The DaVinci Boondoggle

Over at Lehigh Valley News Briefs, Jeff Ward suggests that the Da Vinci Science Center, just might be a big, fat boondoggle. He notes it has fallen far short of its projections of 400,000 visitors, $33 million in economic development and 287 jobs in 2024. It attracted just 160,000 visitors, which is actually fewer than it attracted when it was at Cedar Crest College. It has pretty much been a flop despite raking in $21.6 million over the last year, most of it in the form of grants from public and private suckers. But it has been an amazing success to CEO Lin Erickson and four other hotshots at the facility. Their combined salaries and benefits alone amounted to $763,695 according to the '990 for the year ending June 30, 2024. The number of employees in 2024 was 128, not even half the 287 projected. So I'd say that it is certainly a boondoggle with no real public benefit. 

Northampton County, incidentally, wasted $300,000 on DaVinci when Erickson initially wanted to bring it to Easton. Erickson nearly conned Mayor Panto into spending $30 million Easton does not have for a gigantic 500,000 gallon salt-water aquarium, complete with laser beams attached to their heads. On top of the aquarium, a 100' tall Vitruvian man, minus penis, would stand.

A divided Northampton County Council actually voted to award a $10 million hotel tax grant (over 40 years) to support this facially ridiculous project. "It's insane," said Ken Kraft, who would become Council President in 2018. One of the first things he did was propose and pass a repeal of the grant.

Unfortunately, by the time the county reversed itself, DaVinci had already received $300,000 for a project that never got past the drawing board.

DaVinci Science Center Pitched to NorCo Council.

Blogger's Note: I was at a college basketball game last night and hence missed this pitch in person. My report is based on the NorCo Council video. 

DaVinci Science Center's Lin Erickson pitched her latest attempt at a "world  class" science center to a dubious Northampton County Council last night. What was originally a $130 million aquarium is now a $160 million nature dome and a 100' tall Vitruvian Man. But he'll be called a Vitruvian Person. Erickson said this latest plan is even better than an aquarium and on a par with The Franklin Institute and Carnegie Science Center. She also claimed it would draw up to 600,000 visitors a year.  She expects 2/3 of the money will come from the public. This is likely because the private sector is a little more careful in how it spends its money.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto, who also was a big cheerleader for the now defunct High School Hall of Fame, has already pledged $30 million of his city's money for this pipe dream. What's more, he has spent $5 million to buy an old hotel, where the DaVinci Science Center will stand. "We aim for the stars," he said. He should be little more concerned about being mooned when this falls on its face.

Erickson said that DaVinci has outgrown its current facility in Allentown. It plans to keep it for children aged 8 and under, and continue its mission of bringing "science to life and life to science" in Easton.

She's planning on a 130,000 sq ft facility, with 50,000 sq ft of exhibits The two major attractions are the Vitruvian Man Person and a "Nature Dome" in which animals live in eternal darkness.

Although this property is located within the flood plain, she said it will be built so that all interior areas will be above it. She called the outside area an urban wetland. Just like a swamp is actually a vernal pool.

You enter by going under and between the legs of the Vitruvian Man Person. Not sure I'd be so crazy about walking underneath the balls of a 100' tall man, but they won't be there. The poor bastard is a Vitruvian Eunech.

Council member Tara "Down With the Patriarchy" Zrinski questioned how a little girl would feel about seeing something that is supposed to be a celebration of the human body in male form.

"It kinda' sends a message," she remarked.

"I hear you totally," responded Erickson. "I'm a female myself." Zrinski said it should be male, female, and "everything in between."

I'm pretty sure that the Vitruvian Man Person is plastic, too, but that point eluded Zrinski.

Whatever it is, Erickson said there will be ramps so people can walk through different body parts and understand how they work. It's very scientific, you know.

The other main feature of this supposed Science Center is the nature dome. You'll be able to take a simulated walk along the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers watershed. You'll pass by a butterfly and insect garden and an indoor forest at night, with 45' tall trees and nocturnal animals that include bobcat, raccoons and oppossums. Don't know if there will be any vampires.

