Attention artists, here is an announcement from Joe Skrapits, Allentown Arts Commission:"A private developer is planning to create affordable artists' studios in a building at 4th and Tilghman in Allentown. George Huang (the developer) called me last night to say he will be presenting his plans for the building at a zoning hearing board meeting this Monday, August 18, at 7pm in City Council chambers at City Hall. George has already developed a successful studio building in Yonkers, NY, and he's going through the permitting process in Allentown now. He needs a variance from zoning because the building lacks the required number of off-street parking spaces.
This project will be a great stimulus to Allentown's arts scene. Located in the same area as the Silkwerks, Green Street Dreams, and Gregory and Kiki's building on Washington St., George's building will bring even more artists to the NoTi ("north of Tilghman"--thanks, Gregory) district. If this keeps snowballing, NoTi could become Allentown's first "creative arts" district (versus the institutional arts district downtown), and our test case for showing the city how the arts can transform a once neglected neighborhood."
This project will be a great stimulus to Allentown's arts scene. Located in the same area as the Silkwerks, Green Street Dreams, and Gregory and Kiki's building on Washington St., George's building will bring even more artists to the NoTi ("north of Tilghman"--thanks, Gregory) district. If this keeps snowballing, NoTi could become Allentown's first "creative arts" district (versus the institutional arts district downtown), and our test case for showing the city how the arts can transform a once neglected neighborhood."
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28 comments:
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Mike, I'm disappointed you have projected your frustration with Mayor Pawlowski onto the Chen Arts Group.
what was deleted/removed?
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Soooo... to get back on subject, affordable artist studios in Allentown sounds like a GREAT IDEA and thank you Joe Skrapits for passing along this GOOD NEWS!
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I think Allentown could really benefit from something similar to Bethlehem's Banana Factory. Maybe as more artists find out that there is something "a-buzz" in Allentown, they will want to have a studio here.
I have just deleted an OT personal attack comment by Mike Molovinsky. Additional OT personal attack comments by Mr. Molovinsky will be deleted without explanation.
The Banana Factory has helped to jump-start Bethlehem's South Side in a major way, it seems to me. It would be great if Allentown had its own version of the Banana Factory in Downtown Allentown!
I would just like to say that between the Allentown Symphony Hall, The Baum School of Art, and the Art Museum - we COULD have something 10X better than the Banana Factory - if the leadership of those organizations would get on board. As much as I am not a big Jeff Parks admirer - we need someone with his size ego to envision the role those institutions could play in the city.
LOLV, nailing it, as usual, great to hear from you! I couldn't agree more ...
I think this is a great concept but i think we should keep in mind this was the concept behind the Hyman buildings in the same area and they pretty much just turned out to be low-income rentals.
This guys track record should play a major role in the city's decision.
The existing "arts district" would be a perfect starting point to develop a center for local artists. I think it's great we have the museum for world class exhibits, Baum for youth and adult art education, the symphony for its performances and talks series...but we are lacking a place for local professionals of all disciplines to come together to create and show their work. I'm glad the Chen Arts Group has been getting together regularly because an arts facility will not have legs to stand without an arts community. (I'm looking forward to the next gathering!)
BV - I'm always lurking about somewhere, but its always a pleasure to visit this site.
Also the ANON 11:40 makes a good point re: Hyman. Although I would definitely disagree with the assertion that his buildings are low-income rentals (I know a handful of people who have lived in/are living in his buildings who are paying a pretty penny for their lofts), he is a totally crap-tastic landlord who really hasn't done anything even close to what he promised when he originally bought/starting working on his buildings. I'm going to continue to be leery of anyone who promises good development and then does the bare minimum (if that) which is required to make the building occupiable.
"ANON 11:40 makes a good point"
Well, half a good point ...
hello all, I'm thrilled to report that I was at the zoning meeting tonight and after a bit of discussion, support from a few local artists, support from our own joe skrapits representing the arts commission and chen arts group, support from the mayor through a letter read by joyce marin and even lil ole me getting up there and opening my bit mouth in support...45 artist lofts with a co-op gallery space and some potential for a little retail and maybe even restaurant space this project has been approved. The developer was very approachable and appreciative of the support - there was neighborhood opposition due to lack of parking but a good case was made for this building and it's use as an arts facility. There was a great presentation of this man's work in other buildings in yonkers, nj and I believe a project in philly....quality all the way. The past owner of the building even showed up to offer his support. I confirmed with Joyce Marin that this was not the same entity of the farr lofts and has not received incentives to make this happen. The statement was made by the architectural firm representing him that he's already spent over 200,000 of his own money improving the building - the comments were made repeatedly that this is a private investor putting in his own money.
what else...oh...here's a link to one of his latest ventures YOHO artists studios - http://www.yohoartistlofts.com/
what else what else...the phrase NO TI was used and joyce mentioned that the local arts community has been commenting on the need of gallery and loft spaces in her personal support of this project.
that was supposed to read big mouth and yonkers, ny...sorry it's late LOL
Pete,
Thanks so much for the report, and for attending the meeting. This sounds like great news, I hope it takes off and attracts artists to A-town. Has anyone heard from artists who will be locating there?
