Local Government TV

Tuesday, May 08, 2018

Bethlehem Tp Schedules May 16 Special Meeting For Housenick Park

Mike Hudak makes a point
Thanks to a 2005 bequest by Janet Housenick, Bethlehem Township became the owners of a sprawling 55-acre estate known today as Housenick Park. It includes the mansion built by Bethlehem's first Mayor, Archibald Johnston. Housenick also set aside $2 million to maintain the site, once described by former Executive John Stoffa as the Lehigh Valley's future Central Park. Commissioners adopted a Master Plan to develop the property in 2011, which converted the grounds into magnificent walking trails along with a parking lot for visitors. But the mansion itself is another story. Township officials are still mulling how it should be used. This problem came up at their May 7 meeting, and is going to necessitate a special meeting on May 16.

On the Friday before this meeting, Commissioners received a gentle nudge from Housenick Trustees Bill Leeson, Stephen Baratta and Tom Brady. Trustees offered to give the Township $1.3 million in $130,000 annual payments over the next four years to restore the exterior of the mansion. The catch is that the Township must be able to open the mansion's first floor to the public within four years. Also, their offer was withdrawn unless the Township agreed that night.

"We can't ask the taxpayers to fund this project when we have no idea what it's going to cost," said Michael Hudak. He noted previous cost estimates indicating it would take $3.5 million to restore the first floor alone. "The beat us up on the streetlights to thus day and we had that project vetted, he said, referring to an $800,000 streetlight contract that ultimately resulted in embezzlement charges and convictions against the vendors.

Commissioners never agreed to the proposal, so the offer is withdrawn. But Leeson said on behalf of the Trustees that he was willing to sit down with Township Solicitor Jim Broughal to hammer out a new agreement giving the Township additional time.

Though development of the grounds into walking trails has been relatively noncontroversial, the Board has to date been unable to decide what to do with the mansion, and is leery of getting involved in a restoration that ultimately could gobble up tax dollars. Malissa Davis called the offer a "hard pill to swallow when we don't know what to do inside."

Leeson asked Commissioners to look at things from his vantage point. "We don't want to commit that money only to see the building torn down," he reasoned. He added that Trustees would agree to pay half the cost of a professional consultant to advise Commissioners on the most desirable use of the mansion's interior.

Member of the public were as divided as the commissioners. Don Wright warned it will be a "money pit" while Barry Roth argued that the money needed could be donated. "The economy is on an upswing and people are looking for a place to dump money," he argued.

Commissioners said that a nonprofit corporation is being formed to accept tax deductible donations, and Tom Nolan reiterated that no township tax dollars would be spent.

At a special meeting on May 16, Solicitor Jim Broughal will report whether he has been able to negotiate a new agreement with the Trustees, giving them five years and half the cost of a consultant to advise on the best use of the mansion. At that time, Commissioners will also vote on a bid package for the exterior restoration of the mansion, with or without the Trustees' money.

23 comments:

  1. The future Central Park of the Lehigh Valley??

    Seriously, spare us. Stoffa also praised the Chrin deal as a great way to fund open space. The guy was not known for his prediction skills.

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    1. Please visit the park. It is an oasis of calm in the middle of the valley. Housenick’s grandfather knew what he was doing when he bought the original square mile. Now, about a sixth is left and open to the public. History, wildlife, birds, genteel decay, agriculture - and a parking lot. Give it two hours on a sunny summer morning.

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  2. The Twp can't afford another money pit (Community Center is #1) so transfer ownership to the county already!

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  3. The twp has been dragging their feet on this since they were given the property. In reality, I think they have no desire to do anything but let the house deteriorate until it cannot be saved.

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  4. This would probably be best maintained by a private group, not administered by a government entity. The $130,000 a year would be eaten up by contracts with friends and would have to adhere to prevailing wage rules. Is there not a historical group who could be put in charge of maintenance. Such a group would be able to maintain it in a way to preserve its historical significance.

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  5. Township government should not be involved in the fitness business or historical building restoration business...

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  6. "Seriously, spare us. Stoffa also praised the Chrin deal as a great way to fund open space. The guy was not known for his prediction skills."<

    Wat I remember is that Cuncil was ready to vote unanimously for this TIF, and that Angle suggested this as a way to get some money out of Chrin for farmland. The County has thus far received $250k it would not have otherwise seen. If McClure pushes Chrin, he will get the $2 million. It is no surprise that Chrin is trying to wiggle out of his commitment, but you don't gain anything by bashing the people who had the foresight to get this commitment.

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  7. Give me a tif and I promise to give you $50 million. Have foresight.

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  8. This park is an extraordinary resource and will be appreciated as such in generations to come.

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  9. Lawrence J BriodyMay 8, 2018 at 2:46 PM

    Hudak and his cronies have been against restoration of the Johnston mansion since Housenick Park was created.Hudak wanted a strip mall and a housing developement right next to the park.Hudak is an environmental monster and has the artistic sensibility of a slab of concrete.

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  10. This property is a beautiful natural resource that is worth preserving for the future. I remember walking along the railroad tracks when I was a teenager.

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  11. I visit Housenick trails almost daily but can understand the reluctance of the township to get involved in what will be a money pit. But with the stock market roaring for quite a while the money should have increased substantially. Maybe there is a better way to spend the money without a Taj Mahal overhaul. Is it a good project for Vo tech students to start chipping away at a multi year project? Spend money on the roof and the kids could start working on the other stuff. What a wonderful building for kids to learn restoration, not the cookie cutter stuff builders are putting up in this area. No elevator please! Need a common sense a restoration as possible. And due it right. Some of the dreams I have heard for potential uses are absurd. is there no money to at least remove that tree that is growing out of a chimney?

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  12. I am curious what potential uses 4:58 has heard. From what I recall, there can be no achohol in the facility, so weddings or other events etc are probably out. Maybe the statutes related to alcohol in a park have or can be changed. Otherwise I think a no-township non-profit group should run the place.

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  13. •After years of dull witted inactivity the trustees offer a half baked plan, to be generous.
    •The wedding idea is a crock of nonsence business model, with or without alcohol.
    •The highschool VoTec students are no more cabable of the restoration of that historic structure than the Salvation Army.
    •Hudak has done everything in his power to stimy any effort to save the structure. Anyone paying attention gets this.
    Look for more of the same.
    •Only a non-profit with deep pockets could utilize this property.
    The Community Collage is a possibility under the correct circumstances.
    •This park and open space may well be looked upon by future generations as The Central Park of the Lehigh Valley, if it can survive the dullards currently charged with its management.

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  14. If you want a quality restoration at at fair price bring in the Amish and Mennonite carpenters and stone masons. they know how to get it done.

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  15. The Housenic Trustees pretended to offer a plan and the Twp. pretended to consider it.
    Provincial political theatre at its finest.
    Perfect together.

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  16. Stoff - Lehigh Valley's Central Park. What a joke. There is no a park in the valley that approaches any in Allentown's park system but nice try.

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  17. The Twp can't afford another money pit

    Actually, they could. Our taxes are pretty damned low.

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  18. Maybe the statutes related to alcohol in a park have or can be changed.

    Yes, like the "no dogs" policy. What a joke that our representatives make rules like this about public PARKS. They're out, I'm out.

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  19. In 100 years this park is every bit as significant as Allentown’s parks, and located in a significant populant center.
    This park is the future.

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  20. Its a quarter the size of Trexler Park. Get real.

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