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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, February 06, 2017

DaVinci Wants Another $50,000 For Aquarium Study

Bob Werner, who represents the Easton district on Council, also wants Northampton County to give $50,000 to the DaVinci Science Center for a feasibility study on a $130 million aquarium in downtown Easton. This would be in addition to $50,000 in hotel taxes that were already provided.

"When Jeffrey Parks came here, and wanted money for [Artsquest],he had all this stuff done already," noted Ken Kraft, who represents the Bethlehem district on Council. "I think it's really premature to throw money at a pipe dream. ... You keep coming back to the trough and I say No." Council President John Cusick shared Ken Kraft's concerns. "The taxpayers need to hold onto their wallets," he said.

The feasibility study alone will cost $1.2 million. There was no indication that anyone else has contributed to this study, although DaVinci has hired a magnificent fundraiser.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The DaVinci aquarium is a pipe dream. It will bleed money dry if ever built. There is a far superior aquarium 60 miles away. We don't need a sad replica in the LV. Especially not in a flood zone.

Anonymous said...

Would like to see the project go forward but that is a crap load of money to ask the county for at this very early stage.

Anonymous said...

Pal Santo's fish tank! I wonder if they'll offer diving lessons?

Unknown said...

I am not against this project but I do think the DaVinci project people in charge should of looked for a better place to build that is pretty much shovel ready. Like a big empty LOT... This way you don't have to knock down building's & all that stuff & the sight is pretty much ready to go for building. & it saves money because all the money what would be spent on DEMO could be saved.

Anonymous said...

Easton is really fishing on this one. Do you remember just a few years ago when they wanted us to go "play Ball" at the new Ballpark in Easton. How about "put your boat in the water" for the Shad Festival that was once a shining light in Easton and is now on the balls of their ass because of no support in Easton. There are other attempts to help Easton like the County buying City Hall, The County expanding the Courthouse in Easton, The County Employees paying a ridiculous tax to Easton, The County purchasing the Governor Wolfe Building. Well you get the idea. Just say "NO". We the taxpayers have done enough for the Beggars in Easton. Panto must go.

Anonymous said...

How is this project going to help us cash strapped slate-belt populace? It won't! If Sal Panto wants this, let him and Easton pay for it. Northampton County doesn't revolve around Easton!

Anonymous said...

Uncle Sal the Fishies' Pal wants this white elephant to be built in a flood zone with a nightmare traffic plan. Makes no sense, but let's spend more tax dollars to study the idiotic concept. Like the now defunct but half-built baseball stadium in Williams Township, this project is a blind, three legged dog looking for a home.

Anonymous said...

Gotta side with Kraft here. Easton not entitled to any county money at this point. Sal deserves no help for his past sins..which are many. Wait and see what happens. Plenty of time evaluate the situation.