The Law of Attraction
San Antonio’s River Walk is a public park open 365 days a year, lined with individual businesses composed of restaurants, hotel, attractions and more.
POTTSTOWN, PA – So…what do you want to attract to Pottstown? More of the same? Or something completely different?
We’re not rocket scientists…but we think our readers would tend to side with the ‘completely different’ mindset.
So…tell us. What do you envision for the transformation of Pottstown’s riverfront? Would you settle for the first developer that comes along and plops down a set of plans for what they want for our town?
Or would you want something like Musikfest that our neighbors in the Bethlehem have successfully developed?
How about an annual Bar-B-Q Festival like they have every year in Owensboro, KY? Couldn’t you just imagine the heavenly smells that would waft in the air? It almost reminds of us of when the Mrs. Smith’s plant would be making their pies…and the scent of pumpkin pie lingered in the air downtown.
Or maybe an annual event commemorating an historic event? Like a Renaissance Fair…or enacting a Civil War battle?
How about a Jazz and Blues Festival like they have along the riverfront in Omaha?
As the Urban Land Institute stated in their January 2010 Advisory Servcies Panel Report, people like water. Absolutely! The Schuylkill River is a significant asset for Pottstown…and we need to capitalize on it and make it a major part of our image.
If you’re looking for some ideas on what other towns and cities have done…check out the links below:
Riverfront Recapture (Hartford, CT)
Detroit RiverFront Conservancy
Friends of the Riverfront (Pittsburgh)
The ideas are endless. So…put on your thinking caps folks…and share with us what you think would be great for Pottstown.
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say “Why not?” – George Bernard Shaw
I am totally with you, SP!! I have my thinking cap on…I’ll be back with my “if all the stars line up” idea for Pottstown’s riverfront!
I think you have a good idea, but the examples you gave are from much larger town/cities with more business support and tax base support. You could come up with the best idea, but is it something the town COULD finance? If we had a large event is there enough parking if the event was held at the park? The retirement home isn’t a great idea, but if no one else is knocking at the door to come to Pottstown can the Borough turn them away? It might not be what we want but this is about the survival of the town and beggars can’t be choosers.
Or you can look at it this way kevins it really is all about THE LAW OF ATTRACTION.
Your comment reflects a certain “tinge” of **Pardon the anology** low self-esteem. Like if a person believes they aren’t worthy of respect, love and a beautiful life…it’s assured they will settle for the first person that comes along and pays attention to them. Instead of the Taj Mahal they settle for a 1972 mobile home, 8 kids and a beer swillin’ partner that maybe has a job and maybe not . Hmmm
If Pottstown can overcome it’s collective dysfunction and “ugly twin sister” syndrome to manifest BETTER for itself then we will have plenty of suitors and our reality can change into something bigger, better and far more beautiful than we can fathom.
RESIDENTS AND POLITICIANS, Pay Attenton to Me, I am your leader….
HERE IS YOUR DAILY AFFIRMATION: Look at your reflection in the mirror. Take three deep breaths, in through your nose *hold it*hold it* now – gently release your breath through your mouth.
Now you are very very relaxed – good – repeat after me…
“I’M GOOD ENOUGH, I’M SMART ENOUGH AND DOGGONE…PEOPLE LIKE ME!”
Daily Affirmations By Stuart Smalley (SNL)
As a life long resident here, when I here riverfront, I see flood plane. Any way, I think we already have the start of a revitalizaton going. The new housing located at the old Mrs. Smith site is a good start. Hopefully, this will bring in the type of people who woould enjuy the riverfront. I also hope Boro Council will work with the owners of the building on Hanover & South to clear those trees, and paint some kind of mural on the side of the building. I think that would look nice. And by the way, get those residents across the street involved in choosing what to paint, since they will have to look at it the most.
I would also like to know when the Boro of Pottstown is going to take notice and go down and see what Phoenixville is doing. I was there last Saturday for bike day, and the area was crowded. They had it during the day when the stores were open. There must have been 200 to 300 bikes there. My wife and I had a great time.
If you think that Pottstown is a town full of beggars…you will attract and materialize that in your thought process (and apparently you already have, since that is your belief). And there’s nothing wrong with that belief – it’s yours. I certainly don’t agree with that…but that’s your belief and you can have it for your very own.
I prefer to think that Pottstown is on the upswing – and that we will attract people who will bring pride and change to our town – and that’s already happening now. We have a perfect opportunity in creating a vision for Pottstown through the development of our riverfront.
There are other developers with wide-ranging vision that would better suit Pottstown and its residents.