Council member Matt Dietz wondered who would be idiotic enough to pay $23.50 to see what he can see for free by simply going to Jacobsburg Park or walking along the real Delaware and Lehigh Rivers.

Zrinski wondered about the animals. What impact will this have on them? "To me, that sounds cruel," she said. She wondered why they'd be behind glass at all. Some guy named Joe Moore, who has already been paid quite a bit of money to shill this project, said the issue has been carefully studied and that all the animals would be rescues who could never survive in the wild.

Dietz questioned the visitor projections. How many of the 400,000-600,000 visitors per year are wealthy enough to come, he wondered. That information will be supplied to him.

So far, funding for this project has been a joke. $50.4 million in public funds have been "committed" by Easton and the state. Only $2.6 million in private money has been "committed."

"Your funding plan looks anemic," warned Council member Bob Werner. "Thank you for not asking us for any money."

That's coming, but Erickson was cautioned to lower her expectations by Werner, along with Council President Ron Heckman and Council member Kevin Lott.

This is simply a bad idea. I can't think of any sane person who would throw a dime at it. So I fully expect NorCo Council to give Erickson money.

NorCo Council Revokes $10 Million DaVinci Grant

By a 7-2 vote, NorCo Council voted last night to revoke a $10 million grant of hotel taxes to the DaVinci Science Center proposed in Easton. The ordinance passed by a lame duck Council in December would have shackled the County with annual payments of $250,000 over the next 40 years.

Earlier in the evening, when Human Services administrators complained about shortfalls in state funding for mental health, John Cusick complained that the state was more interested in subsidizing bug farms. And when the DaVinci Center came up for a vote, e added that the plan was completely changed six weeks after the grant was approved. He suggested that DaVinci Executive Director Lin Erickson had not been forthright, and reminded everyone that he failed to tell Council about a competing aquarium being considered in Monroe County.

Erickson herself was absent. Her continued presence at Council meetings and repetitive pitches were beginning to annoy some council members.

Instead of Erickson, Council heard from Easton Mayor Sal Panto and DaVinci trustee Jane Ervin. They both seemed to recognize that the grant was going to be pulled but asked council to keep an open mind when a new pitch for funding is made at a March 1 committee meeting.

"Be bold, think big," urged Ervin.

"Exercise caution, fiscal prudence," countered Cusick.

"I'm not going to hostage the county for 40 years," said Lori Vargo Heffner.But she added that neither she nor anyone on Council is anti-Easton and is willing to listen to the March 1 proposal. Ron Heckman said that if it were up to him, he'd move county offices downtown.

Even Bob Werner, who represents Easton on Council, said that a grant that goes on for 40 years is too much. But he still voted against revoking the ordinance. Peg Ferraro, who also voted No to revocation, was most concerned that this year's $250,000 go into DaVinci's coffers.

That depends on what Council approves.

NorCo's $10M DaVinci Grant in Trouble

Despite a plea from DaVinci Science Center Lin Erickson to wait for yet another presentation on March 1, Northampton County Council introduced an ordinance last night that, if enacted, will end a $10 million grant for a tourist attraction in downtown Easton. What had been proposed as a shark-infested 500,000 gallon salt-water aquarium has been replaced with a "Nature Dome" that permits you to see the exact same things you'd see if you walked along the river. There's also a bug garden and a 100' tall XXL Vitruvian Man modeled after Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

At one time, Panto had proposed a high school hall of fame for Easton. Now it's Nerd City USA.

Amazingly, Nerd Palace will still require the same $130 million that was proposed for the fish tank.

Executive Lamont McClure said he supports DaVinci, but needs realistic numbers.

In December, a lame-duck Council approved the $10 million grant from hotel taxes. It would commit the County to spending $250,000 a year over the next 40 years. Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Director Mark Hartney told Council that his department "has an overall positive view of the project." But he cautioned that, based on the numbers provided by DaVinci, it would be 99 years before the County began to see a return on its investment.

