The word I am getting is that both Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham have reservations about Allentown's 130-acre Neighborhood Improvement Zone.
Callahan, I'm told, raised a number of issues at a recent Executive Committee meeting of LVEDC about the lack of a "level playing field" for the rest of the LV and the major disruption that the NIZ could cause in the office "ecosystem."
Both are reportedly frustrated at the inability to get straight answers about the NIZ and feel this is a real impediment to marketing the Lehigh Valley.
So much for the NIZ promoting regionalism.
Prospective office tenants have reportedly been offered leases in the NIZ for as little as $5 a foot, triple-net. And still balked!
But this will eventually take a toll on other Lehigh Valley communities, as offices relocate for tax-subsidized rentals in Allentown. They'll take their EIT with them, too.
In the next few days, I'll attempt to get public confirmation of these private concerns.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Wednesday, April 04, 2012
25 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Give them a NIZ of their own.
ReplyDelete"Word I am getting"
ReplyDelete"I'm told"
"Reportedly" x2
This is why this is a blog.. it is all creations of a one side discussions. This blog entry contains zero facts.. only assumptions.. guess what you get when your assume?
Here's a fact for you FDAA - the Borough Council of Hellertown just voted on Monday to join the lawsuit against the NIZ. As more communities fight this inequity, who's going to look like the ass?
ReplyDeleteFDAA,
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't Allentown provide the numbers everyone is looking for? Then no one will have to assume anything? Allentown is the one that is trying to play everyone for fools.
Assuming nothing and sticking to the facts, two township and a borough have joined the suit. More are expected. Neither Bethlehem's mayor nor Lehigh County's executive have publicly stated their positions, claiming a need for more details, which have been either lied about or are not forthcoming.
ReplyDeleteFacts.
Selfish is as selfish does.
ReplyDeleteBernie
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could try to find out the pollution dust to nearby buildings from the arena project.
Bernie
ReplyDeleteYea Why is the city hiding those numbers?
Where are the numbers? The numbers?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the way the numbers are computed. The city didn't collect the tax for the past few years so there are third parties involved with the slight complcation of two seperate counties.
ReplyDeleteI understand the businesses have to provide critical parts of the data.
This to say the least messy.
"two township and a borough have joined the suit"
ReplyDeleteThree townships - Bethlehem Tp, Hanover Tp and Lower Saucon Tp have voted to join. Hellertown is the first Borough. Two school districts are close to joining. This sis just what I know. I am sure there are more. It is starting to snowball.
Regionalism is all well and good for Allentown's smaller neighbors until its time to put your money where your mouth is. Regionalism to these rubes? Sucking the life out of Allentown not putting anything back in.
ReplyDelete"This is why this is a blog.. it is all creations of a one side discussions"
ReplyDeleteNot all, but this is largely true. A blog differs from traditional media that way, relying instead on ts interactive nature to establish sometimes elusive facts.
Those numbers will not be furnished until the bonds are floated. I know how Pawlowski operates.
ReplyDeleteAsk the major developers and property owners what this will do for regionalism. The low lease rates in the NIZ will steal tenants from suburban executive parks, increase vacancy rates, increase assessment appeals and decrease taxes.
ReplyDeleteInterview a few of the developers and property owners and get their take.
The numbers are computed. What you're seeing is a planned "stall" operation by the City, buying time and trying to keep the banks satisfied that this project just didn't take on a whole lot of risk that makes a bank nervous.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is, what if the NIZ somehow has to be modified because of court action? Does it still work? Can Allentown cover that substantial cost without other municipal EIT?
Thing is, if the numbers were made public, the lawsuit gets a lot more municipalities and it goes from a small lawsuit to a really uniquely large lawsuit.
Great, Kill development, Kill making the Lehigh Valley a destination, this is why it is called Pennsyltucky, you people can't see the forest for the trees, and it is a shame.
ReplyDeleteRetired ASD teacher here.
ReplyDeleteThe development does NOT have to be killed. Browne and others have already stated the funds from EIT probably are not even needed. Demonstrate that, and reduce it to writing. that's all.
By the way, an 8500 seat arena in Allentown is no more likely to make the Lehigh Valley a significantly better destination than it already is. Reference other vacation hot spots like Reading and Trenton.
Build the arena without the others. It's still worth it, right?
Develop as many $ 160.0 million dollar Palaces of Sport as you like ...
ReplyDelete... but not with MY TAX MONEY!
BIG GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE RISKY BUSINESS OF FINANCING STADIUMS
I want free hockey tickets.
ReplyDeleteENTITLED DEMOCRAT VOTER
Hockey presents great opportunities for blacks and minorities. Soon, coloreds will be practicing hockey at some swanky little park in a residential area in Beth. Twp. And if you think hockey is big for blacks, don't get me started about it's influence on Hispanics. Hockey es en fuego!
ReplyDeleteI still want free hockey tickets.
ReplyDeleteHelp me, Future Downtown Arena Attendee!
ENTITLED DEMOCRAT VOTER
Call me crazy but I don't want my tax dollars going to a hockey arena! I'd rather that money go towards purchasing m16s so our military can kill more afghanis!!
ReplyDeleteI want my heated luxury boxseats. with the catered sushi and champagne.
ReplyDeleteALREADY RICH AND DONT CARE ABOUT YOU REPUBLICAN VOTER
Of course you don't, Senator Browne.
ReplyDeleteTell me something I don't already know, Chief.
Now gimme some hockey tickets ... pretty please?
ENTITLED DEMOCRAT VOTER