43 Apartments Planned For Pottstown Furniture Warehouse

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  While we 100 percent support any adaptive reuse projects in Pottstown, we are greatly concerned about the involvement of a low-income housing tax credit.  This project, if done correctly, could be a HUGE shot in the arm to this neighborhood and solidify the borough’s claim to be moving towards becoming an arts designation (which we 110 percent support). 

That being said, private sector investment is needed, not more glorified Section 8 housing.  In our humble opinion, this is the “easy way out”.  It might be harder to find private sector dollars but the payoff is greater.  Other communities are successfully finding investors who are converting old building into MARKET RATE apartments and condominiums.  I am all for affordable housing but any involvement of Section 8/low-income funding taints the project.

Pottstown needs to have a better opinion of itself and not settle for the first offer that falls from the sky.  Section 8 and low-income housing do not raise property values nor do they change people’s minds about Pottstown.  Somebody needs to be courageous and just say no.  Find another way.

POTTSTOWN — The moribund plan to transform the former Fecera’s furniture warehouse on Beech Street into artist loft apartments returned to borough council Wednesday night with new backers and a new twist.

Genesis Housing Inc., the non-profit agency which engineered the development of the former Jefferson School into senior rental housing and has rehabilitated dozens or blighted properties in the first ward into owner-occupied homes, is partnering with a Syracuse non-profit housing agency on a $12 million plan to develop the property into 43 apartments targeted toward artists.

The difference is in addition to securing an historic architecture tax credit for the project, the developers,   HousingVisions, are also seeking a low-income housing tax credit, the same kind sought in 2010 for the controversial Pearl senior housing proposal along Industrial Highway — and that raised a few eyebrows on borough council.

“I’m still not sold,” Borough Council President Stephen Toroney said. “This is the same tax credit that was sought by the Pearl Group and that was for a 55-and-older community and people still came out and protested.”

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130607/NEWS01/130609465/43-apartments-planned-for-pottstown-furniture-warehouse#full_story

Is More Low-Income Housing Trying To Sneak Into Pottstown? Rumor Has It!

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note: This email was sent to us from a concerned Pottstown Borough homeowner.  While we tend not to post speculative things, two people told our writer the same tale of woe regarding this matter.  It would seem plausible with Jason’s departure looming on the horizon and Councilor Rhoads’ resignation, some may think this is a good time for a Trojan Horse maneuver??

A concerned citizen writes:

“Yesterday, it was reported that the Pearl Project, low-income housing for seniors by the river is d.o.a.  But what’s coming in through the back door but yet ANOTHER developer with low-income tax credits to ply and where else but Pottstown?  Rumor has it that a meeting is slated, sometime soon, with the newly departing borough manager, Jason Bobst, to discuss low-income house right next door to the former Pearl site, in the Old Shirt Factory.  BUT HEY, weren’t there plans not so long ago that envisioned this building as upscale, market rate condos?  Wouldn’t that vision align with the ULI recommendation to make “magic” on our riverfront?

While Pottstown struggles with re-defining itself we’ve seen the unexpected resignation of a vital member of council and a maybe not-so-unexpected resignation of our beloved Borough Manager.  Come on people, we are reeling from these set backs now is NOT the time to sit idle while the big tax credit investors now try to enter through the back door with their low-income concepts that are wrong, wrong, wrong on every level for Pottstown.  Jason, if you can leave this community with just one more, vital parting good deed….PLEASE JUST SAY NO.  Give us a fighting chance to re-group and redefine, to seek qualified leadership that supports a better vision for Pottstown.  We know that we have so much more to offer and we ask only for your consideration and kindness.  Please leave us with a legacy of hope and a reason to continue to strive.”