In 2017, DaVinci was awarded $50,000 in hotel taxes to develop a business plan, but no such plan is expected until the end of June.

Hartney has recommended an "independent analysis" by a third party who would be tasked with responsibility for verifying the assumptions and calculations in the still preliminary business plan. After a complaint by a local restaurant, DaVinci scrapped plans for one of its own on site. That will reduce its annual revenue by $1.25 million. "How is this revenue being replaced?, asks Hartney in a memo.

One dubious claim by DaVinci is that it will receive $4.2 million in support revenue annually. This supposedly will consist of $1 million in government support, $1.2 million in annual giving and $1.5 million in grants andc ontracts.

Hartney has also recommended that no money be provided until the shovels are in the ground.

DaVinci has previously said that 60% of its money would come in the form of government grants. But so far, only 38% of these commitments have been realized.

Peg Ferraro, Council's most vocal advocate for DaVinci, made a pitch for giving the project $250,000 this year, but that determination will come later.

Council will vote on ending the $10 million grant on February 15.

NorCo Council to Revisit $10 Million DaVinci Grant

In December, a lame duck Northampton County Council voted 5-4 to support a $10 million grant for the $130 million DaVinci Science Center in Easton. At the time of this vote, DaVinci's main attraction was a 500,000 gallon salt-water aquarium with sharks. But that's been scrapped because it might compete with a private aquarium being considered in Monroe County. So instead of sharks with laser beams attached to their heads, DaVinci Exec Director Lin Erickson has proposed something that she thinks is way more cool - a "Nature Dome" that permits you to see the exact same things you'd see if you walked along the river. And a bug garden. And a 100' tall and XXL Vitruvian Man that looks just like Easton Mayor Sal Panto. There's even a little restaurant inside his head. Panto, who once promoted a High School Hall of Fame, is convinced this is way cooler than the fish tank. But Northampton County Council is having second thoughts about the wisdom of this $10 million grant.

"This is insane," is how Ken Kraft summed up the DaVinci Center when it was a mere aquarium. Imagine how he feels now that it's a bug garden.

At last night's Finance Committee, Council member John Cusick said he wants to revisit this grant. "What we voted for is not what's currently before us," he reasoned.

This $10 million grant comes from hotel taxes. It will take Northampton County several years to pay this sum, and other worthy projects will go unfunded. Erickson said she wants even more money from the county for this disaster. She's already attempted a private meeting with newly elected Council members, and wanted them to attend Tuesday's dog-and-pony show about this new design.

Cusick and Matt Dietz will be sponsoring legislation that reduces or eliminates the grant for this pipe dream. Cusick, Dietz and Kraft voted against this grant. Peg Ferraro and Bob Werner supported it. During the County Council debate, only Bill McGee supported the aquarium.

DaVinci Center Called a "Killer" For Easton Restaurant Biz

Pearly Baker's Jonathan Davis

Like buzzards who circle a carcass while jackals and hyenas predators rip off the larger chunks of meat, DaVinci Science Center representatives watched and waited patiently last night at last night's final NorCo Council budget gearing. As Council members hacked into next year's $400 million budget, Executive Director Lin Erickson waited her turn. She has proposed a $130 million aquarium project in Easton's flood plain, and has her hand out for every public dollar she can get. She's been at more meetings over the past year than the Express Times. Though Council is scheduled to consider an ordinance tonight that helps to fund the aquarium with $1 million in hotel taxes ($100,000 per year over ten years), she wants  even more. $15 million, to be exact. Last night, for reasons that baffle me, Peg Ferraro pitched a $500,000 grant in 2005 hotel taxes to DaVinci. This is in addition to an amendment she'll be proposing to tonight's ordinance, giving DaVinci even more than the $1 million proposed.

