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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Abe Atiyeh's DetoxPlatz Getting Closer

I told you last week that Abe Atiyeh's proposed four-story, 125-bed Detox Center, located at the southeast corner of Dewberry and Center Streets in Bethlehem, is on the agenda for Bethlehem's Planning Commission this Thursday. Atiyeh had tried marketing the property as an assisted living facility, but there was little interest. He then proposed a four three-story apartment buildings at the site, and that was nixed by zoners. But a detox center is a permitted use.

Now comes word that Abe has a contract to purchase the former Calvary Baptist Church on the north side of Dewberry, right across the street from his other property. Apparently, he's going to apply to the ZHB for a special exception to convert it into a residential drug and alcohol rehab center.

When I read the words "Abe Atiyeh," "Detox Center," and "Bethlehem," I somehow think a firestorm is in the making. All we need now is for Jeff Parks to come in and ask for some money so he can turn it into DetoxPlatz.
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23 comments:

  1. LighthouseAugust 17, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    "DetoxPlatz" brought a laugh.

    More seriously, however, I am reminded of the old expression of "be careful what you ask for", or in this case "what you oppose." It makes my skin crawl to be semi- defending Atiyeh, but what would the residents in the neighborhood have preferred (and its location is still in a residential/religious institution-oriented part of town), a senior home, apartments, or Abe's new push of drug/alcohol rehab "treatment centers"? While I found some dark humor in a senior assisted living complex overlooking a cemetary, I suspect in hindsight many neighbors would prefer that, or apartments, over this.

    I understand the traffic concerns of the previous apartment complex, but from your post last week this treatment facility might be "by-right", correct? However, if his eyes get too big by also looking at the Baptist church site he might(?) be opening the door to needing variances, and that is a tool for the COB over Abe since it may no longer be "by-right", or alternatively to negotiate with him on something better. Just speculating.

    I don't personally know much about Abe's "senior assisted living centers" but I found it interesting in the past when he commented in a public moment of frustration that there isn't much difference (administratively) between running a prison and a senior/nursing home. How about a "detox center"? And is he proposing transitional work release at this facility? There are some pretty nice neighborhoods within walking distance.

    I can not imagine he likes to part with his money paying lawyers, but right or wrong one gets the preception over the years that Abe kind of likes the "fight".

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    So he wants two centers on either side of the street? What the Hell, is this a Wal-Mart of druggies?

    is this some deal he is doing with Stoffa?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    He is a total loser

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    ...."I don't personally know much about Abe's "senior assisted living centers" but I found it interesting in the past when he commented in a public moment of frustration that there isn't much difference (administratively) between running a prison and a senior/nursing home. "

    This is why he cant compete in the assisted living business

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    To Anon 3:45 AM:

    It is a deal with the devil, Johnny Casino, and his righthand man servant, Josephine Kelli, both hot-headed Irishmen. It is time to flush both of them down a sanitation device used primarily for the disposal of human excrement.

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarolAugust 17, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Morning Bernie, forgot to add, unique art work in your blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Can you imagine the hatred this man must have for the Lehigh Valley in general.

    Can you get us Parks salary?
    Shouldn't that be public as he's
    a nonprofit executive. Can you get us all the staff salary too?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bernie O'HareAugust 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I can get his salary and his top 5 people. Will post tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bernie O'HareAugust 17, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    According to the 990 filed by Artsquest for 1999, Jeff Parks' base compensation was $193.955. With benefits, it was $257,216.

    VP Walter C Keiper was paid $126,295 in salary and $17,595 in benefits.

    Total revenue was $10,316,773.

    http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/23-2280560/artsquest.aspx#

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    If you look at other nonprofit organizations of similar size, Parks is vastly overpaid. The ArtsQuest board habe some hard decisions to make.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    If you look at other nonprofit organizations of similar size, Parks is vastly overpaid. The ArtsQuest board habe some hard decisions to make.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Get rid of Parks and get a truly community minded person to run it for a third of his pay. He's a ego-maniac loser with a thirst for taxpayers money.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Let Parks work for $1.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ZornAugust 17, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    did you see dolan make a total fool o herself twice yesterday?

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Come one and all to Anglefescht the biggest event of the year in the Slate Belt. Stay tuned for further details. Don't miss it. sponsorships are available.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    What did Dolan do to make a fool of herself?

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    she showed up at council with her foot in her big mouth going off half cocked

    ReplyDelete
  18. Chris CaseyAugust 17, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    I love "Detox Platz". It should open immediately after the last act at Musikfest closes.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Thanks Bernie for that Parks salary.
    ArtsQuest needs a retired executive who will work for $1.00 a year at least for the next two years to get the festival on level ground.
    Dividing the festival, perhaps to satisfy merchants on both sides of the river, did not work. Folks said they felt isolated. Can only imagine that dark tunnel like walk past the Hotel B's side into the Industrial Quarter. Perfect for doing harm to an innocent. Bernie, maybe you could do a survey to ask if the opening night violence kept families away.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Lighthouse :

    You are right, they fought against a great use for the area, Just because it was Abe Atiyeh, no other reason, they were TOLD the uses that could go there BY RIGHT, and they said "Build something that is allowed"

    Well they got what they asked for, and now its Johny Casinos fault, these people are NUTS...

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    A few years back, there was a proposal by a "Church on the Move" or something to purchase and develop the property at the NW corner of Macada and Jacksonville Rd. in Hanover. Oblivious to the fact that there are places of worship at the southeast and northeast corners of that very intersection, supervisors rejected the request. Today, there are more than 100 homes crammed onto that site. The "concerns" about traffic (once a week for a few hours) were addressed. Now, with 10 lbs of crap in a five pound bag, the area has traffic headaches galore, all day, every day.

    Watch what you wish for.


    VOR

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    Bernie
    Please consider new topic on all the companies closing that have received taxpayer dollars.

    ReplyDelete
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    My website discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
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    ReplyDelete

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