Lehigh Riverport

[RCA97]

mattolli,
Thanks for your detailed response. I had originally posted this topic back in January and since then I have actually moved into Riverport. I found a two bedroom available for rent at a pretty good price and have been here for about two weeks now. Your description is dead on, my place faces the same courtyard and the noise from starters on the weekend is quite loud, but bearable. Anyway, I am a 24 y.o. guy and am trying to meet some people who live in the area since I know absolutely no one. Any advice? I haven't really met anyone in the complex yet but I go to steel fitness frequently and starters occasionally to watch some of the games on satellite.

[PAman]

Be careful with Riverport...It's right on the main line of Norfolk Southern freight, rumors of possible passenger rail service as well, and seeing as there are no wires, it will be diesels...If you love trains, great idea. If you want quiet, try other parts of the southside\fountain hill\north end\west end...

[loose cannon]

Originally Posted by RCA97

mattolli,
Thanks for your detailed response. I had originally posted this topic back in January and since then I have actually moved into Riverport. I found a two bedroom available for rent at a pretty good price and have been here for about two weeks now. Your description is dead on, my place faces the same courtyard and the noise from starters on the weekend is quite loud, but bearable. Anyway, I am a 24 y.o. guy and am trying to meet some people who live in the area since I know absolutely no one. Any advice? I haven't really met anyone in the complex yet but I go to steel fitness frequently and starters occasionally to watch some of the games on satellite.

Im a little older but you can hang with me. And, if you do get homesick I'll call my friend in Mesa (East Valley) who will gladly bring you up to date on things out there.

[milledge44]

Originally Posted by mattolli

I am 26 and I couldn't be happier about investing in Riverport. Once the casion comes to town the area will be breathing the air of a new exconomy. Unlike Atlantic City, Bethlehem is already being taken over by invesorts. Section 8 is being replaced by billion dollar investors like the people who constructed the transformation of Riverport (which used to be an old steel builiding) and pushing out the demographic which happens to be the closest related to high crime. In that statement I do feel some regret at the displacement of the ex-steel workers being in escence bought out, but it really will be whats best for the economy. Case in point would be the revilization of downtown West Palm Beach FL, or even the changes that have started to happen in areas of NYC and even Hobokein NJ (sorry about the spelling there).

I can go on and on, but I am sure that I have already exceeded the amount of time that my two cents is worth. Good luck, and deffinitly look around the area. The economy may seem bad, but the numbers don't lie. I haven't investigated Allentown too extensively, but the Lehigh Valley is turning the corner economically. The area is a distant and safe suburb of Philly and NYC. Small town characteristics, with big city amenities. There are other complexes that are just being constructed that look awesome. But for the location I am still glad that I chose RP.

ok i'm sorry.. but i gotta speak up about something.. you say section 8 is being pushed out by investors.. so my question is what happens to the families that have lived on the south side their entire lives..?

then you said.."In that statement I do feel some regret at the displacement of the ex-steel workers being in escence bought out, but it really will be whats best for the economy"

ok 2 things...the steel workers are what drove the lehigh valley economy for countless numbers of years... and yes i know things must change.. but i think it is a shame that they will be building a casino on the site of the old steel plant... i for one take it as a slap in the face..... you see i lost my father there march 24,1981... and in my opinion i feel like the "big bad casino" is patronizing the city of Bethlehem, you see.. if you want to build a casino fine.. but dont build it to be an homage to the steel.. becouse.. none of those people where even here when the steel was around..

and as the economy... what do you think is gonna happen.. the property taxes are gonna go through the roof..... not to mention the crime... yea.. we may get some money from tourists and such... but honestly.. how is one casino gonna stack up against Atlantic city.. and what they have to offer..??

just my 2 cents
but everything aside.. i'm glad that you are happy with your new place.. i'm not trying to put down your view... i'm just trying to show you my view...