Ferraro first said she would be offering an amendment two weeks ago. But in a remarkable display of secrecy, she has refused to say how much. She hoped to spring it on everyone at the last minute, keeping the public in the dark about their own money

"We have this money, we've been accumulating this money," was Ferraro's justification for giving DaVinci a "shot in the arm."

"I don't know what your rush is to give money," objected Ken Kraft, saying this is a decision that can be addressed by the incoming Council and Executive-elect Lamont McClure.

"It's time to move forward and do something," countered Ferraro, who called for a vote.

Fortunately, Council President John Cusick decided instead to recognize a member of the public who wanted to address the subject.

Jonathan Davis owns Easton's popular Pearly Baker's, Bank Street Annex and Mueller's General Store. He has been operating small businesses for the past 25 years after his graduation from Lafayette College. Claiming to be speaking on behalf of a large number of downtown Easton businesses, he said they are "very much opposed to the Science Center as it now stands."

Plans for DaVinci include a 250-seat restaurant as well as cafes. "The restaurant community cannot have that happen to its downtown," he argued. He noted that four Easton restaurants have closed this year, and only two have re-opened. "This quasi government kind of manipulation that has happened, with good intentions, has ransacked the business community." He said the food court at Crayola has negatively impacted lunch business. He added that the publicly subsidized Public Market is no public market. "It's a food court. That cut our business in half."

He called the DaVinci Science Center a "killer for the restaurant business." He said his 50 or so employees are suffering from lost tips already, and that DaVinci will be a "vacuum that sucks away any benefit it is supposed to have."

"This is our money, this is public funds, and it should be going for the benefit of downtown Easton."

"Destroy the restaurant community that established the downtown, and you will have larger issues than you ever expect," he warned.

He added that Erickson told him that the restaurant would be used as a profit source to offset future expenses.

"Maybe we could have an event center with a caterer and a liquor license," suggested Ferraro.

"Why? Why? What's the mission? The mission is science and education. Where is it coming that we're serving cocktails?"

Erickson admitted that current plans do call for a 250-seat restaurant, a liquor license and an operator.

Mat Benol thanked Davis for his visit, saying it prevented him from a "huge mistake." Matt Dietz said he had enough concerns before last night, but now considers the plan too indefinite to justify any public spending. Hayden Phillips added that he was concerned that a publicly subsidized aquarium would compete unfairly against a private venture like a proposed Ripley aquarium, located 60 miles away. But the competition against small businesses in Easton is much more immediate and serious. Public tax dollars would enable DaVinci to steal business from restaurants just blocks away.

Kraft moved to table Ferraro's grant, and it passed 7-2. Glenn Geissinger and Seth Vaughn voted No without explanation.

"We can visit it next year," said Kraft, who told Erickson that the incoming Council will work with DaVinci.

Later this evening, Council will consider the $1 million grant, which Ferraro wants to increase without bothering to say how much until the public hearing.

DaVinci Science Center Wants NorCo to Pay $15 Million For Easton Aquarium

Allentown's DaVinci Science Center would like to relocate to Easton. This is thanks in no small part to a $30 million pledge by Easton Mayor Sal Panto towards a $130 million aquarium. Last night, at the first of four town halls concerning this project at Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem, Executive Director Lin Erickson revealed that she'd like Northampton County to help pay for the Easton location with hotel taxes. She failed to say how much she wants, but former Lehigh County Executive Jane Ervin said the ask is $15 million.

About 30 people* attended this inaugural town hall. Three more are scheduled this and next week in Bath, Easton and Bangor.**

Easton Mayor Sal Panto, aka
tom18017, aka roverfan73

Last night's town hall was billed as one in which comments, questions and suggestions were being sought. Erickson said she was interested in what others think. But those would have to come during "break out" sessions following initial presentations by her, Easton Mayor Sal Panto and a San Francisco architectural firm that just arrived that day.

