500 block going ahead????? (Gap, Penn: apartments, lofts, lawyer)

[weluvpa]

Looks like the mayor and his favorite Gap girl are going to try and get this started before the trial, HHMMMMM I wonder why the rush? From what I read I guess they know they will not win and just need to do this around them? The lawyer doesn't even know and I really wonder who will get the bid? Anybody have a guess? Lets take a poll and see who will get it.....I'm going with Scartelli!!!!! Low bid my ass.....



Downtown project advances
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
08/30/2007
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A pre-bid conference for work on the much-maligned, $20 million 500 Lackawanna Avenue redevelopment project was attended by several contractors Wednesday.


It was not immediately known how many contractors placed bids to do sidewalk, curb and other work, but the city controller is expected to open sealed bids Sept. 11.

"We said we'd be moving forward, and we are doing just that," Mayor Chris Doherty said. "We said this was going to happen, and it is."
Sure right before the election
After a review of the lowest responsible bidder by city attorneys and the state Department of Transportation, a contractor will be selected and work could begin within days of the decision, officials said.

That work will include installation of utilities, in-filling of basement vaults under sidewalks, adding new curbs and sidewalks, trees, street lighting and other pedestrian amenities along Lackawanna Avenue.

Word that bids are being accepted is considered a major step forward for the project, which was first announced in October 2004, but has stagnated. The city has been embroiled in an eminent domain battle with three property owners on the block who have failed to reach agreements to be included in the project. Yet you are going ahead, well that will look great new then old then new then old......Have to get done fast before the election, the mayor might lose his purse and checkbookBusinessman Donald J. Rinaldi plans to restore building facades, create a public park Where?????and convert the block into restaurants, boutiques, loft apartments just what we need more lofts and offices.

The project received $9 million in state funding from Gov. Ed Rendell and is receiving $2 million from the federal transportation enhancement funds, $1.5 million from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and more than $500,000 from the city. It was originally scheduled to be completed in late 2005 or early 2006.

"We are going to build around the properties that we couldn't reach an agreement with," Mr. Doherty said. "Those property owners can stay forever if they wish to, but they won't receive any funding from us to upgrade their buildings."

The mayor's comments were news to attorney Boyd Hughes, who represents Buona Pizza and two other property owners that have not agreed to join the project.

"Nobody has told me anything," Mr. Hughes said. "I'm preparing for trial next month and I'm ready."
The eminent domain trial is scheduled for Sept. 27, but Mr. Doherty maintained he will not force anyone to move.

Despite the controversy, city officials said they are excited about movement on the project.

"It's disappointing that the other property owners decided not to join this," said Sara Hailstone GAPGIRL, director of the city's Office of Economic and Community Development. In addition to the pre-bid conference, Ms. Hailstone met Wednesday with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to discuss the project.

With buildings being restored to their original designs, the project must get the commission's approval, Ms. Hailstone said. after she folded the sweaters and shirts
"We cannot keep still and do nothing, so we're moving ahead and we hope to have this part (sidewalks and curbs) of the project completed soon," she said. "We're excited, and look forward to seeing the (end result)." neatly folded and pressed
Contact the writer:sbrown@timesshamrock.com

[NYRangers 2008]

Sara Hailstone, another one of the mayor's tools. Why don't they wait until the eminent domain trial is over? Why movement now after so much non-movement? This project was supposed to be completed over a year ago. The city is not going to win this case and they know it. So you'll have some new buildings and some old ones. That is just great because they did not work with places like Buona's to try and work something out. Screwing with a business that has been downtown for 40 years. Typical Doherty. I'm thinking they will go with Scartelli has well.

[weluvpa]

Funding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that money that they received based on a time table that did not include three business' going against it. The only bid that can be put out right now would be the sidewalks and such because now they have to either change all the plans or try to get the project started in order to get a bid out and back and accepted before a time in which the funding would then revert back to the state and fed's. Another words if they do not use it by a certain time they lose it! They'll start the process in order to make sure the funding stays put and then this will drag out somemore. The trial should be interesting and I want to see how this goes for Piccolino, I have some ideas of my own Ed, call me later.