From the floor, Bethlehem sage Bill Scheirer (he has white hair) called it a situation in which "profit comes into conflict with planning. Profit has generally won over planning, but maybe not this time."
Grace Crampsie Smith. No. - Over the past 5-6 years, 85% of Bethlehem development has been in the form of rental apartments. "I ask is this really a balance?" She noted the average median salary of a Bethlehemite is $54,000, and the rentals from new development are unaffordable. She would prefer the jobs at a high tech building built with taxpayer funds.
Wandalyn Enix. No. - When it comes to jobs and work, we need to think 10 years down the line. "We need to think globally. We have all the assets and resources to be designated as a technology hub. We have the colleges, universities, technical schools and community colleges to develop our workforce, our businesses, our business community and our geographic proximity to major metropolitan areas is spectacular." She noted that the former tech center still has significant possibilities.
Mayor Willie Reynolds. (No Vote) - believes that adding housing supply, even high-end, is a good thing. "We don't want to see [the former tech center] sit there vacant." His first priority is increasing housing supply. His second would be to see how the tech center can be reutilized.
Paige Van Wirt. No. - believes any kind of housing will reduce cost. Her thinking gas changed because she thinks now that Bethlehem can become a tech hub. She said retaining the tech hub would signal to the tech industry that "we're open for business. I think it deserves that chance."
Kiera Wilhelm. No. - She initially favored the rezoning, but changed her mind now that she's learned more about the semiconductor industry. "We're looking at the possibility of something extremely valuable happening in that space."
Rachel Leon. No. - She initially thought of this project from the perspective of a south side resident.
Michael Colon. No. - Realizes there is a housing deficit, but feels this property is more appropriately zoned the way it is. Other adjacent properties in that neighborhood have been developed for industrial use.
Hillary Kwiatek. No. Rejects the use of disparaging terms for renters. Agrees that we should give the semiconductor indusrty a chance.
18 comments:
The woke libtards making decisions for the city are really becoming a problem.
Amazing - 7 heads popped out at the same time. It's a miricle!!!!!
"The woke libtards making decisions for the city are really becoming a problem."
What is "woke" about refusing to change zoning to allow for unaffordable housing at a site that could benefit from the CHIPS Act and enable an American company to produce semiconductors and reduce our reliance on foreign powers? Your comment is ridiculous.
Kwiatek "Rejects the use of disparaging terms for renters".
What's the reference to?
Sounds like she flipped a coin.
Heads: "side with erasing a word that may offend"
Tails: "side with the possibility of making the most important core component of nearly everything that runs the world."
Sounds like TeamTara talk.
I'm not really sure what set her and Reynolds off. From the floor, I believe several residents suggested that this unaffordable housing project would attract well-heeled people from major metros, and that their residency would be transient. That is pretty much an accurate prediction. I heard no disparaging terms used, but Kwiatek spoke in defense of wealthy elitists, noting she herself is from D.C.
Ok, their going to keep the developers from building. Good—NOW ,it’s time to find the right person who is connected to tech people, and get on road . Tech Layoffs in West coast are beating up the economy over there as I type this. . It would be cheaper to hire or move folks into Bethlehem than maintain costs in San Francisco County . Like Musk moving out of California. Who would have thought he had his suitcases loaded so fast . Time to get on the phone ,creation of exposure to this location.
So now the property will sit vacant, while government-funded agencies will spend their time trying to pick a winner.
After some time the winner will be named, and we will be told how much of our money we need to fork over to bring the declared winner to this “unique” and “rare” building.
Then when that company grows, they will leave for a better deal from another government in another state.
No scorecard will be ever be presented to the taxpayers to show how their “investment” paid off.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
The government already made the mistake of picking a winner when the city admin supported the rezoning of the property to allow high-end apartments to displace the jobs for which the property was zoned.
Tech layoffs are causing trickle down issues in 3 Western states of U.S. Somebody needs to get moving and bring that technology here. Cheaper and safer. Believe me I’m old school or( no school) and I see opportunities for the LV - hello Becky Bradley! Remember me?
Kwiatek sounds like a nut. Give the place a year , if it isn't bought in a year then change the zoning and build some rental units there to help off set the housing crises.
No, they stopped a private party from being able to purchase the property and use it for a purpose that the market can support, and instead will hold it vacant for what a few government officials believe is a “better” use.
The use they long for isn’t being borne out by interest from the market, or those same government officials would have already bought a buyer to the table.
The “jobs for which the property was zoned” that you mention already left for another state.
So we remain tied to a decision that was made on that property 30 years ago and didn’t work out.
Why don’t we go back to the minutes in the early 90’s and see which one of the geniuses who supported the plan (and money spent) then also told us the property would be vacant in less than 30 years.
My guess is none of them saw it coming. They were wrong then, and now they’re doubling down on a bad decision.
Bernie you are spot on. Reynolds has a opinion on everything and when the Councilwoman asked him where he stood on the issue he said, "its up to Council" Now thats leadership!LOL
Sounds as though apparently more than just Colon sway with whichever way the wind is blowing. So sad for Bethlehem.
3:15 Colon is in dance step with Reynolds. Colon is supposed to be the leader of Council. But he is is Wee Willies back pocket.
I'd like to live on the Main Line too. Where's my affordable housing?
1:17 I agree! I'd love to live in Manhattan but I can't afford it so I live in Bethlehem. Everyone wants to live in Bethlehem and thats why its getting more expensive. If you can't afford it then move to Allentown, Northampton or Catausauqua where you will have more spending money left after paying your rent or mortgage.
Colon is obviously very easy to persuade and manipulate. He is a boy playing in a man's game.
1:17 & 6:50 don’t understand that this is all about equity in Bethlehem whereby everyone gets to live wherever you would like & it is our mayor’s job is to supplement your income to make that work.
Or the other alternative is government owned housing & everyone lives where the Mayor tells you. Mayor even an appointed a DEI staff member to help him make that work right here in Bethlehem Pa—Home to the nations best Homeless shelter coming soon!! Meanwhile our roads are the worst the. have ever been so that people can’t drive cars around to help the climate here in our town.
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