tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post6004956477271692231..comments2024-03-28T03:23:42.275-04:00Comments on Digital Notebook: This is Why We Can't Have Nice ThingsEvan Brandthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00978107579447279224noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-69483430973453982382014-05-12T09:12:04.020-04:002014-05-12T09:12:04.020-04:00The company I just mentioned, Video Ray, has more ...The company I just mentioned, Video Ray, has more than 30 employees.<br /><br />Ground was just broken at Haggerty Steel in the Circle of Progress, where a craft distillery is also getting up and running. <br /><br />I agree with you, jobs are key. All I'm saying is that attracting people with money usually means people who aren't coming for jobs, but something else.<br /><br />And they would come to Pottstown over Glbertsville or Boyertown IF we market those old houses as an attraction. Those other towns are not doing that.<br /><br />I have long said some Realtor could make a very good living becoming a specialist in old houses, going to old home shows, advertising as such and Pottstown would be a bonanza for someone who knew how to tap into that market.<br /><br />These homes are unique and irreplaceable, but they need TLC and can be expensive to maintain. That means two things, someone who can both appreciate them for their craftsmanship, and who has the skill, desire and money to maintain them. <br /><br />All I'm saying is lets go find those people. They're out there.<br />Evan Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00978107579447279224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-55910065188967347642014-05-12T08:52:43.765-04:002014-05-12T08:52:43.765-04:00Pottstown does have old houses. I will just add t...Pottstown does have old houses. I will just add that Boyertown, Gilbertsville, Phoenixville all have old houses so why would someone chose Pottstown over those places if they do not have ties to the Pottstown community? Pottstown would need to offer something and the best way to tie someone to a community is their job. Pottstown doesn't need a homerun like a Mrs Smith or Firestone. They need a lot of singles - like hiring 30-50 employees. I am naïve of any companies that have opened in Pottstown in the last 5 years who employ 30-50 employees. Are there any?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-69275468946549384082014-05-12T08:42:23.557-04:002014-05-12T08:42:23.557-04:00I have never done such a study, no, although I agr...I have never done such a study, no, although I agree with your premise.<br /><br />I do think Pottstown has an asset that can attract a certain sub-set of people with money, those who love old houses.<br /><br />If any of you follow The Mercury's Instagram account, you know I have been walking around town taking photos of the town's remarkable and often ignored architecture.<br /><br />Not everyone is a fan, but those who are should be marketed to. <br /><br />Also, I agree with you that Pottstown schools reputation is bad, but I consider that reputation undeserved.<br /><br />I send my son to schools here. Are there things about it I don't like? Sure. But I challenge you to find a parent who likes everything about their child's school district.<br /><br />The school district's reputation is a result of 50 percent of its student body rotating every year. I've seen test results that indicate that students the district has from the beginning of their education score comparably on state tests to those in OJR of Spring-Ford. There are just not enough of them.<br /><br />I know this explanation will not change a larger reputation built on test scores, but here on the Internet, its best to provide it nonetheless.<br /><br />I also agree that while government can provide some jobs -- military, large agency jobs -- that it functions best when it provides a fertile environment for private investment.<br /><br />And while its not hard to poke holes at things like the Colebrookdale train and the carousel (full-disclosure, I've done work for the carousel), remember that our latest economic coup, Video Ray, discovered Pottstown because of Steel River Playhouse.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm delighted to see so many thoughtful comments being posted. Please keep them coming.Evan Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00978107579447279224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-60755734427758472132014-05-12T08:20:32.223-04:002014-05-12T08:20:32.223-04:00Government can provide opportunities for industry ...Government can provide opportunities for industry to choose Pottstown. Short term tax breaks, recruitment, etc. This has not been accomplished. There is no reason for anyone with money to choose Pottstown if it wasn't for a job, School system is rated low, taxes are high, negative comments abound about the town on the internet. The train would be great but that idea probably has a lower chance of success then a few mid size manufacturing companies providing jobs. Evan have you ever done a tax comparison showing the housing value one could get in Boyertown or Limerick, etc for the same millage rate that Pottstown has? Example : A home accessed in Pottstown for $100,000 would pay the same taxes for a home accessed for $225,000 in Boyertown. The issue is also the $100,000 accessed home in Pottstown could only be sold for $70,000 on the current open real estate market because there are few buyers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-27814670161310004252014-05-12T07:42:41.954-04:002014-05-12T07:42:41.954-04:00Jobs in Pottstown will not come back. The only rea...Jobs in Pottstown will not come back. The only reason that people need to live in Pottstown is to send their kids to school. Having said that, the town needs to attract people with money. Then Pottstown needs to provide a place for them to spend it. Government can't create jobs. Now, if their was a train station where people can commute to the higher paying jobs, and live in Pottstown because of their quality schools, then you would have something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-29015256585140114372014-05-11T19:27:25.244-04:002014-05-11T19:27:25.244-04:00I agree, that jobs paying a living wage are the si...I agree, that jobs paying a living wage are the single most important thing this town needs. In fact, I have a post I wrote before this one, which I have pushed off until next Sunday which devevs into that subject.<br /><br />Thanks for commentingEvan Brandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00978107579447279224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-75691218517706513942014-05-11T14:51:51.088-04:002014-05-11T14:51:51.088-04:00Number 1 - we need jobs. We don't need a caro...Number 1 - we need jobs. We don't need a carousel, miniature golf, arts, fancy bars, etc. 80% of the effort of everyone that wants to make Pottstown a better place needs to focus on industry which will bring jobs. Jobs create money. Money buys houses SO rentals decrease. With home ownership comes home prices rising, With home prices rising comes a middle class household. A middle class household will demand bars, arts, miniature golf. Am I the only person in this town that realizes that the town is trying to make improvements in the wrong order? They are trying to paint the house before the walls are up.<br /><br />Every time a home is foreclosed in Pottstown and the bank sells it to an investor the entire blocks home value decreases. This means unless you have owned for a long time you can't sell. This means the HOMEOWNER not investor will have little chance of getting a mortgage because the home won't appraise for the value. This means that the only people buying downtown homes are investors for cash. This trend has NO chance of changing until jobs come to Pottstown<br /><br />The reality is not many if anyone in Pottstown who is not a real estate professional understands this. If they did they would focus only on jobs which in turn would help housing. Instead we talk about arts and cafes. How long have all of you been focusing on the arts, cafes and fancy bars? many years. How has the condition of the town improved in those years? Point made. Force your leaders to narrow their focus on 1 item. JOBS!! <br /><br />Every week another home goes from a homeowner to investor. Your home value declines more and this is not on the discussion board for Council or anyone else at Borough Hall. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7385359808043148998.post-59398042552197504152014-05-11T12:49:56.265-04:002014-05-11T12:49:56.265-04:00Phoenixville is successful in bringing people with...Phoenixville is successful in bringing people with money to their town to spend it. Why can't Pottstown use that as a model? If Steel River was flanked by a couple upscale bars, that would attract people with money to spend. You know how I know this? Because I go to events in Phoenixville (The Firebird Festival, The Sly Fox Goat Races, The Dogwood Festival, The Zombie Run) and then I go to their local places and spend money. They have decent fun places to spend my money. I'm sorry, but a car show and a couple places that sell consigned goods on high street isn't going to attract anyone. Pottstown needs fun "cool" events and then places that will entice people with money to stick around and take a walk and spend some of their money after the event. I'm very sad that the plans for a music venue in Pottstown failed. I believe a place like that would have been a step in the right direction as far as bringing those with money to spend to our town to spend it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17960038762018060099noreply@blogger.com