[Matt_PSU]

Wow, sorry to hear about your father. (Mine worked there too and saw his share of incidents.) The trains are loud blocks away, even at my apt across the river... I'm surprised that they aren't an issue right next to the tracks, but that's good to know. We miss the steel too, but the fact is that something, anything, has to replace it. I wish Lehigh U. had expanded, but it didn't. So that leaves projects like this, and also orasure, that billing company, the flyers skate zone, etc. I think the old steel workers were holding out for the impossible, which is a large industrial plant, and that is never ever going to happen. Besides, I don't want an industrial plant 4 blocks from my house anyway!

As for the impact of the casinos- that remains to be seen, honestly. I think it will raise property values on the south side, and yes, it may chase away some section 8 or other apt housing. To be perfectly honest, that's a good thing, not a bad thing. South side currently has that stigma about it that keeps down prices and scares people off. Look at how the property values have gone up in south side Easton after they got rid of the housing project there. As for property taxes, I don't think they'll go up as much as you may think. The tax revenue and higher property values will offset the increases in police presence and I predict crime will stay level.

I'd be more concerned with traffic. There just isn't a good way to get from south side bethlehem to I-78. 412 will be a mess, they almost HAVE to widen it if the casino is successful.

And RCA, I'd hang with you. good luck with the valley.

[mattolli]

Originally Posted by milledge44

ok i'm sorry.. but i gotta speak up about something.. you say section 8 is being pushed out by investors.. so my question is what happens to the families that have lived on the south side their entire lives..?

then you said.."In that statement I do feel some regret at the displacement of the ex-steel workers being in escence bought out, but it really will be whats best for the economy"

ok 2 things...the steel workers are what drove the lehigh valley economy for countless numbers of years... and yes i know things must change.. but i think it is a shame that they will be building a casino on the site of the old steel plant... i for one take it as a slap in the face..... you see i lost my father there march 24,1981... and in my opinion i feel like the "big bad casino" is patronizing the city of Bethlehem, you see.. if you want to build a casino fine.. but dont build it to be an homage to the steel.. becouse.. none of those people where even here when the steel was around..

and as the economy... what do you think is gonna happen.. the property taxes are gonna go through the roof..... not to mention the crime... yea.. we may get some money from tourists and such... but honestly.. how is one casino gonna stack up against Atlantic city.. and what they have to offer..??

just my 2 cents
but everything aside.. i'm glad that you are happy with your new place.. i'm not trying to put down your view... i'm just trying to show you my view...

