This is a nationwide trend, according to Archinect: "These smaller cities have been attracting new growth in part due to investing in green spaces and parks, upswings in local tech hubs, and downtown redevelopment."
Brookings says this:
"Allentown, on the periphery of the New York metropolitan region, was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the Northeast during parts of the early 2000s, as migrants dispersed to areas just beyond the New York region. After seeing its growth plummet from 2007 to 2013, it has inched back with a noticeable growth increase in the past year."This estimated population surge could be the result of 1,800 jobs in downtown Allentown since 2013.
I hope this is true, and is borne out by the actual 2020 census. Allentown could use a little good news.
15 comments:
Come on now. If you walk on Hamilton after dark it is like a waste land. There are bums, panhandlers and vultures. Its side streets are infested with hood rats and all sorts of dangerous life forms.
You cannot shine that turd!
That was not my experience. The census estimate tells me that what I saw is no fluke.
I doubt these middle class whit millennials will stay. A few muggings and they will be long gone.
I wonder if the naysayers that constantly portray downtown Allentown as a wasteland after dark actually ever get off their sofas. True, I recall the streets deserted after 5 p.m. but that was a decade ago. I live downtown and I see the reality of a busy center city both in the evenings and weekends, even Sunday afternoons. I think some people are afraid to acknowledge downtown's revitalization due to political or social bias.
As an objective observer that spends a lot of time downtown, I'm skeptical but hopeful. I still think that local suburbs will start to attract traditional neighborhood developments that will be more attractive to millenials. I still believe that the impacts of the urban underclass (litter, noise, crime, high taxes, high car insurance, poor schools etc.) in Allentown will be a detriment to attracting millenials. Suburban TNDs will be a growing trend with a very real opportunity to attract millenials.
The biggest attempt at bringing young professionals to live in Allentown was the 1970's with the historical district. I sold many antiques fixtures to people attempting to revitalize Allentown. They were excited young couples who had visions of a revitalized Allentown. I was around long enough to watch them become frustrated with the city seeing them as a cash cows to be milked with permits, rules and regulations etc. Then besieged with vandals and others who resented their middle class wealth. It was sad to hear them eventually decide to move to the suburbs. I also remember talking to Charlie Dent in 1990's who had his office downtown, and asking why they could not encourage block groups or citizen groups to police their blocks from drug dealers etc. He remarked that that was extreme and no politician could encourage that approach. It is now another 25 years later and Allentown still has the same problems. I also heard many Spanish residents complain about seeing drug transactions out side their homes, they were afraid for their children, that they would be hit by shooting between rival gangs. Complaints to police were often ignored. These cities could again be resurrected, but it will take a organized community effort. Citizen and police cooperative efforts to clean up and drive out the bad elements. Block groups to clean up their blocks one by one, to take pride in their community. Is this going to happen, unlikely, not enough money to be made in building things to attract people from the outside. eventually the responsible will again leave in frustration.
We have become a weak cowardly society, that is afraid to stand up for what is right. Allentown and other cities need to be rebuilt from the inside out, by the people who live there. Leaders who will encourage and support the good citizens to take pride in their community. Mostly what we get is leaders who what to get grants and spend money.
Downtown Allentown, after dark, is a baron wasteland if no event is scheduled at the arena. The high end eating and drinking facilities attract only the people who can afford it; not the average citizen who lives downtown and throughout the city. As a native citizen born, raised and still living here, I tend to travel outside the city for food, entertainment and libations. I have attended and visited numerous drinking and eating venues downtown and found them to be expensive, inhabited by very young people who think a $7.00 bottle of beer is cheap and food that is very over priced.
Places like the Brass Rail are still reasonable in drink and food prices; however, there are few places like this around. Places like Stahley's and Mahoney's are packed, because they don't specifically target the younger crowd and they appeal to the families and average person.
"Downtown Allentown, after dark, is a baron wasteland if no event is scheduled at the arena. The high end eating and drinking facilities attract only the people who can afford it; not the average citizen who lives downtown and throughout the city. As a native citizen born,"
All I can say is that my own experience was different. I'll add that no hockey game or event was going on that night. It was no Manhattan, but ws far busier than i had been led to believe. This is consistent with he census estimates indicating an uptick of millennials in Allentown.
" I still think that local suburbs will start to attract traditional neighborhood developments that will be more attractive to millenials."
That is a national trend and is noted in Brookings, but the attraction of small cities to millennials is noted as well.
Just happened to be traveling through Allentown last Wed to see a concert. Both of us are middle aged women, and had quite a bit of time to look at the surroundings as we sat in traffic. I would not want to live or travel in A'town. It looked dirty (except by PPL) and quite a few people were hanging out in "business" doorways. Business's themselves were dilapidated. Lots of homeless, or what appeared to be homeless people. I was surprised and
I only commented here, because we literally just traveled in the city. Sorry, but things didn't look very good down there to us.
I used to walk down Hamilton singing Barbara Ann. But not any more.
No one wants to hear you inflict your public singing on anyone
And you inflict your opinions. It’s called freedom of speech. A labor guy like you should support it.
Allentown is an Edwards paradise.
So glad your all enjoying Fed Ed's dream And all the success he brought to A town. Thanks to Ed and God bless him and Allentown
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