New York architect Kathy Sekowski was impressed. The urban designer making her first visit to the Lehigh Valley expected to find its urban zones just starting to move out of the post-industrial malaise and instead found three cities far along the path to revitalization.
“There’s a huge disproportion between the image and the reality,” she said after a lunch break on the 2007 Urban Opportunities Tour conducted Oct. 18 by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
The goal of this year’s tour was to reach out to developers and real estate professionals across the Valley and beyond to introduce them to the potential for redevelopment in the urban areas, and the tour attracted almost 30 of those professionals from as far away as New York City and Connecticut. For some, it reinforced what they already knew and provided further insight on the efforts the city’s have been putting forth to rebuild their tax base. For others, such as Sekowski, it was an eye-opening day.
“I never realized how much development was going on, how much architectural wealth there is, and how much charm there is in these cities,” she said after listing to Easton Mayor Phil Mitman’s luncheon presentation on his city’s four-year effort to prioritize cleanliness, economic development, public safety and residential and investor confidence. “I will definitely come back.”
The third annual Urban Tour gives the developers and real estate professionals a chance to interact with city Community and Economic Development leaders and visit a variety of sites that display the potential of urban properties. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and Easton Mayor Phil Mitman will give presentations on their cities as the tour visits each municipality, and the developers will have the opportunity for follow-up meetings with the mayors and city officials on Friday to learn more about specific sites of interest.
“The revitalization of our cities has been and remains one of our top priorities,” said Robert Weed, interim President and Chief Executive Officer for LVEDC. “By providing the opportunities for developers to learn more about the cities and the potential these sites offer for creative and substantial use or re-use, we encourage increased investment and the continued restoration of an important economic platform for the Lehigh Valley.”
The tour began at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem at 8:30 a.m. Thursday with a presentation by Mayor Callahan, followed by a bus tour of selected sites in that city.
Callahan outlined the $1.6 billion in redevelopment already underway in the Christmas City and explained the committed urban planning process that has guided the city as it sets the pace for redevelopment across the Valley.
“While Bethlehem has see a tremendous amount of growth and good things, there are still a lot of opportunities here,” Callahan said before the group began its tour of his city. “You are going to see some projects that will take some vision, but we are here to help.”
Mayor Mitman said Easton has seen a resurgence in residential investment over the past four years, and that has helped spur increased commercial and office development interest. Referring to the Bank Street Annex where the group stopped for lunch, Mitman explained its reuse over the years.
“We are going to see several buildings in Easton that offer the same potential,” he said as the group prepared to board the bus for the post-luncheon tour.
Mayor Pawlowski told the professionals that while Center City has seen some strong projects brought to fruition over the past several years, they are only a small portion of a renaissance going on across the Valley’s largest municipality. The focus now is on rebuilding the residential neighborhoods surrounding the downtown to provide a stable platform for continued growth, he said.
“We have some great potential. This is a place for opportunity,” he said during a presentation at the Baum School of Art. “Allentown is at the tipping point (of a solid revival).”
Sites visited in each city included a mix of office, retail/commercial and industrial buildings and developable sites without existing structures, such as the Calo building on Front Street and the former Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 5 office on Lehigh Street in Allentown; the Miller Wholesale/Christmas City Bottling facility on Monocacy Street and the former D’Huy Engineering building on Main Street in Bethlehem; and the former Lipkin’s Furniture store at 3rd and Ferry Streets and a vacant manufacturing building on Lincoln Street in Easton.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Unique grassroots movement promotes tolerance for LGTB community
I first heard about the "gay? fine by me." T-shirt project last year when my sister mentioned it occurring out at Millersville University's campus.
The Gay? Fine By Me™ T-Shirt Project sprung from a dinner conversation between ten friends, both gay and straight, at Duke University in the spring of 2003. In January 2005, two of the founders of the original T-Shirt Project, Lucas Schaefer and Leila Nesson Wolfrum, established Fine By Me, Inc. to give voice to the friends and supporters of LGBT Americans. In June 2005, Fine By Me became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Through the organization you may purchase an inexpensive T-shirt which simply states "gay? fine by me." It is one way to promote tolerance for the LGBT community regardless of your sexual orientation. The movement has spread virally across primarily college campuses with several thousands of T-shirts purchased and distributed nationwide.
To learn more visit finebyme.org.
The Gay? Fine By Me™ T-Shirt Project sprung from a dinner conversation between ten friends, both gay and straight, at Duke University in the spring of 2003. In January 2005, two of the founders of the original T-Shirt Project, Lucas Schaefer and Leila Nesson Wolfrum, established Fine By Me, Inc. to give voice to the friends and supporters of LGBT Americans. In June 2005, Fine By Me became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
Through the organization you may purchase an inexpensive T-shirt which simply states "gay? fine by me." It is one way to promote tolerance for the LGBT community regardless of your sexual orientation. The movement has spread virally across primarily college campuses with several thousands of T-shirts purchased and distributed nationwide.
