Allentown and Reading are getting safer

This story is pretty important and I thought it deserved it's own heading.

As reported by WFMZ, a news release by CQ Press has dropped Allentown and Reading from the list of the most dangerous cities.

Now, here's the million dollar question: what caused this change? Any thoughts?

Bangor to announce more than $1 million in revitalization grants

Looks like the volunteers and staff in Bangor are doing an outstanding job! Congrats to everyone for their hard work over there.

UPDATE: Wow, Bangor is really busy! Way to go!!

The Chamber enters the blogging world...

I've written a few entries on the importance of the internet when it comes to urban revitalization and promoting small businesses. Of course, the internet can be incredibly useful when it comes to capturing market information, getting new customers, dispensing information and hearing the voice of the citizenry (a critical component to any urban revitalization effort).

Well, I'm now pleased to note that the company I work for is moving one step further when it comes to internet usage. Of course, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce already has a website. However, websites aren't always enough these days, and the Chamber has recognized that. Accordingly, it has launched a series of new internet initiatives: pages on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and a blog. All of these are components of what some refer to as "Web 2.0" and designed to help promote the organization and its various initiatives, as well as reach a whole new segment of the population.

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again and again: the internet is getting more and more popular (and thus more and more necessary) every day. These websites are worth checking out.

Proof of the "Broken Window" theory

A study reported on MSNBC in the journal "Science" shows that grafitti in a neighborhood triggers crime and littering. To quote from the story:

"The theory suggests that signs of disorder, such as broken windows, graffiti and litter, can open the door to individuals breaking other social norms and rules. In New York's 'Quality of Life Campaign,' adopted in the mid-1990s, city filth, including graffiti, street litter and signs of vandalism, were removed. And petty crime rates did drop. "

This is the theory behind numerous anti-crime effort, including the community policing initative recently begun in Allentown. Looking at it from a reverse perspective, it is also the theory behind programs like Properties of Merit and Facade Programs (similiar to the ones run by the BBRP).

At the same time, the study demonstrated that policing itself is not enough. Instead, you have to "make a link between a sanction and the norm" while making people "feel part of their community."

Easier said than done.

Keep American Beautiful

From Left to Right: Julia Marano (Keep PA Beautiful), Vince Smith (Catasauqua Borough Council President), Sharon Davis (BBRP Coordinator), Gene Goldfeder (Catasauqua Borough Council Manager), Virginia Savage (Lehigh County)

Lehigh County receives $10,000.00 for trash receptacles placed in five Borough Business Revitalization Communities


Lehigh County has received a $10,000 Waste Management Think Green Grant through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for trash cans placed in five communities. The recipients, Alburtis, Coopersburg, Catasauqua, Hellertown and Wilson are members of the Borough Business Revitalization Program.

Out of 85 Keep America Beautiful affiliates who submitted proposals for projects that promoted environmental and community stewardship, only 18 were awarded grant money, including Lehigh County.

“Creating safe, clean and inviting environments for residents and visitors of our downtowns is a critical component to the revitalization of our communities,” said Virginia Savage, Lehigh County Manager of Main Street Initiatives. “Several of our municipalities have identified litter receptacles as a priority in order to reduce the amount of trash currently found in their streets and on their sidewalk, and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Keep PA Beautiful to assist our communities in their efforts.”

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was pleased to work with Virginia Savage in obtaining a Think Green Grant from Keep America Beautiful, funded by Waste Management Inc.,” said Julia Marano, Keep PA Beautiful Executive Director. “These grants are made available to communities who are part of the Keep America Beautiful affiliate network and maintain their status as ‘affiliates in good standing.’ In addition, the participating communities used the Keep America Beautiful litter index tool to measure the effectiveness of placing the trash containers. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful looks forward to working with Virginia and the local Lehigh Valley communities in the future.”

Easton Main Street

Hi everyone,



The Express Times has an update on the Easton Main Street Initative. The group is reaching out to other local merchants, property owners and residents in its Main Street area, something all revitalization efforts must do. They are an incredibly successful program, and congrats to all of the staff and volunteers over there for a job well done.



