MOVING ALLENTOWN FORWARD: 2014 A YEAR IN REVIEW

Last year proved to be quite the year for progress here in the City of Allentown, from the revitalization of the downtown area to the start of construction of the American Parkway Bridge, Allentown saw a year of moving forward like no other.

“What a year,” said Mayor Pawlowski.  “We saw the creation of Allentown 4.0 before our very eyes.  The most exciting part is this is just the beginning.  Allentown 4.0 continues this year, and I can’t wait to see what our city looks like at the end of next year.  What a great time to be in Allentown.”

The most significant achievement was the opening of the new PPL Arena, with a concert by legendary rock band the Eagles in September.  The City celebrated with the “Rise Together Allentown” arts and cultural community celebration the weekend after the concert.  The Philadelphia Phantoms played their first regular season game in October to a sell-out, capacity crowd.  The first building to open in the Arena complex was One City Center on Hamilton Street, which houses the Lehigh Valley Health Network Sports Medicine and Fitness Center.

Two City Center opened shortly afterward across the street from the arena complex, becoming the headquarters for National Penn Bancshares, with other tenants filling it to capacity.  The year also saw the construction of Center City Three on the old Colonial Theater site, and City Center Four, which will house STRATA Flats,which will have 170 luxury apartment units.

Last year, the city booked its first convention for the now-open Marriott Renaissance Hotel when the Pennsylvania Municipal Leagues Annual Convention comes to town in June.

The revitalization of downtown has resulted in over $1 Billion in development, hundreds of jobs for local construction workers, and when completed, bring thousands of permanent jobs and new downtown residents as well.  It is also expected to attract over a million visitors a year who will dine, shop and attend events at the new arena, making center city Allentown a prime destination once again.

The City made it easier to find a job by launching TweetMyJobs, a new online jobs platform that revolutionizes job recruitment by offering an easy and user-friendly online tool to find employment by combining mobile technology and social media.  Allentown also announced a new six-year, $3.3 million initiative aimed at revitalizing the remainder of Center City and surrounding area.

Speaking of dining, several new restaurants opened in the city last year.  The seventh Street Corridor, from Tilghman to Hamilton, saw many diverse ethnic eateries open, too many to mention.  Hamilton Street saw the opening of Crust, Chickie’s and Pete’s, Tim Horton’s Coffee and Donut shop, Roar Social House, Tony Luke’s, Johnny’s Bagels, and the Hamilton Kitchen.  We also received the news that Shula’s Steakhouse will relocate from Center Valley to the first floor of the STRAT Flats at Four City Center building this year, and more new, exciting dining choices are soon to follow as well.

Last year also saw the re-opening of a bigger and better Youell’s Oyster house, which was burned to the ground in a devastating fire, and the return of the Shanty to 19^th Street.  Several new stores have opened around the City as well, including the upscale New York Fashion clothing store on Seventh Street near Tilghman.  Shopping and dining became easier with the introduction of the AMP (Allentown Merchant Payment) gift card, which can be used in many businesses in the greater downtown area.

The City saw many other major highlights besides economic development.  Public Safety was increased with addition of more police officers and security cameras.  The Emergency Operations Center re-opened with over $15,000 in renovations and enhancements.  The renovated East Side Fire Station on Irving Street also re-opened with a three-bay, two-story building that can accommodate up to eight firefighters and two paramedics.   The Allentown Fire Department also received a $365,000 grant to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses.

The City also saw the implementation of Text to 911, a service for those who are unable to speak to seek emergency help from the Emergency Operations Center.

The Quality of life for residents of Allentown were improved with the opening of a new warming shelter inside Alliance Hall at 6^th and Chew for those seeking shelter from the cold weather.

In June of 2014, Mayor Pawlowski was invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to the White House to join her in announcing the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness.  He joined other mayors from across the country to pledge to work together to end this growing problem.

The City of Allentown will open the Lehigh Valley’s first Community Center for the LGBT Community.  The Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center will be located at 1021 W. Turner St.

The Inaugural Cops Meet Block Basketball Tournament was held with police officers and young adults playing side by side to further enhance the positive relationship between the two groups.

The City of Allentown was recognized for its premier park system with the designated a Playful City USA for the 6^th consecutive year, and the City purchased a portable Skate Park which can be quickly assembled for block parties and community events.

