Bethlehem, PA
Ok, I have to admit something right off. Despite the few hundred interviews I have done in over the past 3 years, I was very nervous for some reason. Even though I prepared for this one instead of the usual improvisation, I still blanked when entering the room. It almost felt like studying hard for test and then forgetting everything when you look at the paper. This his had nothing to do with Mayor Donchez. He was very polite, friendly and patient. I want to thank Mayor Robert Donchez and his staff for their time.
Quick Intro
Editor's Note: Honestly, in all the people I have interviewed, I was seriously nervous. I have no idea why. When I walked into the conference room, I blanked. Like when you studied for the important test. Looked at the questions and could not remember anything. So much for keeping my cool and being professional! The interview is unedited and straight through
Not just buildings, but people...
Part 1 covered the festival and student side of the city's economy. Also, how tourism plays an important role. Time for the other side of Bethlehem.
"Between the festivals and students, that is pretty much a large part of the economy of Bethlehem. But, I have also noticed, Bethlehem is starting to attract jobs in the areas of manufacturing on 412 going to Hellertown. I believe there is an art school going up on the South Side?
Mayor Donchez: You are right. On the south side, we do have a charter school that will be opening in September. They will house 500 students.
Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7, which is the old Bethlehem Steel property, one of the largest at 1200 acres. There is a company coming in from New Jersey, in manufacturing. Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7 is a combination of some big box stores, manufacturing, some hi-tech. It is a very balanced project for the city and for the Lehigh Valley.
Important note: At this point, I completely blanked and informed Mayor Donchez I was very nervous.
"I live in Allentown. That city is getting all the credit for everything happening. I did an article calling Bethlehem 'The Sleeping Dragon'. I am in Bethlehem a lot covering events. If you live here (Lehigh Valley in General), things kind of get old old and stagnant. It seems like Bethlehem, with the industrial park and other things, is a part of the re-birth of the entire Lehigh Valley. Is that correct?"
Mayor Donchez: When we lost Bethlehem Steel, we lost 25% of our tax base. We lost close to 25.000 jobs. One of the reasons we have been able to come back over the last 10 years, we have a diversified economy in the city. We are very fortunate to have 2 (with emphasis) industrial parks in the city, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park 1 and #7.
Allentown has the NIZ (Neighborhood Improvement Zone), that is a very lucrative project for the city. We (Bethlehem) have something called the CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone), along with Lancaster. There are tax incentives for businesses to locate in the city. Nowhere near as lucrative as Allentown's NIZ.
We have the Social Still that opened up on 3rd St. a few months ago. We have the 2nd CRIZ project that will break ground right next to the Social Still. There are projects in the developmental stage, more on the south side. I think you are going to see a re-birth there over the next couple of years.
"I have taken notice, one of the main attractions (on the south side of Bethlehem), except for January and Musikfest, is First Friday. That, pretty much, died off for a while after Home and Planet (local business on 3rd st.) left. I walked up and down 3rd st. this month (March) and even that (First Friday) is undergoing a re-birth. I saw a list of at least 10 businesses, Northampton County Community College even had something happening. With all this (Industrial Part #7 / new additions to the south side / CRIZ projects and more), would you say Bethlehem is going through a re-birth and almost finding a new identity?
Mayor Donchez: I don't know about another identity. We started on our re-birth 10 years ago. With the development of the Beth Works site. Beginning with the Banana Factory, then Steelstacks, PBS 39, Levitt Pavilion, the community college (Northampton's Bethlehem south side campus). The development of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7.
We are seeing a lot of development in the city. It is spread out throughout the city; which is exactly what we wanted. It is a very diversified economy. Like you said before, some hi-tech, manufacturing, retail, big box companies including Zulily and Walmart both e-commerce. We are very fortunate to attract big businesses into the city.
"One last thing I want to congratulate you on. This is pretty much how the magazine started as a blog, covering the local music. Congratulations, not only through ArtsQuest but also all the festivals, showing support for what the Lehigh Valley has always been known for: the local music scene. For example, Tunes at Twilight (Sun Inn Courtyard), what used to be in Allentown, Bethlehem has taken over the music scene. Congratulations to you and the city on supporting what used to be and still is an important part of the Lehigh Valley.
Mayor Donchez: First of all, thank you. Second, I agree with you. It is important. We like to have diversity: arts, entertainment, culture. Music is very important for your quality of life. It attracts a lot of young people and people of all ages to move in and locate in Bethlehem.