I'll have an entry later today on a press conference that we held yesterday.

To the dogs....

One of the more popular trends in parks of late are dog parks. The rise of dog parks have occured as urban areas have seen an increase in their pet population - current estimates are that 58% of American households have some sort of a pet, and 38% of households have dogs.

Dog parks are great because they allow for animals to have a chance to play, exercise and socialize with each other. However, it is important that those who are striving to get a dog park in their community chiefly stress the benefits to people, not pets. With dog parks, individuals get a chance to socialize, get outdoors and increase their overall quality of life and recreational opportunities.

There are problems, of course - who should pay for this park (expenses include bags for waste, trash installation and removal, fences, lighting and water for the dogs)? What happens when one dog hurts another, or hurts another human? And where should these parks go?

Bethlehem and Nazareth have installed dog parks recently and had success with them. This is a trend that is growing and something that may be worth examining some communities.

BID to Bethlehem?

The Morning Call has a story on the potential of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Bethlehem.

BIDs are an often used component to revitalize urban cores. They involve assessing a fee (usually based on the square footage of a store or jobs created) on properties within the district. That money is then used to pay staff and provide for services, including increase security, physical improvements, clean-ups, etc. Of course, all of those services are outstanding and can be a huge boost to downtowns, who often suffer from insufficient resources or attention from local governments. The problem, of course, is that merchants or property owners often don't want or can't afford another fee from the government. This is why BIDs are often controversial subjects.

That being said, they are certainly proving to be more popular lately. There seems to be a growing realization among downtowns that special attention must be paid to older, urban cores in order to continue with a successful revitalization effort.

As always, the trick lies in generation community consensus behind the BID. Without public consensus, a BID will always fail.

Macungie Completes Business Directory

Congrats to the Macungie volunteers for their hard work on this project. The purpose of Business Directory's, of course, is to promote businesses however possible. I think that this is something that revitalization programs are going to have to focus on more and more, particularly as the economy gets tougher. For more information, see below:




Macungie completes Business Directory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Michael Schlossberg
November 13, 2008 484-809-1796

(November 13) Macungie, PA – Mike Schlossberg, coordinator for the Macungie Business Revitalization Program, announced today that the Macungie Business Directory has been completed and is now available.

The Directory contains a variety of information over eighty businesses, including contact information, hours of operation, a description of services and coupons to selected businesses.

“Our efforts are designed to improve businesses in Macungie,” said Schlossberg. “With this guide, we will hopefully increase awareness of the diversity of businesses in the Borough and encourage residents to shop here.” Schlossberg also noted that similar projects in other local Boroughs, such as Hellertown and Emmaus, have resulted in an increase in customers to local businesses.

The guide is available at Macungie Borough Hall, the Macungie Institute and at the Borough of Macungie’s website (http://www.macungie.pa.us). It can also be obtained by contacting Mike Schlossberg at 484-809-1796 or MikeS@lehighvalleychamber.org.

In the news....

Two interesting stories in the news to report today. The first is an outstanding story about giving back to the community. Alvin H. Butz, Inc., is donating $250,000 to Valley Vision 2015, the urban revitalization effort by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. In this economic climate, that is an incredibly difficult thing to do and Butz should be commended for their commitment to the community. It is too easy for construction companies and developers to ignore cities in the name of making the quick and easy profit, but Butz is proof that you can redevelop urban cores and still be extremely successful.

The second is more good news about our local economy, at least in the short-term. As reported in the Express Times, for the first time in years, gas prices have fallen below $2.00 in some New Jersey gas stations. If this trend continues, Lehigh Valley gas may soon see the same decline. This makes for an interesting question - what will the effect of this gas decline be on our urban cores?

Alburtis Tree Lighting

Alburtis to hold Tree Lighting event - Choir, Santa, Tree Lighting to mark celebration of holiday season

Alburtis, PA (November 11) – The Alburtis Business Revitalization Program will hold a special Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony to celebrate the holiday season.