Allentown also received a boost to its fiscal health.  The City saw no tax increase for the 10^th straight year, and a stronger fiscal position than is has been in decades thanks to the success of the water and sewer lease.  Allentown also saw a $280, 000 recycling performance grant, awarding the city for keeping the streets clean through an aggressive and efficient recycling program.

Mayor Pawlowski received several honors during the year:  He was appointed to the US Conference of Mayors Advisory Board; received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Municipal League; recognized by the National League of Cities (NLC) for the completion of several health and wellness goals for Let’s Move!  Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC).

Finally, the City received national attention when Allentown’s own Andre Reed, a Dieruff High School graduate, was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

To say that last year was significant in Allentown’s history is an understatement.  The progress that was made is just the start.  We all look forward to what this year will bring, with the completion of the American Parkway Bridge and the beginning of the Waterfront Development.  Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015.

 

THE LONG ROAD TO EDEN: EAGLES TO OPEN PPL CENTER TONIGHT

The day that the City of Allentown has been waiting so long for is finally here:  The new PPL Center opens tonight with a concert by the Eagles, one of the biggest selling acts in music history.  The Eagles are currently on their “History of the Eagles” Tour, playing all the hits that span their 43 year career.  They last released a record in 2007, “The Long Road Out of Eden.”

“I can’t believe it’s finally here, but I’m glad that it is,” said an excited Mayor Pawlowski about the anchor to the downtown revitalization that has been rising at 7^th and Hamilton for the last two years.  “It seems like yesterday that we had the groundbreaking, and tonight we have the grand opening.  I said it then, and I’ll say it again, it’s a great day for Allentown.”

On November 29, 2012, the Mayor, dignitaries, members of the Lehigh Valley Building and Construction Trades and hockey fans gathered on a cold blustery day for a groundbreaking ceremony using shovels that resembled hockey sticks.  In reality, site preparation work had been going on for several months, and tonight the finished product will host its first ever event.

“I can’t thank everyone who worked on this project enough,” said the Mayor.  “We are so proud of what the arena represents.  We put hundreds of building tradesmen and women back to work, we built this with material from right here in Pennsylvania, we brought hundreds of permanent jobs to city residents, we have new restaurants, and we’ll soon have new apartments.  It’s been a long road to get to where we are, and the best part is that this is just the beginning.  There is more to come, including the development of the waterfront.”

The Eagles are the first of several concerts that will open the arena, before the permanent residents, the Philadelphia Phantoms Hockey Team, drop the puck on their season next month. On Monday, Cher will perform, followed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Tuesday.  Several other musical acts are booked, as well as events like the Professional Bullriders Association, the Harlem Globetrotters, and a Philadelphia 76rs pre-season game, to name just a few.

“The PPL Center is offering entertainment for everyone.  We’ve waited a long time for this day.  This is your arena Allentown, so please come out and enjoy it,” concluded the Mayor.

YOUR SEAT IS NOW READY: FIRST SEATS IN PPL CENTER ARE INSTALLED

The first seats for the new PPL Center arrived in grand style, similar to the arrival of an artist who will soon perform at the arena.  Delivered by limousine and carried down a red carpet, the first seats were installed as State Senator Pat Browne and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski were given the honor of being the first to sit and test their comfort level after they were permanently placed in the new home of the Philadelphia Phantoms.

“They’re very comfortable, with plenty of room,” said Mayor Pawlowski.  “I think everyone who sits in this arena will be quite comfortable.  I can’t wait for the arena to open and for everyone in the Lehigh Valley and beyond to enjoy it.”

The seats are All-American, manufactured by Irwin Seating Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  All the seats will have access to a cup holder which will be attached to the back of the seat in front of them, except those in the front row, which will have cup holders on the arm rest.

During the five week installation process at the arena, Contractors for A.H. Butz will install 7,009 bowl seats, 1099 club seats, and 533 suite seats, which will take about five weeks to install.  All seats are expected to be in place by the week of August 18. The seats for the club and suite seats will be bigger than those in bowl area.

PPL Center will seat more than 10,000 spectators for concerts and more than 8,500 for Phantoms Hockey.  Spectators will get to try out the new seats when the Eagles, one of the biggest selling classic rock bands of all time, christen the arena on September 12^th.

The Phantoms are the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers, and the puck will drop for the first time for a pre-season game on October first against the Hershey Bears, a former Flyers affiliate.  Their first regular season home game will be on October 17^th.