Easton's 1753 Bachmann Publick House, Easton's oldest building, one-time tavern and home to Northampton County's first courtroom, has fallen upon hard times, just like Easton herself. Easton Heritage Alliance, the building's owner, had no money to repay a $500,000 county loan, and has conveyed the property to the Northampton County General Purpose Authority.
Last night, Dr. Dan Weiss, president of Lafayette College, presented a plan to Northampton County Council that just might save the building. Before an audience of about seventy people, he proposed a four-year joint venture including the county, Easton, the college and the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Under this proposal, the college would kick in around $80,000 per year to pay for a curator. The county would pick up the remaining yearly costs, estimated at around $125,000 per year. Although it is cash poor, Easton would agree to supply labor for any maintenance work. Finally, the Historical Society would supply artifacts for exhibit.
The building would derive revenue from admission fees ($10,825), rentals for small groups ($2,500) and special events ($2,000). Once it is up and running, grants might be available that would exceed the $15,000 in projected yearly gross revenue.
Eleven people spoke in support of this joint venture, including Colleen Cunningham Lavdar, Executive Director of the Historical Society and Easton Mayor Sal Panto.
Sal reminded council that he taught history for twelve years. "That building is Northampton County and I love it. ... Let's try this for the sake of history." He later noted, "This city has given the county a lot. You keep expanding and expanding and expanding. Right now, we don't have the resources financially. But we have the staff." He pledged city workers to building maintenance. He also pointedly noted, when Ron Angle kept complaining about losing $500,000, "I would dare say we've lost a lot more than you."
Ron also questioned the business plan, which is a tad shy on projected revenue. "If this is a viable business plan, you're missing a few 0s here and there." He noted that Lafayette College is sitting on $780 million in assets and could easily buy the building. But Dr. Weiss quickly reminded Angle, "You must remember this is not Lafayette College's problem. We're willing to take some risk if others are willing to do so."
Although Angle remained dubious, the rest of council seemed to applaud this proposal. Council member Peg Ferraro said, "This gives us some breathing room," and warned against selling to a private investor. "Before you know it, there are nonconforming uses and deed restrictions can be shot down."
Peg is right. This proposal, while not perfect, is a four year experiment in which revenues are likely to increase well beyond the conservative revenues projected. I suspect the county will support this proposal when it is put to a vote. As Easton city councilman Ken Brown noted, "What better way do we have to bring history alive?"
10 comments:
oh my god. i agree with angle.
must go hang myself...
Don't feel bad. You still disagree with me.
whenever, and where ever, possible.
sometimes i miss the old days. but then i load up on lithium, and i'm fine.
Angle is a defeatist. That's how he likes to "govern" and he has it down to a T. It's much easier to defeat something in government than implement something. It is sad that he will not support preserving the history of this country. Thank you Mr. Defeatist.
sometimes i miss the old days. but then i load up on lithium, and i'm fine.
Getting chilly in here, isn't it?
Anon 10:08,
Angle is as interested in preserving that building as you. The financial plan submitted by LC means we will be losing the half mil sunk into that project and spending another $480k over 4 years. After awhile, little things like that begin to add up.
Because the business plan submitted is really no business plan, Angle would probably propose saving the property by selling it, but including deed restrictions that would preserve the historic nature of the property.
That makes fiscal sense, but Peg Ferraro notes that there are often ways around deed restrictions, and that has certainly been my experience. Hers was the most persuasive argument of all last night, and she made it in just two sentences.
This project will undoubtedly get county support, but Angle's close questioning is exactly what government always needs. He may even be right.
"Getting chilly in here, isn't it?"
yes, it is.
I attended the meeting last evening and I applaud the Mayor and the College for doing the right thing. It's a new day in easton with new leadership and a collge president that cares.
I don't find fault with Angle's questioning what I find fault with is the deropgatory manner in which he treats people, even his colleagues. I can respoect a person who disagrees with me or my position but he makes it personal.
I particularly didn't like his treatment of the college president. I give Dr. Weiss credit for standign there and his mannerisms in in response, much more composed than I may have been.
I also agree with the Mayor about the amount of expansion the county has taken in the city. I don't live in the city but I know understand better the reason for their financial problems. As the County Seat they have been supportive at the loss of tremendous amounts of taxables.
County Council would be well advised to support this endeavor. The next expansion may not get approved.
An excellant project. The County needs smart leadership for the challanges of the 21st Century.
The old ties to the past ways of grudges and posturing have no place in the County.
Stay Tuned
How refreshing to see yet another example of how the Valley's colleges contribute to their host communities. I think Mayor Panto is wise to support this generous offer by the Lafayette College.
How different things are here in Allentown. While stumping for support of voter passage of the EMS tax in front of the Muhlenberg Area Crime Watch (MACW) in 2007, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski fired off the following threats: "Once this new tax is approved, we're going after the colleges", "we're going to fight them all the way" and "we're going to make them pay their fair share"
Of course Pawlowski may have just been pandering to the anti-Muhlenberg College crowd at MACW (who's former President was cited for emptying bags of garbage on the college President's lawn).
I'm not sure if the City has "gone after the colleges" or not, I did notice that Muhlenberg College President Dr. Helm was appointed to the commission to study a pay raise for the Mayor.
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