Former Stanley Flagg Site Eyed For Green Development

Developer David Mermelstein owns the site of the former Stanley Flagg company.  David would like to develop 29 acres in POTTSTOWN BOROUGH into a green energy business.  If you read today’s Our View in the Mercury it goes into detail about the business Mr. Mermelstein would like to create in Pottstown. 

If you read my post about the Logan Triangle area of Philadelphia, that site is 35 acres.  The City of York is developing a massive brownfield site which is also 29 acres.  You can read about that on here as well.  This Stanley Flagg proposal represents a HUGE investment and should be taken very seriously!

Pottstown’s Keystone Opportunity Zone has been created for a while now and as far as I know only one business is located there??  The Flagg site is industrial and not close to a lot of residential areas.  David appears willing to make many concessions to ensure this plant will not negatively impact the quality of life here in Pottstown.  This would create jobs and generate revenue for Pottstown Borough.

Mr. Mermelstein said the reception he received was “positive, but not glowing.”  Let us hope this proposal is seriously considered.  If other investors see Pottstown as easy to work with, more investment will be forthcoming into the borough instead of all around it ala Upland Square and Commerce Corner for starters.

This is a golden opportunity to start the ball rolling.  Let’s remove the stone wall as depicted in today’s Mercury cartoon so the development train doesn’t once again skirt Pottstown for a more business-friendly suburb.

Readers’ View In Today’s Mercury

I would like to say three cheers to Tom Carroll for his comments in today’s Mercury.

Tom hit the nail on the head folks.  The petty squabbling has GOT TO STOP.  If Pottstown expects to get grants and aid from state and federal agencies there must be a common vision that is supported by the majority of leaders in this community.  Until that time comes, we ain’t gettin’ squat!  Nobody is going to throw money at a community that can’t agree on anything and constantly fights among itself.

The cartoon was also SPOT ON today.  If Pottstown can’t embrace change and think outside the box, investors will go elsewhere.  More border development.  If we can’t work and play well with others, nobody is going to bother with Pottstown.  Unfortunately, Pottstown has a reputation as being difficult to deal with and not business friendly.  If I have heard that, you bet prospective investors have heard that as well. 

I am not pointing fingers at anyone or any group.  I am simply saying things need to change before we can move forward.  I think that is obvious.