The event will feature the lighting of Alburtis’ Christmas Tree, speeches from local dignitaries, a visit from Santa, refreshments and a performance by the Choir of St. Joseph the Worker R.C. Church.

The event will be held at the intersection of Main and Franklin Streets on Sunday, November 30, 5:00pm.

The event is being sponsored by First Star Bank.

Thank You, First Star Bank

Hi everyone,

I'm pleased to report that First Star Bank is sponsoring a couple of initiatives in Alburtis; see the press release below. I know these press releases tend to sound a little flowery, but I really do mean it when I say that First Star Bank has been an outstanding partner to work with. I am so grateful for their continued support throughout the community.

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First Star Bank to sponsor upcoming Alburtis events: Community bank to sponsor upcoming Alburtis calendar, tree lighting for $400

Alburtis, PA – First Star Bank and the Alburtis Business Revitalization Program (ABRP) announced today that First Star will be sponsoring two events in Alburtis (the sale of a calendar and tree lighting) for $400. The sponsorship will go towards the continued funding of the Alburtis Business Revitalization Program.

“First Star Bank is proud to be able to continue our support to the Alburtis Community. This is an example of what ‘Community Banking’ is all about. I want to wish everyone in Alburtis a very Merry Christmas,” said Joseph T Svetik, President/CEO First Star Bank.

“No urban revitalization effort goes anywhere without assistance from the community,” said Mike Schlossberg, Alburtis Business Revitalization Coordinator. “First Star is an outstanding business partner. They are involved in the community and actively concerned with the welfare and future of Alburtis. We could not ask for more.”

This sponsorship will go towards two initiatives: A Christmas Tree lighting that will be held on Sunday, November 30 at 5:00pm (at the intersection of Main and Franklin Street in Alburtis) and the sale of an Alburtis Calendar that will feature pictures of the community.

This is the second ABRP program in which First Star Bank is involved. In addition to serving on the ABRP’s Steering Committee, First Star has a reduced interest Façade Loan Program that provides property owners with a reduced interest rate loan to pursue the renovations to their properties. This program operates in conjunction with the Alburtis Façade Grant program, but can be used separately from the program. Its goal is to encourage continued improvements to the physical appearance of Alburtis.

The Borough Business Revitalization Program is a regional Main Street Program. It is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh & Northampton counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the eight Boroughs: Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie and Wilson. The goal of the program is to revitalize the urban cores of the participating communities.

By six votes

After initially being reported as having failed, a measure in Upper Saucon Township that would raise the income tax by .25% to make land purchases and protect open space has passed by six votes. And who says that one vote doesn't matter?

No other initatives like this were on the ballot this year, but other similiar measures have passed in previous years. Currently, Lehigh County ranks third in Pennsylvania counties in terms of open space preserved.

As far as I am concerned, measures like this are outstanding and necessary in order to protect open space. Not only do they make sense in terms of protecting urban space and revitalizing cities, but they will ultimately reduce the need for property tax increase, since the proptection of open space and park/farm lands lead to an increase in property values (and thus property tax revenues).

Protecting open space does make sense financially, and short-term tax increase equate to long-term tax decreases.

Crime in your area

This website will take you to the Pennsylvania State Police's online crime database. It is actually fascinating to look at - you can view crime in your hometown.

Out of curiosity, I ran the stats for Alburits, Coopersburg, Hellertown and Macungie. In 2007, here's what I got:

Alburtis - one burglary, two larcenies, two vandalism, one DUI and two disorderly conducts.
Coopersburg - two larcenies, 26 vandalism, one weapons charge, three DUIs, one liquor law violation, one case of public drunkenness, one disorderly conduct and three miscellaneous offenses.
Hellertown - two assaults, eight larcenies, one forgery, five frauds, 25 vandalism, four drug possessions, five DUIs, two public drunkenness, two disorderly conduct and three miscellaneous offenses.
Macungie - two larcenies, two drug possessions, seven DUIs, three disorderly conducts and four miscellaneous offenses.

Clearly, and thankfully, none of our communities are exactly criminal hotbeds.