Many of the 30 people who attended last night are already involved in the project in some way, like Northampton County Councilperson Peg Ferraro and Discover Lehigh Valley's Mike Stershic. Bethlehem school superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy was there, along with several teachers. Representatives of the Wildlands, which has a contractual relationship with Northampton County and is apparently interested in partnering with DaVinci in some way, were on hand. So were numerous reporters. But not many actual Bethlehem residents. Aside from Ferraro, no one from Northampton County Council was there. Nor was anyone from Bethlehem City Council. Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez was also absent.

Though Erickson and Panto were slotted to speak for a combined 25 minutes, Mayor Panto by himself went on for 40 minutes.

"This is a community project," started Panto. "It is not my project. It is not Easton's project." He said that what attracts him is not the aquarium (there will apparently be both a freshwater tank and a saltwater tank with sharks and, for same reason, jellyfish). What draws him is the Science Center's commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

On four occasions, he called critics of the plans "naysayers." He said Easton gets $1.5 million per year from 400,000 visitors to Crayola. The aquarium will draw 600,000, he claimed, and the entertainment tax on admission fees will pay debt service on a $30 million loan.

"You think I don't know it's in a flood plain?" he scoffed at one criticism, noting that City Hall itself is in a flood plain.

He never got around to saying what he'd do in the event of a flood. Maybe he'd have his rubber stamps on City Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting floods. I don't know.

He also argued the Science Center would be great for schools because there could be field trips. He added that, one or two days a year, the Science Center will open its doors to the poor.

Calling Easton a "European design town," he then talked about his legacy. He said he doesn't think about it much, "but when I'm gone, I hope you feel better."

I know I will.

Then, for some reason, he briefly mentioned solar panels.

Erickson said she knows there are going to be parking issues, but "we like the urban environment." She hopes to partner with the Wildlands which she said will take people out in boats to teach them about the river. She also mentioned kayaking and bike trips between Bethlehem and Easton.

There's no need for an aquarium to do that.

In her presentation, she completely glossed over the fact that, this far, she has still failed to raise the $1.2 million needed to determine whether this project is even feasible. But DaVinci went ahead and hired an architect to design the site. That firm, as I told you on Monday, is San Francisco's EHDD.

EHDD's Duncan Ballash said he's excited and then he and an associate detailed several of their past projects. I heard no mention of Easton's deeply rooted colonial history. In fact, they know nothing about it or the Lehigh Valley. Their focus was a 4-D immersion theatre where you could feel water being sprayed into your face.

Without an unbiased feasibility report, this is nothing more than a pipe dream and a waste of Northampton County tax dollars.

A glorified fish tank.

In the past, Northampton County did fund the Steelstacks project. But that was only for $1 million, and over a period of several years. There was a feasibility study and lots of cash on hand already.

Northampton County receives about $2.5 million in hotel taxes every year. This is based on a 4% room rental fee at county hotels. But Discover Lehigh Valley, the regional tourism agency, gets 68.75% of that tax ($1.7 million) pursuant to state law. Another 18.75 percent ($468,000) goes for tourism and community development. The rest ($332,000) can only be spent on developing facilities or marketing campaigns that will boost tourism. If all of this money is forked over to DaVinci, it will take the County 45 years to honor this commitment.

What's even more amazing is that the County will be paying public money to take a property that generates tax revenue off the rolls.
____________________
* The Express Times reports 50 people were there. I do a count at every meeting I cover, but it's possible I counted wrong and that Kurt Bresswein counted right.
** The three remaining town halls will be today at George Wolf Elementary School in Bath; Tuesday, August 29, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor; and Thursday, August 31, at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton. All meetings start at 7 pm.

DaVinci To Pitch $130MM Aquarium to Public

DaVinci Science Center is taking its case to the public. The Allentown-based science museum will pitch its plans for a proposed $130 million aquarium, to be located in Easton, at four town halls over the next two weeks. These forums, all of them located in Northampton County, have been designed so that the public can learn more about the project, and offer feedback.

