Northampton County Executive John Stoffa, during last night's meeting of County Council, told them how the recent decision to close Allentown State Hospital (ASH) will affect us."Are you thinking of turning us in?" asked Council Prez Ron Angle.
"Not yet," answered Stoffa.
Pennsylvania has seven state hospitals, aside from ASH. A $34 million budget for 175 people at ASH translates to $220 thousand per patient. "We knew that wasn't going to go on forever."
Northampton County has fifty people at ASH. Thirty-five of those people will be placed in the County's care, and the state will provide $110 thousand annually for each patient, who will be housed in group homes. "They won't be just dumped on the streets or dumped into flophouses or apartment houses." The other fifteen will go directly to Wernersville State Hospital.
Ann McHale noted that, in some group homes where security is lax, patients could be standing outside in 10 degree weather with no coats. "That does happen when people stop taking their medication," answered Stoffa, but he added the county has moved hundreds of people out of the state hospital without incident. "All those people have gone into the community somewhere."
Lamont McClure stated that there's an opportunity "out of the ashes of that rubble," and suggested that both Lehigh and Northampton County start a work release and treatment facility there. "It seems to be almost tailor made for us to partner with Lehigh County."
"It's a wonderful idea if the stars are aligned, but they're not," answered Stoffa. He noted Lehigh County already has a downtown jail with ample space and has invested in a work release center in Salisbury Township. More importantly, Stoffa noted the courts want a separate facility in Northampton County. "We did try three different times with Salisbury Township. We could have done that with Lehigh County, but our courts are not in favor of that, and this is 200 acres that everybody under the sun wants, including the Mayor of Allentown, and you read about other people who are interested in it. They see it as prime land for development, not for a jail or a treatment center necessarily."
"It would be nice if both counties would move towards that initiative, but I don't see it happening."
Stoffa explained if he pursued a work release center in Salisbury Township or ASH, he would be taking on the courts.
"That's a tough team to take on."
The Exec also noted that, while there are 200 acres at the ASH campus in Allentown, there's another 17 acres in East Allen Township, located near a park.
Blogger's Note: Blogger comments enabled.
Ha that is hilarious! Dump your inmates on Allentown.
ReplyDeleteStoffa is 100% accurate. There is no way that site, in a good neighborhood in a city already over burdened with social services, will ever be a jail.
It's really a beautiful campus. it actually reminds me of a small college.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful but I doubt many of those buildings will convert easily to anything, other than an insane asylum or a jail. Neither will happen.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the best use for much of the land is residential development (market rate). It is an attractive area with nice views convenient to many amenities. Adding some middle income residents to the city certainly couldn't hurt its image and it may even diversify the electoral base.
There already is a new middle school budgeted for the ASD on the east side and an addition to Ritter is planned as well. In theory, the schools can handle a little bit of added capacity. Maybe the middle school can be located on the grounds.
The land is to far from a highway exit for significant commercial use.
Some people are against new housing in Allentown but there are many up sides to it. Besides, it sure beats the proposed use suggested in your story here Bernie.
I agree. Depending on how it's done, it could be a beautiful place to live.
ReplyDeleteThe east side of Allentown has been forelorn and forgotten in many ways. Yet it has tremendous potential. Using that land for a "village" with middle class homeowners, ponds, jogging trails, playgrounds and other amenities would be a terrific use of the property.
ReplyDeleteIt has been forgotten in people's minds but there really is a lot happening on the east side.
ReplyDeleteYou have CocaCola Park, the Pig Pen, an expanded Dieruff, brand new Allentown Commons Shopping Center, New England Avenue is under construction, and Overlook Park which is a nice mixed income community. I'm sure I missed one or two things.
When the American Parkway bridge is complete a lot more will happen in the northern part of the east side and Airport Rd.
East side is actually my favorite part of A-town. And 12:46, you've forgotten Stahley's and the LV Baseball Academy.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the squeeze in apprtments going up by the rail yard. That is bound to draw folks out of Center City. I am really curious who the private investors are.
