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.”

Pottstown Area Industrial Development (PAID) Meeting, Thursday, April 28th

Image via Wikipedia

If you have followed the transition of the Pottstown Area Industrial Development  (PAID) organization into the borough’s economic development engine then you should attend a public meeting at the Hill School Library, Thursday, April 28th at 6 p.m.  The new board of directors will be introduced.

This is an important vehicle that will hopefully enable Pottstown to speak with a unified voice when presenting economic development goals and strategies.  Having a consensus will help the borough receive grant money for projects.

Jason Bobst, Pottstown Borough Manager, will be the first President of the Board of Directors.  The office of president will rotate every year between the borough, the school district and the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority.

The first year is crucial because the new Executive Director will be hired.  This person will be the point of contact and run the day-to-day operations of PAID.

The ULI recommendations will be used as a blue print for economic development by PAID’s Executive Director and the Board of Directors.