I personally would like to see a BBQ festival where cars are lined all through our streets and people come from all around to enjoy the festivities and sample some of the best BBQ on the east coast. That would be really cool. Where are there BBQ festivals around here? None that I know of. Most are down south. But I see a lot of mobile BBQ trailers (like Tex who frequents the Limerick area).
You could have a festival recognized by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (www.kcbs.us) and you would attract the best of the best.
I’d like to quote a previous response…
“I would also like to know when the Boro of Pottstown is going to take notice and go down and see what Phoenixville is doing.”
For the past few weekends I’ve been walking down High Street to see the progress of the Pottstown revitalization
Here’s what I see…
I see commercial property for rent, closed signs (very few places are open after 6pm – even on the weekend), stores going out of business, tons of parking (no people), and a lot of raw potential.
After my walk I usually end up at the Brick House, the only source for night life in Pottstown. I look around the restaurant and say to myself, “Why can’t Pottstown have more places like this?”, “Why can’t Pottstown be more like Phoenixville?”
It wouldn’t be that hard! All we need is a few more places like the Brick House. Pottstown needs to establish a night life to bring more people to our community (proof that this works… Phoenixville). If you insert some businesses that people will frequent – more businesses, tax dollars, and jobs will follow. It’s time to start issuing more liquor and restraunt licenses!
Right now I’m saying, “Why can’t Pottstown be more like Phoenixville?” Things need to change now before I start asking myself, “Why does Pottstown have to be so much like Chester?”
PS – I love the ideas for the water front. Hopefully I’ll see them come to true in my life time.
I agree with WhirledPeas, east1ender and BBQ Bill – there’s a new attitude and it’s really just getting warmed up.
kevins: point taken about the scale of the examples. The cities and their waterfronts are much bigger and so have more opportunities for really grand schemes.
Check out Paducah, KY: http://www.ci.paducah.ky.us/paducah/ They have been the poster child for arts/economic revitalization for small to mid-sized downtowns. Here’s their Lower Town Artist Program: http://paducahky.gov/paducah/lowertown-artist-program
Following up on that success, they have moved on to redeveloping their riverfront. A plan was approved in 2007, but I’m not sure of its status – whether it was a casualty of the 2008 downturn. Regardless, it can be really helpful to read through other towns’ plans, figure out the similarities or differences with Pottstown, see how they proposed to finance it, what roles were played by various non-profits, government & private sector partners. Can’t hurt to be well-versed in the possibilities.
I haven’t read through all this…it’s a lot of homework.
East1ender’s point about the flood plain is a good one. Before we go off in all directions on the riverfront, we should have an idea of the constraints: flood plain, wetlands, railroad tracks, streambanks, erosion, runoff, water quality, stormwater management. You’ll want these groups on your team: County Parks & Heritage, PA Dept. of Conservation and Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the folks from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.
Check out this conference being held in Pottstown on Thurs. Sept. 23 by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. It’s called “Building a Business Vision for Trail Town Communities.” I’m going to try to go to that.
(I don’t think this site likes all the links I tried to use, so I’m going to post this with links over at my blog. Thanks.)
Sue
Positively!Pottstown
Former mayor Barry Robertson used to say something like this: Pottstown needs to stop thinking like the town that it is and start thinking like the town IT WANTS TO BE. That’s not a direct quote. But I always liked the point. It echoes what several previous posters have been saying. And I believe it is essential to any renaissance in this town.
I’ve been mulling over thoughts about how to develop the waterfront area. Here’s a “pie-in-the-sky” idea….
Continue the River Front Park much as it is but make the finished surface wider. Build attractive yet inexpensive structures along the non-waterfront side of the path. I’m thinking these could be almost seasonal-use in design. Sort of like glorified pavilions. They would be pretty inexpensive to build and maintain. If the Borough retained ownership, it could lease these out on either long-term or very short-term bases. If there was an Arts Festival, for example, downtown businesses like Gallery on High and TriPAC might lease one for the weekend to showcase their offerings or sell items. Maybe some individual artists and craftsman would lease them, too, to sell and showcase their work.
Restaurants or caterers might lease them. If they did well enough in a special even weekend, they might decide to lease one on a seasonal or even semi-permanent basis. Maybe a new small business would want to lease one for an entire year – or spring through fall – to sell coffee or water ice or lunches. Any business looking for a long-term lease would be responsible for leasehold improvements that would transfer to the Borough.
If we started out with inexpensive, seasonal sorts of structures (maybe even the kind with a half-wall that flips up to become a service window), we would have the opportunity to grow and improve as traffic picks up and more businesses want the opportunity to establish themselves for longer terms. At first, it might be used mainly for special events. But if you string enough special events together, eventually you have a permanent attraction.