ReplyDeleteThe apartments over by Keck and the rail yard were forced through by a group of investors during Afflerback's tenure. The land was zoned for townhouses but the developer took the city to court court stating that the zoning made the property economically undevelopable. The city gave the variance to avoid an expensive court fight.
ReplyDeleteThe same developer came back with an even larger apartment proposal near the Bethlehem line behind Whaneta St but the current administration stopped it by refusing to allow an extended water line and pump over the hill.
I wouldn't worry to much. Those 200 apartments are not subsidized in any way and will likely be very attractive for several years to come.
728 Great info, thanks. I just hear the smart growth advocates complaining about this type of development going on a stones throw from the City and how it takes away from the "core communities" however it is hard not to argue the same thing is not going on within the city limits, hence my question.
ReplyDeleteHey, shouldn’t an area the size of the Lehigh Valley have a local VA Hospital. I know we have a great clinic and a new “rebound” facility, however the Allentown Hospital would be a perfect environment to rehab our returning Service men and women and provide services to our VETS. There are plenty of local doctors to support such a facility.
In Butler PA the hospital has a secure wing for guest that need constant supervision. Maybe it could stay open as a shared services facility.
Anon 1246. I heard the new Target at the Commons has not been open for one year and have petitioned for a reassessment.
ReplyDeleteLamont McClure stated that there's an opportunity "out of the ashes of that rubble," and suggested that both Lehigh and Northampton County start a work release and treatment facility there. "It seems to be almost tailor made for us to partner with Lehigh County."
ReplyDeleteI don't think the residents living in that area would appreciate that sort of facility being put in our midst. Therefore, we assert and proclaim that whatever major decision that is to be made for reuse of this property should be in the best interest of those who live nearby the site. Indeed, the last thing we want is for the Politicians and Special Interests who do not live in the area to make things worse for the neighbors that live in this area in order to advance their particular agenda for their benefit
We actually support keeping the State Hospital Open .. But Secretary of Public Welfare Harriet Dichter has a reputation of closing State Hospital facilities going way back to Pittsburg. Consequently, we turn our focus to its reuse. Not that we want to, but from the sense of reality.
Therefore, we request that the residents of East Allentown Rittersville Neighborhood as well as the Association be kept abreast of all activities related to the redevelopment of this site and be invited to all hearing, meetings and discussions.
We note - that Some ideas expressed in this blog and area newspapers promoting a Medical School, VA Hospital, a Middle School, and Open space sound promising.
And we might, but this is no guarantee have an open mind for the construction of single houses on 1 acre lots.
Of course, the Mayor of Allentown envisions opening up part of that site to manufacturing ... For the present we take a wait and see attitude on that.
But we also add the following reuse to the list ... One person suggested to me that we turn the Allentown State Hospital into Central Park II ... No, not another Senior Citizen Home like the existing Central Park I... Rather a real amusement park like the real Central park of former years.
What we won't accept is a federal or state prision of any kind ... Or East Allentown opening this land to all sorts of Social Service activities.
Anon 10:53,
ReplyDeleteDespite what McClure said, the last thing you need worry about is a prison at that site. LC has no need for one there, as Stoffa noted. McClure 1s 1/9th of 1/3rd of an adjoining government. I believe he was more or less just thinking out loud.
Homes on one acre lots sound nice but an acre is A LOT of land in the city and would carry a huge tax liability.
ReplyDeleteI'd be ok with 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots, that's still pretty big. Even some townhomes mixed in could be nice. We will see what is ultimately proposed.
9:44
Sprawl like development does happen in the cities but at least there it contributes to the tax base and is close to transit.
I wonder how the new Airport Commons in Hanover Township will ultimately effect businesses on Union Blvd and Hanover Ave. This shopping center was a perfect example demonstrating the impotence of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commision.
Re: But Secretary of Public Welfare Harriet Dichter has a reputation of closing State Hospital facilities going way back to Pittsburg.
ReplyDelete--Hi, Ms. Dichter just became sec in december, so she couldn't have closed Mayview. thanks!