Article in the Intelligencer Journal New Era article “Lancaster is one of two cities tapped by Pa. for new CRIZ economic development program” reports
“Lancaster’s application, submitted late last month, promised the program could stimulate $210 million in new investment during its first phase…
“One would renovate all 225 rooms of the former Brunswick Hotel, now called Hotel Lancaster. Meeder reopened 66 rooms in October.
That project is expected to cost $15.8 million.
“The second project is the creation of an entertainment center, with a boutique bowling alley, bocce courts and a theater adjacent to the hotel along Lancaster Square.”
Instead of razing the former Brunswick, the Brunswick Annex and the defunct Bulova Building and attracting private development of residential condominiums, Mayor Gray and City Planner Randy Patterson are recycling three structures for uses of dubious economic merit.
$15.8 million in renovation of what is now the Lancaster Hotel will place it in direct competition with the Marriott Hotel. Is there a market to support both? If the Marriott loses money, expect lessee Penn Square Partners to return the hotel to the City of Lancaster who owns it. Let’s see how much Gray and Patterson know about running a three star hotel!
The proposed entertainment center is an untested concept. Instead of using the site for its highest value, the former windowless Hess Department Store and later Bulova munitions plant (which threatened to blow up much of the downtown) is to be recycled into a likely third failure.
Talk about putting lipstick on a pig!
What type of feasibility study can Gray and Patterson show to justify either of these investments? We would wager none at all.
And why couldn’t the CRIZ funds be used for site acquisition and development of condos by private interests? Oh, that wouldn’t create a money trough for local interests.
In other words grab the money, divvy it up among special interests, and future generations be damned. They will be saddled with paying it back if there are no offsetting tax revenues.
Sounds like the Convention Center Project on steroids
Disaster. Nothing but a shell game (there is no new money created…where does it come from?) and corporate welfare. Instead of helping what is good in the City, the many small businesses that have started over the last decade with the blood, sweat and tears of their owners, this program implies funnels more of our money to the well connected.
The Brunswick deal is a scam for Meeder, and a stupid one, on the heels of the Marriott, a scam for High.
Good to see revitalization there! Always a shame to see the rest of the city developing around it and that prime space go unused.
I’m in favor of an entertainment venue. Located near Hotel Lancaster and blocks from Marriott, it will be convenient for visitors.
Also, there has been a boom in downtown condos and luxury apartments but there isn’t much in family-friendly entertainment.
I’d like to see more under 21 entertainment. Gotta keep the youths engaged or they’re sure to get pregnant and take to crime!