These would need just basic electrical service, maybe some would have water and others not.
The borough might need a committee or board to handle the leases. Eventually, these things could become profitable. In the short term, there should be grants and funds available. Again…. this would not be a terribly expensive undertaking. There may even be modular structures that would adapt well to such a use.
Just throwing this up against the wall to see if anything sticks.
Keep up the good work, Save Pottstown!! Keep those ideas flowing, folks!
I love all the dialogue about a revitalized Pottstown – and I certainly agree it begins with arts and entertainment. I need to better understand what happens first 1) festivals and cultural events or 2) anchor businesses that attract year round commerce.(?) We have festivals and cultural events, we don’t have enough foot traffic of people willing and able to spend money often enough to make an impact. The Brick House is pretty busy – at least when I’m there, we could use 5 more of something like it – maybe with contrasting cuisine or themes.
I believe the potential lies in an anchor investment such as a stadium for minor league baseball (maybe, maybe not), a water front hotel (full service not a motor inn) that will attract Hill School families, weddings and business events. Once you get the people here, you can have all the festivals you want – you’ve got to create a “constant”. To me festivals are the icing on the cake – but we still need the cake, so to speak.
We’ve got volleyball, RiverFest, Christmas Fridays, First Saturdays, Car Shows and so on. Once the event is over, there is nothing to bring them back until the next “event”
The lack of a Hanover St exit from 422 east (coming from Berks Co) is inconvenient, but it’s not a deal breaker. The poor condition of the Kiem St bridge is an issue, but not a deal breaker.
I can’t get past the notion that a full service hotel is the way to go.
I do recall Terry Lampe mentioning that she was in contact with hotel people but that was a few years ago and I have no idea what level of interest they had.
One last thing, not to be a party pooper, BUT does anyone really, really think a Carousel will attract people to Pottstown? I’ve been to Holyoke (my wife is from Western Mass) and their Carousel is not providing for or helping to generate any kind of economic development – based on my conversations with the operators of the carousel in Holyoke, MA. I wish the parties working to build Pottstown Carousel Godspeed and good luck, but I’d be a little upset to see that project pull resources away from ideas that could anchor Pottstown’s downtown as a destination.
WAYFTP: I also like the idea of seasonal activities that are inexpensive to start up. They would have to be enough of a draw so that outsiders came, had a great experience and began to realize that Pottstown does have something to offer. There’d have to be more to do downtown, so they can chill there before or after their outdoor activities.
Also, maybe some of those activities can get underway while a bigger effort is undertaken for a grander master plan.I think you just don’t want to lose the momentum for planning something bigger, if it’s at all possible.
I think I read at the Hartford, CT link that there are no restaurants, hotels or condos right on Hartford’s waterfront because of seasonal flooding issues. Anything that goes near the water has to be able to survive Mother Nature.
lotosowner: I’m not familiar with the economic analysis done by hotels to decide where to locate. I know that when Trenton finally got a Marriott after many years of having zero hotels – and this is the state capital! – part of the rationale was that it would be suitable for conventions as well as for business & leisure travelers, weddings, proms, etc. I just don’t know if Pottstown needs to re-set itself first, by that I mean get the downtown functioning at a higher level.
Lately, I’ve been envisioning Pottstown as a bed-and-breakfast town. There are so many buildings that would work well with this use. I’ve been wondering if there’s an entrepreneur who could work with The Hill to own, lease, and/or manage multiple B & B’s. They could have a reliable stream of Hill parents during move-in weekends, graduation, parents’ weekend and other events that bring families to campus. Then the arts community needs to be doing its thing to attract overnight visitors to sustain those B & B’s in between Hill events.
I agree with your observations about the cultural events & anchors. IMO there are significant impediments to downtown revitalization that need to be mowed down. I’ve been dragging my feet on that blog post… And there’s a new Main Street manager who has a lot of positive energy and ideas, so now’s the time to make it happen.
Agreed, Pottstown has been stuck in what can only be described as a major identity crisis! Out-of-the-box brainstorming – just like this – is exactly what needs to happen to help our town “SNAP OUT OF IT!”
So, in the spirit of that, I’ll jump in ….