To learn more visit finebyme.org.
Why the Lehigh Valley needs a regional Health Bureau
Last week, I met for the first time with NET's Board of Advisers to discuss my plans for the upcoming year. Steve Bliss, a representative from Renew Lehigh Valley, was there to alert NET for the need for a regional health bureau.
Why is this an issue? Currently we have two health bureau's in this area, one in Allentown, and one in Bethlehem. Anyone who live outside of those areas may have an official here and there, but are grossly unprotected. These groups and scattered officials for the most part do not communicate on a regular basis. What does this mean? That in the Lehigh Valley we are seriously lacking public health services like immunizations. And if were ever to have an large outbreak of any kind, or bioterrorism, there is no central entity to take charge, and take action. A Lehigh Valley Health Bureau would coordinate response to such emergencies.
Some officials are wary of a regional health bureau because they are afraid that it will tax the existing fragmented system. However, by creating a regional organization, state funding for the area would increase by $3.2 million. More than double what our region receives now - $1.4 million.
What can you do? Express your support! Voting is coming up in both counties on the issue.
Vanessa Williams
President
Why is this an issue? Currently we have two health bureau's in this area, one in Allentown, and one in Bethlehem. Anyone who live outside of those areas may have an official here and there, but are grossly unprotected. These groups and scattered officials for the most part do not communicate on a regular basis. What does this mean? That in the Lehigh Valley we are seriously lacking public health services like immunizations. And if were ever to have an large outbreak of any kind, or bioterrorism, there is no central entity to take charge, and take action. A Lehigh Valley Health Bureau would coordinate response to such emergencies.
Some officials are wary of a regional health bureau because they are afraid that it will tax the existing fragmented system. However, by creating a regional organization, state funding for the area would increase by $3.2 million. More than double what our region receives now - $1.4 million.
What can you do? Express your support! Voting is coming up in both counties on the issue.
I live in Northampton County...
Together we can create a safer, healthier region.Vanessa Williams
President
"Priced Out" says Morning Call; the Affordable Housing Crisis in the Lehigh Valley
An article appeared in Sunday's Morning Call about the affordable housing crisis in this area. This is a topic NET has been speaking about for over a year now. We know that it is one of the biggest hurdles facing young professionals in this area. And I know first hand as I am currently in the housing marketing.
The article followed the Telesha family who are looking for a home under $125,000. Not surprisingly, they only found homes which were in bad neighborhoods, or in dire need of repair. In my opinion, however, they are the extreme. Most of you have expressed "affordable housing" as being between $150,000 and $200,000. This is still a struggle as most of us, as the article touched upon, are ineligible for any sort of assistance program.
Vanessa Williams
President
The article reported:
"In the past five years, home prices have risen more than 55 percent, hitting a record high last year of $228,000. Prices are even higher now, with the average cost of an existing home up 3 percent from a year ago.
Median incomes in the Valley, meanwhile, have risen at less than a third of that rate in the same period, according to the U.S. census.
Lehigh and Northampton counties deem the lack of affordable housing a growing issue and are planning to convene a first-ever summit on the issue.
''You have young professionals who are almost becoming the working poor,'' said Chris Bennick of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. ''It's a crisis.''
Some fear that the growing failure of people to make the jump from rental housing to owning a home will undermine the Valley's economic boom.
The dearth of affordable housing threatens to affect employers -- particularly hospitals and schools that may not be able to attract essential employees. A bi-county study published this year found teachers, policemen and others can no longer afford homes in the Valley that cost the median price.
On the heels of the report, the two counties have taken some steps to address the problem. Both counties have put aside money to pay for a regional housing coordinator to develop a strategy to boost the number of affordable units.
Lehigh County has re-established its housing trust fund, which will pay for the construction and rehabilitation of houses for low-to-moderate income families, and hopes to begin disbursing funds by the end of the year.
Other initiatives also provide a measure of hope. The Housing Association and Development Corp. announced last week an ambitious plan to build and repair 26 homes in Allentown, many of which will be sold for less than $100,000. In Bethlehem, Habitat plans to build 26 affordable homes near the top of South Mountain.
The number of people in the Valley who need help, however, is growing. And few assistance programs target people who are not low-income. For example, only families earning 80 percent of the median income or less will be eligible to buy homes in the HADC project."
....
"Participants in the Valley's recent study on affordable housing, completed in May, recommended creating a revolving loan pool to provide financing to nonprofit developers of low-cost housing.
They also recommended waiving some fees and providing incentives for private developers that commit to building affordable housing. That's an idea embraced by housing advocates across the country.