The town halls are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, August 23, 7 pm, at Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem;
Thursday, August 24, 7 pm, at George Wolf Elementary School in Bath;
Tuesday, August 29, 7 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bangor; and
Thursday, August 31, 7 pm, at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton.

Three of the locations for these so-called town halls are schools where a large number of students are eligible for free or reduced lunches (Paxinosa - 72%, Northeast Middle School - 72.5%, and George Wolf Elementary - 23%). George Wolf Elementary is located in Bath, which claims it is so broke it is unable to afford a police department. In Bangor, 15.7% of the population is below the poverty level.

According to Da Vinci Executive Director Lin Erickson, its proposed Science City will bring education, tourism and economic development to Northampton County.

Easton Has Committed $30 million 

It has chosen the Easton Days Inn, located near the junction of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. That will be demolished and replaced with a 170,000 sq ft facility that includes a science center, a 500,000 gallon aquarium with large view panes, an Aquarium Restaurant and event center with seating for 500, an immersion theater, a creativity studio or "Fab lab," classrooms and offices.

One drawback of this site is its limited parking. Another, as Erickson herself noted, is that it is located in the flood plain. From time to time, it is itself an aquarium.

Its accessibility to Routes 22 and 78, as well as its proximity to New Jersey, are positive factor. But the biggest would have to be funding was also a major factor. "Mayor Panto stepped up with a commitment unlike any of the other cities," acknowledged Erickson.

Easton has agreed to contribute up to $30 million of the projected $130 million cost. Its population as of 2016 is 26,978, so that comes out to $1,112 per Easton resident. Nearly a third of its population is below the poverty level. Only half of its homes are owner-occupied. But  the City has an A-plus credit rating.

Previously, Mayor Sal Panto had hoped to enhance tourism with a national high school hall of fame. But that idea went nowhere.

Northampton County has committed $50,000

What about Northampton County?

Northampton County has contributed $50,000 in hotel taxes to help fund a $1.2 million feasibility study.

In February, Northampton County Council said No to a request for an additional $50,000. "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 warned.

By June, Erickson reported that two-thirds of the $1.2 million funding needed for a feasibility study had been committed.

At the same time, DaVinci representatives have been quietly meeting individually with Council members.

They now want $5 million in hotel taxes.

DaVinci Hires Architect Despite Lack of Feasibility Study

Though no feasibility study has been done, DaVinci has also selected an architect  - San Francisco's EHDD. In a letter to Council members, she declines to name this firm. And then she names EHDD in a glossy brochure.

She fails to explain how an architect can be hired before it is known whether the project is even feasible.

Based on a comparison with the Chattanooga Aquarium, Erickson has previously projected that Easton's Da Vinci Center will draw 600,000 visitors annually. It will create $45 million in economic development, provide jobs for 200 people and generate $7 million in local tax revenue.

Chattanooga (528,000) is much larger than Easton (27,000), but Erickson noted that the population within a 50-mile radius of the Lehigh Valley is 7.1 million, seven times that of a 50-mile radius around the Tennessee site.

In its 20-year history, the Chattanooga Aquarium has attracted 18 million visitors, and hotel taxes in that area have increased 500%.

DaVinci Aquarium Pitched to NorCo Council

Da Vinci Science Center Executive Director Lin Erickson updated Northampton County Council June 1 on its proposed Easton Center expansion. It's a 170,000 sq ft facility that includes a science center, a 500,000 gallon aquarium with large view panes, an Aquarium Restaurant and event center with seating for 500, an immersion theater, a creativity studio or "Fab lab," classrooms and offices. It is proposed at Days Inn on Third Street. Since that's already in the floodplain, it should be easy to fill the aquarium.

This is a $130 million project. Northampton County has already spent $50,000 in hotel tax grant money for a feasibility study, but that's nothing compared to the $30 million pledge made by Easton. It has already agreed to purchase Days Inn, with closing scheduled in December.