I like the “Rent-a-Riverfront” concept. If the riverfront would be set-up as WAYFTP suggested, Pottstown could position the waterfront as a “River of Festivals” by renting the space out to different groups. It could be utilize for arts and cultural festivals, there could be craft festivals, community heritage festivals, Lazy Days of Summer Festival with tubing down the river, 4th of July festivals, “peddle and paddle” festivals (tie that into the Sojourn), music on the river festivals, Four-legged Friends Festival, Food Festivals, New Years Day Festival (as long as the structures have electricity for portable heaters), and how about a Pie Tasting Festival in honor of Mrs. Smiths Pies…the list is literally endless. Some of these events are already around, and with some well thought-out planning they could be partnered with a “Rent-a-Riverfront” idea and Pottstown could be a destination spot for festivals. People seem to enjoy coming into Pottstown for our festivities, why not turn that into a profit?
And since the sky is the limit here, how about during the spring and fall months the riverfront becomes a local outdoors farmer’s market one weekend/month, with the same riverside structures being rented for that. Some structures could include outside eating areas – sort of a riverside cafe, if you will. Then one weekend/month it could transform into a festival of lights along the riverfront with beer/wine gardens and music, and food vendors.
Sounds like a river that my family and I would enjoy spending a lot of time, for sure!
The Borough needs to get out of its own way where downtown revitalization is concerned. It is a virtual nightmare to go through their “process” in the Historic areas when exterior work is needed.
First, they have entrusted the HARB Board to use their good judgment on architectural issues so why the hell does their decision have to get “ratified” by Council? That sets a project back by 2 weeks. Then there is a time lag from when Council approves the request and when an owner actually receives the “Certificate of Appropriatness”, followed by yet another lag of indeterminate time, awaiting Codes to make contact and issue the permit. It is a ball and chain and it is a big reason investors run. It is also the reason that some landlords refuse to update and repair their rentals. This process has to change for the better.
“Boutique Hotels” are all the rage! Tear the Days Inn down and put an artsy one at that end of High St. to serve MontCo. and use one of the fine old commercial buildings at the other end of High for Hill School, Hospital, etc. Bring on the Arts and we’re on our way!!
Loto’s needs to be a micro-brewery too.
I agree that a major, full-service hotel would be great…. But I think in this case we can agree on which comes first, the chicken or the egg…. Unfortunately, I don’t see a major hotel construction project until there is a well demonstrated need.
Amy – You get it completely! I even think there could be one day a week when it’s a farmer’s market and one day when it’s an antique alley or flea market. These could be on week days, leaving the structures open for “rent a riverfront” on weekends. Tuesday could be Pottstown’s “Market Day,” when you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, specialty items, baked goods, whatever, in a quaint atmosphere on the water. If the train came into the station, imagine the possibilities!
I’m sure there are lots of other ideas – and undoubtedly some better ones – but I think the idea of seasonal stands that can be upgraded and improved to eventual permanent structures might be a place to start.
I’m really biting my tongue here… But wasn’t that whole HARB thing another of TH’s big ideas? Didn’t that arise from the “restore 3 houses on a block” and the rest will take care of itself concept? Or was it an offshoot of the “create a historic district” and yuppies who want to restore homes will beat a path to your town plan?
It just seems like so much else in this town…. the people who play by the rules are made to jump through hoop after hoop after hoop while the people who refuse to comply get a free pass to do whatever they please. It’s unfortunate. Either apply the rules to everyone or get rid of them.
I’m not a hotel ‘expert’ but looking at the area of western Montco and North Chester and eastern Berks, there’s nothing. To a large degree, I think if you build it they will come. To my knowledge, the closest full service hotel is the Marriott in Conshy. Newer hotels have been built along 422 but they’re the cheaper “suites” hotels. I’m talking about having a space for meetings -( for example drug companies have quarterly meetings at hotels and there are literally 100 sales districts in our area) of 10-12 reps and a manager that could use a Pottstown location. It’s convenient for Phila and could attract Harrisburg reps. I’m familiar with how these companies work and they are getting tired of Plymouth Meeting and Conshy or going into Philly.
The flood plane isn’t as big a deal as you might think. Conshy has 4 upscale apartment buildings, office buildings, a Marriott Residence Inn all along Washington Street, right along the flood plane. O’Neill and Pulver built these and they continue to function and resist damage by flooding and hurricanes – I think I mentioned before, parking is beneath the structure and the lobby and living space begins at 15-20 feet (or so) up from the ground.
The key is to get people to stick for a period of time – it’s good to have them stop by for an afternoon, but they don’t stay and spend money
Love to talk more but got to go.
PS. Whirled Peas, “Lotos as a micro brew”…. from your lips to God’s ear
I agree, the flood plane thing shouldn’t hold the town back on this. Anyway, I think it’s a 100 year flood plane – we had our flood for that time period already. It should be safe for another 95 years or so (fingers crossed).