I 100% share your frustration with the changing of the heritage, but the fact is that the stell industry is rusted. There isnt any possibilty that the old mills will be revived, and the economy has suffered greatly since their closing. While crime hasn't ever really been high, it is considerable higher than other areas in Bethlehem (notable the north side). Section 8 is a very questionable function of the economy and society. When people contemplate moving and investing in south bethlehem the lower income community posses negative influences. While things such as Section 8 continue to support people who are struggling a bit more than normal, it also continues to make it possible for people who arent associated with the evolution of the area to continue to reside here. New jobs are coming, but different jobs. Service based industries are and will continue to be a major part of our future, and the factory working system of our past will be replaced. The demographic that is relying on government assistance and whom are residing in lower income housing will be forced out unfortunately. However, If done properly and with solid security then the casino will provide a big boost for the standard and quality of living in the south side. As is true in any economically depressed area, crime is higher in areas where lower income and government subsidized housing exists, and that is one of the plagues on this side of town right now. While the casino effect is also associated with crime, it also brings with it more shops, hotels, restaraunts, and businesses to accomodate visitors.
You have my condolences in regards to your father. It is a challenging and exciting world out there, and as sad as it may seem we are in need of a stimulus in the local economy. New jobs, updates to the depressed infrastructer, improvements to the housing standards, and opportunity are all things to look forward to. Sorry, I just read your reply one more time and wanted to add a couple more comments here. The spread over crime now and post casino will not be drastic. The people frequenting the casino will be mainly visitors to the area. Property taxes will go up, and push out the lower income. People with higher incomes tend to commit far less crimes. Drug us is more prevelent in depressed regions. A similar situation would be the West Palm Beach area. 15 years ago downtown WPB was a crack and drug infested haven. Investors stepped in, bought out the relatively inexpensive area. The low-income demographic was displaced, and crime has subsequently shifted away from the immediate area. In esscence the crime left with the more troubled demographic. In addition, the police force will see a prolific rise in staffing and funding. We aren't offering Atlantic City. We are offering a safe, middle to upper income location, with big city accomodations, small town feel, and connection with the steel belt past, and we are becoming suburbs for NYC and Philly. If you examine the crime currently on the southside, how evenly disperssed is it amongst the overall community and Lehigh University. The campus is a catocism of Bethlehems future. As standard of living goes up, crime goes down.
I have pride in the heritage of the area and that is why I am so excited about new developments embrassing the past. Riverport, Starters, the Steel Fitness factilities and Ice Rink, and other developments are finding ways to move on but refab the past without loosing its character. I am sure Mr. Adellson will all incorporate the core feel of this strong steel community in the design of the casino.
In no way am I rooting for the upheaval of the city's foundation, but rather just commenting on the inevitable changes that will form the Bethlehem of the future. A Bethlehem which will be far better economically. I would ilke to reitterate that I understand the negatives that this change has on the traditional community. If there was a way to revive the economy in a manner closer related to former ways then I am sure it would be widely accepted. I appologize if my organization is a little choppy, but this post was typed up rather quickly. My intentions would never be to offend anyone, and I apologize if they have in any way.

[mattolli]

Originally Posted by RCA97

mattolli,
Thanks for your detailed response. I had originally posted this topic back in January and since then I have actually moved into Riverport. I found a two bedroom available for rent at a pretty good price and have been here for about two weeks now. Your description is dead on, my place faces the same courtyard and the noise from starters on the weekend is quite loud, but bearable. Anyway, I am a 24 y.o. guy and am trying to meet some people who live in the area since I know absolutely no one. Any advice? I haven't really met anyone in the complex yet but I go to steel fitness frequently and starters occasionally to watch some of the games on satellite.

Yeah, I am usually busy with my pursuit of an advanced degree at the university and work, but you deff have a friend in me buddy. Good to hear you like watching sports as that is always a good common factor amongst my friends. I used to know some guys that got together once a month and played poker in the downstairs common area. I am comming of an operation on my wrist, but I am usually in the gym 5-6 days a week, and Im planning on renewing my membership at SF prolly next month. Good to hear that you like the place, and we'll have to get together and grab a brew sometime.

[milledge44]

just to let you know i do not live in Bethlehem any more.. and too be honest i do not plan on returning .. so honestly i couldn't care less what happens up there..
but you see.. if you push out.. what you guys refer to as "less then desirable people".. so where are they gonna go?
oh thats right.. to the north or west side of Bethlehem...that way they can drive down the home prices in nice neighborhoods , but hey as long as it pushes them away from the new pride(casino, new luxury apartments, etc..) of Bethlehem.. who cares right?




sorry i know that comes off as sarcastic... but i had to make a point...

[RCA97]

Originally Posted by mattolli

Yeah, I am usually busy with my pursuit of an advanced degree at the university and work, but you deff have a friend in me buddy. Good to hear you like watching sports as that is always a good common factor amongst my friends. I used to know some guys that got together once a month and played poker in the downstairs common area. I am comming of an operation on my wrist, but I am usually in the gym 5-6 days a week, and Im planning on renewing my membership at SF prolly next month. Good to hear that you like the place, and we'll have to get together and grab a brew sometime.

That sounds good, I'm a big sports fan and used to play poker frequently as well. I usually go to Steel Fitness on MWF around 5 or 6 in the afternoon. PM me if you have time to meet up somewhere/sometime.