a platform for the midterms.

Trump's Loyalty Requirement

On November 5th I did not vote for the top of the ticket. Partisans on both sides said that I should at least vote for the one who I thought would do the least damage...I voted for no damage, for neither.

As Trump began naming his cabinet picks this week, it was apparent that loyalty, rather than expertise, was the criterion. His defenders referred to a President's need for both comfort and confidence in his picks. His pick of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General seems a stretch way too far.

Putting aside any previous accusations against the congressman, his legal background is probably too thin to even get a job with a top law firm. While Trump certainly won a mandate last week, the Senate must still consider their own integrity. It is apparent that Trump doesn't want their advice, but normally he would still need their consent, although he would like them to recess and bypass that check and balance feature of our government. For political cover and electability back home, a recess will probably also be the Senate's preference.

As a conservative independent, perhaps with the exception of Rubio, I do not understand how any Republican can take pride in any of the cabinet nominations.

Trump and Rubio in Allentown, Pa.

Parks Should Not Be Political Popularity Ploy

The City of Allentown is conducting a series of meetings to find out what the public would like to see and do in the parks. I think I have the bonafides as an advocate for the parks, and what I would like to see is the parks better run and maintained! Here are my suggestions.

                   Cut the grass to the creeks' edges in the most iconic sections of the system, including Robin Hood of Lehigh Parkway and the Rose Garden area of Cedar Park. Replace dying out Willow Trees with Willow Trees.

                   Maintain traditional structures such as the wooden picnic shelters at Cedar Park, rather than let them decay until replaced by metal ones. Bogerts Bridge should have been maintained instead of years of neglect.

                   Fully staff remaining pools and traditional recreation programs. 

                   Repair the landings on the WPA double stairwell in Lehigh Parkway and other WPA structures.

                   Remove the debris piled around the Robin Hood Bridge stone piers.

I was informed on good source that some gates and other infrastructure were removed in critical places to make the parks more welcoming and inclusive. The iconic Allentown park system is not a workshop for political correctness. Although advocating for the traditional park system and the WPA structures is a passion of mine, I will not be attending these park meetings. The park department is so far behind on so many basic things, they should not be conducting dog and pony shows.

DISCLAIMER: I was born and grew up above Lehigh Parkway, which was my backyard and playground. My father's uncle worked for the park department cutting the grass.  I wouldn't have an issue with the meetings if the purpose was just to introduce new residents to the park system and what it offers.

PREVIOUS POST ON THIS TOPIC OCTOBER 21                                             

NIZ Board Issues Defense

The Morning Call published a release from the NIZ board telling us how wonderful the scheme has been for Allentown. They inform us that there are audits, even if nobody sees them. While  some information is confidential, we can be assured that everything is in our best interest.

Since the press release was in response to Jarrett Coleman's effort toward NIZ tax information, I questioned the reporter why Coleman's response didn't appear?  He told me that comment from Coleman was requested, and a later edition did contain Coleman's response.

In the early years of the NIZ the Morning Call printed one press release after another for Reilly's City Center RE, and presented it as news. Although this current article also has too much pasted up promotional fluff for my liking, it may be unfair of me to prejudge the current reporter.