According to WNEP-16, Ripley's Aquarium was in talks with Tobyhanna officials last year to build its fourth aquarium near the Kalahari resort. Erickson never disclosed this possibility to Council in previous meetings, which members like Hayden Phillips and Bob Werner.

Now she claims that she conducted a study of markets that have aquariums in close proximity. "In all instances, the multiple aquariums coexisted, and they were very successful," she told Council. She said they were "complementary," and offered "distinct experiences." She cited San Francisco as one example. She indicated that the experience in Easton would be completely different than a Ripley aquarium.

She did say that the DaVinci aquarium would have sharks.

She also claimed that a DaVinci Science Center in Easton would have a direct economic benefit to the county in the form of increased hotel and real estate taxes. She projects hotel tax revenue will increase $3.9 million over 10 years, and real estate tax revenue would go up $53 million over that same period.

Given that Northampton County's total real estate tax revenue is only about $100 million per year, there's something fishy about this projection.

Erickson also claims there will be 200 permanent jobs at the site, as well as 650 union jobs during construction.

Right now, Erickson is having trouble raising the $1.2 million needed for a real feasibility study, as opposed to whatever she has done. She claims to have $425,000 in secured gifts and pledges. She claims to be "in negotiation" for an additional $400,000. "We are delightfully pleased with the funding opportunities so far," she said.

Ron Littlefield, former Mayor of Chattanooga, addressed Council by phone. He said his City was once designated by no less a person than Walter Cronkite as the dirtiest city in America. The aquarium is one of the reasons the City turned around. He was unable to tell Council President John Cusick how much money Chattanooga spent on the project. He did say that hotel taxes paid for the project.

Easto Mayor Sal Panto,who not long ago was waving pom poms for a High School Hall of Fame in downtown Easton, is now cheering for the DaVinci Center. He claimed  to be "very, very pleased by what we've seen over the last six months. A lot of studies are being done. It is amazing. A lot of big, large corporations are really interested in this project."

Really? Then why has only $425,000 been raised?

Right after talking about the City's A plus bond rating, Panto told Matt Dietz that the City has already spent $6 million on this project,and intends to borrow $24 million through a bond issue,paid by the amusement tax on 400,000 visitors per year and income taxes paid by 200 permanent workers. .

Peg Ferraro called the project "exciting." She said, "DaVinci has such a history. They have a track record."

Blogger's Note: My report on this presentation is based on viewing the video.

DaVinci to Pitch $130 Million Easton Aquarium Again

Da Vinci Science Center Executive Director Lin Erickson is scheduled to make a presentation to Northampton County Council today concerning what Council Prez John Cusick has derisively called a "fish tank" in Easton. That city has already agreed to contribute up to $30 million of the projected $130 million cost.  But then again, Mayor Sal Panto thought a high school Hall of Fame was a great idea,too.

Easton already has an agreement to purchase Days Inn. That aging hotel will be demolished and replaced with a 170,000 sq ft facility that includes a science center, a 500,000 gallon aquarium with large view panes, an Aquarium Restaurant and an event center with seating for 500, an immersion theater, a creativity studio or "Fab lab," classrooms and offices.

Erickson never bothered telling NorCo Council, when she pitched successfully for a $50,000 grant, that a similar project was under consideration in Monroe County. Nor did she tell them when she later came back in a failed attempt for another $50,000.

Amazingly, Erickson only knew about this because Diane Donaher, NorCo's former Director of Community and Economic Development, told her. Donaher told Erickson, but never bothered to tell Council. Erickson explained that she had no idea if the plan was moving ahead or not, so she never told Council. Phillips found that explanation to be "disingenuous," but Glenn Geissinger said it would be "absolutely unreasonable to have asked you to notify us of a project that may or may not exist."

According to WNEP-16, Ripley's Aquarium was in talks with Tobyhanna officials to build its fourth aquarium near the Kalahari resort.

My guess is that Erickson would like some more of Northampton County's hotel taxes.

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.