Much of Southern Louisiana sits below the water table. There, the homes and businesses that are most vulnerable, are built on pylons. There are alot of creative and attractive solutions to building where flooding may be an issue. Conscientious design, engineering and construction will eliminate potential problems.
Not to rain on anyone’s parade but right now a hotel is out of the question. At the present time waterfront project right is feasible but still a stretch.
We need to work on High street and the downtown area first. If you want landlords to start cleaning up their properties then you have to make Pottstown into an area that people want to visit, live, and pay higher dollar rent.
I love the creative thinking going on here… I’m excited to see these ideas come to life. But we need to fix High St. We need new businesses, restraunts, and BARS. Until that happens downtown will continue to struggle and no one will want to visit or live in our town.
Oh and a carousel is a terrible idea… although it’d be nice… it’s not going to save pottstown and I’d rather see our money invested elsewhere.
sgaffnety, you are right. BUT the proposition of low-income senior housing is being laid before the Borough NOW. This is not a discussion that materialized out of thin air, kinda like the senior housing project did..*wink*wink.
It is a foregone conclusion that downtown is a priority. But the discussion of the possibilities for the riverfront will, hopefully, spawn new ways of thinking about our downtown and the entire Borough for that matter. If, by sharing ideas and vision, we can discover common ground with our town leaders, and each other perhaps we can facilitate enough creative moment to benefit downtown in the very near future.
I have say, I agree with lotos owner, and you about the Carousel. The carousel will not be our salvation. We can only anticipate the best possible outcome because no matter what we think about the project it is going to be part of our community. And it would be really lovely if it didn’t have to take another 15 years to accomplish too, it is a real eye sore.
I don’t think we will be able to “fix” High St first. That is conventional thinking. Let’s do something different besides conventional thinking. Develop the riverfront area first. Make it all upscale shops, dining, living spaces. When I say upscale, I mean that the people living there would be above the median family income for Montgomery County (say $65,000 and up). Make that area a destination. Kind of like New Hope. I think the Borough out to be the catalyst, either by creation of a land bank or develop the area themselves. Why not? The old thinking doesn’t work, nor does Pottstown being the destination for low income people work either. That is a dead end. You see the results already. Look at the shooting gallery on the 300 block of Walnut St. Those folks won’t shop High St either if you waste more effort on that.
These things can be done in tandem – ie waterfront and High St.
There are different parties involved but the only constant missing (imho) has been the constant oversight by people with vision.
You can move to condemn railroad tracks while you help grow new businesses on High St – by gov’t helping to grow business, other than tax relief, they mostly have to stay out of the way.
When are the powers that be going to follow the ULI recommendations and get an economic development director? The salary being covered by “PAID” as I had heard was taking place? They have a few hundred thousand they’re sitting on – so I hear.
Additionally, where are the other Partners that helped sponsor the ULI and made it happen? The only two partners that are ever mentioned are the Borough and the School District. It would be a tremendous oversight to neglect the Hill School, the hospital, Health and Wellness, and all of the other partners. These folks necessarily should be involved in the process of choosing the PAID director. They should be kept in the loop at all times. And every step of the way the Borough must ENLIGHTEN AND INFORM THE RESIDENTS, allowing for community input.
If there were one singular BEST MOVE the Borough and School District could make right now it would be to generate enthusiasm and optimism around the ULI director search AND make the community feel welcome in this process. Please don’t miss this opportunity to create goodwill for your efforts and a sense that this is by the people, for the people and of the people.
Hey….with the extra $40,000 that the Borough is going to generate from the new meter maids why don’t they consider hiring a PUBLIC RELATIONS person. Someone who is a people person with an infectious smile that can create enthusiasm and anticipation. This person would handle the press and marketing of new ideas and can help create a “come hither” website. They could provide opportunities for other performers to practice their art on the streets, mimes, clowns, comedians…yes I confess, it was Anonymous Me who suggested “Meter Maid Clowns” but…but…I plead my case POTTSTOWN NEEDS A REASON TO LAUGH AND MAKE FUN OF OURSELVES. Humor and goofiness could be a calling card for Pottstown too.
A starving performance artist perhaps?
Speaking of extra money – how much would the water treatment and water supply system be worth if PA American or Aqua bought them? And they would have the capitalization to carry out the necessary system upgrades.
That would be millions in cash !!
Oh by the way, looks like Norfolk Southern has plans for the rail spur along Industrial Blvd so any meaningful commercial development between Hanover and Kiem apperas dead…..
I’m not sure, but I think that a part of this spur would service the treatment plant that was discussed at boro council meeting in Aug.
My understanding is that the Boro Authority has millions of dollars in debt so any funds gained by selling the system would go to retire that debt.