"Thank you very much for your time!" At this point, I have to add one thing. This is a serious credit to Mayor Donchez.
Mayor Donchez: You had those questions memorized pretty good! (We are smiling and laughing a little).
"Believe it or not, I went with my usual style: I improvised.
Mayor Donchez: You did a good job.
"Thank you very much."
If you have read / checked out other articles, I have to leave it on a cliff hanger! Do not worry, part 2 and 3 will keep you interested. I am also an author, natural reflex!
"Between the festivals and students, that is pretty much a large part of the economy of Bethlehem. But, I have also noticed, Bethlehem is starting to attract jobs in the areas of manufacturing on 412 going to Hellertown. I believe there is an art school going up on the South Side?
Mayor Donchez: You are right. On the south side, we do have a charter school that will be opening in September. They will house 500 students.
Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7, which is the old Bethlehem Steel property, one of the largest at 1200 acres. There is a company coming in from New Jersey, in manufacturing. Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7 is a combination of some big box stores, manufacturing, some hi-tech. It is a very balanced project for the city and for the Lehigh Valley.
Important note: At this point, I completely blanked and informed Mayor Donchez I was very nervous.
"I live in Allentown. That city is getting all the credit for everything happening. I did an article calling Bethlehem 'The Sleeping Dragon'. I am in Bethlehem a lot covering events. If you live here (Lehigh Valley in General), things kind of get old old and stagnant. It seems like Bethlehem, with the industrial park and other things, is a part of the re-birth of the entire Lehigh Valley. Is that correct?"
Mayor Donchez: When we lost Bethlehem Steel, we lost 25% of our tax base. We lost close to 25.000 jobs. One of the reasons we have been able to come back over the last 10 years, we have a diversified economy in the city. We are very fortunate to have 2 (with emphasis) industrial parks in the city, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park 1 and #7.
Allentown has the NIZ (Neighborhood Improvement Zone), that is a very lucrative project for the city. We (Bethlehem) have something called the CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone), along with Lancaster. There are tax incentives for businesses to locate in the city. Nowhere near as lucrative as Allentown's NIZ.
We have the Social Still that opened up on 3rd St. a few months ago. We have the 2nd CRIZ project that will break ground right next to the Social Still. There are projects in the developmental stage, more on the south side. I think you are going to see a re-birth there over the next couple of years.
"I have taken notice, one of the main attractions (on the south side of Bethlehem), except for January and Musikfest, is First Friday. That, pretty much, died off for a while after Home and Planet (local business on 3rd st.) left. I walked up and down 3rd st. this month (March) and even that (First Friday) is undergoing a re-birth. I saw a list of at least 10 businesses, Northampton County Community College even had something happening. With all this (Industrial Part #7 / new additions to the south side / CRIZ projects and more), would you say Bethlehem is going through a re-birth and almost finding a new identity?
Mayor Donchez: I don't know about another identity. We started on our re-birth 10 years ago. With the development of the Beth Works site. Beginning with the Banana Factory, then Steelstacks, PBS 39, Levitt Pavilion, the community college (Northampton's Bethlehem south side campus). The development of Lehigh Valley Industrial Park #7.
We are seeing a lot of development in the city. It is spread out throughout the city; which is exactly what we wanted. It is a very diversified economy. Like you said before, some hi-tech, manufacturing, retail, big box companies including Zulily and Walmart both e-commerce. We are very fortunate to attract big businesses into the city.
"One last thing I want to congratulate you on. This is pretty much how the magazine started as a blog, covering the local music. Congratulations, not only through ArtsQuest but also all the festivals, showing support for what the Lehigh Valley has always been known for: the local music scene. For example, Tunes at Twilight (Sun Inn Courtyard), what used to be in Allentown, Bethlehem has taken over the music scene. Congratulations to you and the city on supporting what used to be and still is an important part of the Lehigh Valley.
Mayor Donchez: First of all, thank you. Second, I agree with you. It is important. We like to have diversity: arts, entertainment, culture. Music is very important for your quality of life. It attracts a lot of young people and people of all ages to move in and locate in Bethlehem.
"Thank you very much for your time!" At this point, I have to add one thing. This is a serious credit to Mayor Donchez.
Mayor Donchez: You had those questions memorized pretty good! (We are smiling and laughing a little).
"Believe it or not, I went with my usual style: I improvised.
Mayor Donchez: You did a good job.
"Thank you very much."
If you have read / checked out other articles, I have to leave it on a cliff hanger! Do not worry, part 2 and 3 will keep you interested. I am also an author, natural reflex!
