Northampton County Council last night approved a deal that will allow the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority to float $28 million in bonds for the development of the long-awaited "21st Century Town Square," a venue on the Bethlehem Steel brownfield that will host as many as sixty free, family-oriented, concerts every year. In return, Bethlehem, Northampton County and Bethlehem Area School District will get 35 percent of the increased tax revenue generated by new development.Under the current, 20-year TIF, which was first negotiated in 2000, these taxing bodies only got 15% of the increased tax revenue.
Under a deal brokered by Northampton County Council Prez Ron Angle in August, the Redevelopment Authority agreed to relinquish 30% if taxing bodies agreed not to sue. Bethlehem Area School District, which came late into these negotiations, held out for another 5% and more money up front.
Under this deal, which is still in draft form, Northampton County ($519,000), Bethlehem ($677,000) and the school district ($2 million) will all get a healthy injection of cash.
Lamont McClure and Ann McHale incredibly voted No to this windfall. McClure felt they should wait until the agreement is in final form, even though the Authority intends to float the bonds before the next council meeting. McHale balked at language in the agreement providing for litigation in the event the Authority issues binds without an Agreement in place.
This draft also gives Angle the right to sign off on last minute changes, and McClure objected to that as well.
It has been said the City really put this deal together but let angle think it was his idea to stroke his ego.
ReplyDeleteThat makes the most sense.
I see. Then I guess the City contacted Angle and said let's make a deal? We both know that did not happen. Angle was making waves about this last year and Council approved a resolution authorizing litigation. That's why the City agreed to meet.
ReplyDeleteYou can cast all the aspersions you want, but the simple truth is that BASD will be getting $2 MM mostly bc of Angle's efforts.
Callahan should be credited for being reasonable about this. he probably did not want to hear claims that he's denyingfunds to schoolchildren when he's trying to get elected to Congress.
Loretta Leeson was late to the party, even though she was repeatedly asked to get involved. And nobody will rest easy until her signature is on that agreement.
callahan and angle reached out to each other through intermediaries. when both realized the other would be reasonable, they sat down and hammered out the compromise. kudos. leeson tried to obstruct that compromise at every turn.
ReplyDeleteWhy all the borrowing and floating of bonds by local government. Are these governments not over their heads in debt. This is maddness. All for a non profits art venue. Where is the cold hard Casino cash to fund this stuff??? My gawd..
ReplyDeleteFree, family oriented concerts. Yeah, that will raise a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is a family-oriented concert anyway? What this area needs are concerts by artists people are willing to PAY to see. Seems like this is just a handover to Musikfest as I assume thats where these free (yawn) concerts will be happening.
Seems like this is just a handover to Musikfest as I assume thats where these free (yawn) concerts will be happening.:
ReplyDeleteYes from what we've heard it is Musikfest. What else would it be feet from ArtsQuest offices.
It is Artsquest, i.e Musikfest.
ReplyDeleteWait, Bethlehem Mayor wants it? This adds Millions into the financially broke Bethlehem school district? McHale doesn't want it?
ReplyDeleteThink about the children!!!!!
Didn't angle call lesson a moron for not accepting the last deal with last up front money. It seems that the city ran the deal, lesson held out for better terms for the schools and as always Angle is taking the credit through his mouth piece.
ReplyDeleteThis was never Angle's deal. he was allowed to take credit for it as he loves to do with everything.
ReplyDeleteEnd of Story.
Great..use this money to save Gracedale!!
ReplyDelete