''In order to meet the demand for affordable housing, we have to mobilize the private sector,'' Pam Patenaude of the Urban Land Institute, a Washington, D.C., advocacy group.
Florida is addressing the problem aggressively after a housing summit galvanized the state, Patenaude said. The state has created a pilot program to build ''work force'' housing for those making between 60 to 120 percent of the area's median income. Florida is also using density bonuses to encourage private developers to build more affordable units.
The Valley's bi-county advisory committee has taken steps to make affordable housing a permanent issue. It will meet at least four times a year, organize an annual summit and produce annual progress reports.
Experts say it's wise for the two counties to take the long view because the availability of affordable homes in the Valley is unlikely to change soon."
Gaydar Magazine Holiday Party to Benefit Fighting AIDS Continuously Together and Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Don’t miss this kick off to the holiday season!
Date: Thursday, November 29th
Place: Lee Gribbens on Main
198 Main St., Emmaus, PA
Time: 8-11PM
$20 admission includes this menu and your first cocktail
Menu
Mini Tarts filled with Raspberry, Almond & Brie
Stuffed Mushrooms with Crabmeat
Mexican Pie with Chips
BBQ Shrimp wrapped in Bacon
White Bean Feat & Bruschetta
Roasted Sweet Potato Pancakes
Fruit & Cheese Kabobs
Strudel with Wild Mushrooms & Goat Cheese
Open-faced Tenderloin Sandwiches
Bring friends and give back to these non profits who work hard all year
to make this a better community for all of us
RSVP to Lee Gribbens on Main by calling 610.967.4409
Preorder tickets at www.prideglv.org
All proceeds benefit FACT (Fighting AIDS Continuously Together)
&
Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Gaydar Magazine: Together, we put the fun in fundraiser!
Nervous about public speaking? Join Toastmasters.
From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 220,000 members in 11,300 clubs in 90 countries, offering a proven way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.
At Toastmasters meetings participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.
There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.
Experienced professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you are—to become better communicators.
The Lehigh Valley is part of District 38 and has several clubs that meet at various places and time of day.
At Toastmasters meetings participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.
There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.
Experienced professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you are—to become better communicators.
The Lehigh Valley is part of District 38 and has several clubs that meet at various places and time of day.
Young professionals can learn to live on less, save more
Sometimes the standard prescription for trimming a budget doesn't produce the desired results. So what do you do if you're still broke after fewer lattes and no more Chinese takeout?
It's a question that a lot of young professionals seem to be asking themselves. A recent survey from brokerage house Charles Schwab Corp. found that people born between about 1960 and 1985 are struggling with both paying down debt and saving for a first home and retirement.
With banks becoming stricter about how much money they will let home buyers borrow, and fewer employers offering pension plans, it is all the more important to be able to tackle both sets of goals.
In reality, it is going to take some creative and disciplined action to achieve all that you want, no matter what your salary is. Here's what you need to do:
Log your spending. The first thing is to track where your money goes. In order to direct those precious dollars to the places you really want them to be, you need to follow your spending. One of the best ways to do this is to buy a small notebook, something that will easily fit in your purse or coat pocket, and write down everything you spend for a month, including the change you might pump into a vending machine.
If you use a credit card or debit card, don't forget to consult your monthly statement and add those items to your notebook. Include any bills, such as your mortgage or rent payment, utilities and cable.
Reduce your fixed costs. After a month of logging your money's movement, you'll probably notice some obvious places to cut back. Extraneous purchases, such as that daily $3 latte, add up. But you also should consider ways to reduce your most expensive bills, such as rent, credit card interest and car payments. If you shave off $200 from rent by moving to a cheaper apartment or finding roommates, you'll pocket $2,400 a year.
Get creative. Even after you have traded in for a used car or cut your rent bill, other measures might be needed to not only tackle any debt but also to start building some wealth. If you need help on that, head online. Personal-finance blogs are veritable gold mines of budget-slashing tips, and every week a number of those ideas are compiled into a blog carnival, somewhat akin to a magazine or newsletter, called the Festival of Frugality (www.festivaloffrugality.com).
One blogger, for example, offers tips on how to put together a cheap Halloween costume. Another talks about saving money by not buying bottled water.
There are also suggestions on how to stick to a budget.
Stephanie Appleton, 36, is a stay-at-home mom in Ona, W. Va., who blogs at http://www.stoptheride.net . Since she first started budgeting seriously for her family about 10 years ago, Appleton has made cutbacks gradually.
''You have to do one thing at a time and adjust to it first,'' she said. ''I wouldn't want to cut my bottled water, steak and ice cream all at once.''
Save those reclaimed dollars. Be sure to save the newfound money. Make it easy on yourself by having the sum you're supposed to accumulate automatically transferred to a savings account. As your balance grows, you'll miss the steak and ice cream less and less.
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