Seems like a lot of studios to fill. Will artists be coming from NY? Sorry I could not attend, we had plans with my son.
Thanks for the report Pete, great news!
Also thanks for correcting/clarifying this item:
"I confirmed with Joyce Marin that this was not the same entity of the farr lofts and has not received incentives to make this happen."
pete, my comments were meant as a long time observer, not an accusation. first off, i was wrong with the name, it was a different person involved with the farr loft. during the fall of 2005, pawlowski stated repeatedly that the farr loft was private money, enthusiastic about his vision for the city. in the summer of 06, on the back end of the project, the partnership received half a million for the project from the state. i do not believe such an application is made without planning and assistance from city hall. there are only about 20 lofts, with small kitchenettes, so 25k per unit virtually paid for the conversion. let me state i support the chen art group and artists, but, in all due respect, i'm not impressed with pawlowski and marin lobbying zoning for or against any project, and neighborhood concerns being discounted. certainly the old allentown preservation members want their concerns considered , but the little separate homeowners on 4th st. don't count? last but not least, as a grantmaster yourself, you know how difficult grants can be for the public to track. pete, as someone involved with municipal planning your entitled an advocate, as an allentown taxpayer, i'm well entitled to be skeptical.
Excellent questions, Pete, and another great report, thank you ...
Pete, I'd love to talk to you about this for a moment and ask some questions off-the-blog - maybe we can meet up for a cocktail sometime soon? (oh yeah this is Capri by the way in case you never knew my blogger ID). I just have a couple of questions and you might know some of the answers.
Oh also, this is an open comment to everyone: Please PLEASE drop the "NoTi" idea because its super lame and has awful awful awful connotations of gentrification and yuppie-art that has no connection to either the community or to actual art. SoHo stopped being cool in the 1970s and we should try to be more creative and have better foresight in Allentown. This neighborhood deserves better than to be nicknamed after a neighborhood which is currently home to more Sbarro locations than galleries.
pete, i'm concerned about the playing field in allentown. you mention old allentown wants an incentive to fill vacant storefronts. I believe the association owns the vacant storefront at 8th and gordon, should the taxpayers subsidize a tenant for them? is it better if such funds come from harrisburg than from allentown taxpayers directly? i realize i'm getting off topic, but let me conclude by saying i feel sorry for the taxpayer in lenhartsville or bangor. rendell comes to allentown with the cardboard check because there's thousands of votes here, what does the poor bastard in lenhartsville get for their taxes?
lolv,
Please try to make it to a Chen Arts party/event (it's not a meeting)where you can voice your ideas. I try to keep the events artist-focused so artists get to share and discuss what they do.
We'd like to get a group show happening in the fall possibly at an artist's studio in Allentown.
We are getting together on Sat. Sept. 6th at the Musselman arts center on Hamilton, and then Chen for dinner.
Hey Mike - they unfortunately do not own either empty storefront on 8th and gordon and trust me they would love to see something go into the space - the group has identified over 22 empty corner locations alone in their district. Part of the issue is the old zoning rules and parking - they have been active in the zoning task force discussions to try and make it easier for businesses to move in - I believe the incentives might come from a neighborhood partnership program but am not entirely sure - small incentives and I believe marketing...again I'm not entirely sure. I'm going to admit that I'm a bit naive to how the whole political/grants etc thing works but am trying to pick up quickly to get a better understanding of how things work/don't work.
LOLV...I'm all yours for cocktails and will be around this weekend...you can email me at petelewnes@aol.com.
I actually love SOHO still - not for the arts but for everything that is great in NYC - the problem is not really what an area gets names...it's to provide an area where artists actually buy and live. Allentown offers such a great opportunity with affordable housing - my push is if we are lucky enough to attract artists to get them to buy so we do not end up having the arts gentrify the area and then they get priced out.
NoTi (GREG COATES first coined it I believe) has a fun marketing angle...no tie required is already being used by my friend donna who lives on green street.
Dottie, I put it on my calendar for September, I'll try to make it for at least part of the event!
Greg,
Let's not call it a "meeting" It's a party, a get together, a happening, an event, but NOT a boring meeting!
Mrs Dottie
i am refering to the Zoneing meeting held recently about the Aritst project on 4th and Tilghman
as for the Chen Arts Group, i agree they are not "Meetings"
i look forward to the next one and more people.
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