What Does Scranton Need to Undergo a Renaissance? (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: cul-de-sac, middle-class)

[ScranBarre]

Disclaimer: There was a thread similar to this that I had started roughly a year ago that was eventually closed by Yac because weluvpa started with his anti-political ranting and drove me, CHS89, and a few others into a brou-ha-ha. I'm hoping we can avoid such drivel and try to keep politics OUT of THIS thread.

With that being said, what do you all think Scranton needs in order to undergo a rebirth? If you were to talk to some folks they'd lead you to believe that Scranton is already on the correct path to recovery. Others would say the city is in a sad state of affairs due to political and financial turmoil (please no further elaborating on that one). Still others remain cautiously optimistic about what may be yet to come in the city's future. Some cling to the Scranton of the past; others champion the Scranton of the future. Some think the city should be evacuated, leveled, and then rebuilt from scratch. Others think it is beyond salvation. What do you all think? What does the "Electric City" need to focus its attention on in order to be the type of city you might someday be proud to say you live in (or at least relatively near).

Please, as I pleaded before do NOT force Yac to close this thread. There are a few dozen bright minds lurking around on the NEPA sub-forum, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to see Scranton saved. Thank you.

[CHS89]

Scranton, and her residents, must stop living in the past, and collectively move forward. Dwelling on nonsense that happened a year, five years, ten years ago, for better or worse, is not helping anything. The whole city just needs someone to hit a "reset" button so we can have a do-over.

[CHS89]

Realistically, though, the people who don't want to be here need to move or focus their energy on something constructive, and everyone else's expectations need to be realistic. Until both of those things happen, nothing will change. You can't have your renaissance with the same negative mindset polluting everything.

[ScranBarre]

I'll start by saying that the city should attempt to overhaul its budget to leverage more of a burden onto suburbanites and less onto the residents themselves. The city currently has a 3.4% wage tax---1.0% of which is set by the Scranton School District and 2.4% of which the city is responsible for levying upon its own residents. That is I believe the second-highest in the state behind Philadelphia, which ironically plans to reduce its wage tax starting later this year as casino revenues pour in. Scranton should consider pursuing the following financial sources to generate enough revenue to slash its overall wage tax to a more competitive 2.0% by reducing its share by 1.4%:

1.) State Representative Bob Freeman (D-Northampton County) introduced a House Bill in Fall 2007 to redirect the 18% "Johnstown Flood Tax" that is levied upon liquor sales in the state to the general operating budgets of cash-strapped Pennsylvania cities with a high percentage of tax-exempt properties in their municipal boundaries. That tax was originally intended to assist Johnstown after the major 1936 Flood, but now obviously those funds aren't needed by Johnstown for disaster relief. Scranton is home to Community Medical Center, Moses-Taylor Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Johnson College, University of Scranton, Lackawanna College, the soon-to-be-constructed Commonwealth Medical College, churches, and many other tax-exempt structures that place a burden upon city services yet are frequently used by suburbanites, who pay nothing to the host city for utilizing these facilities.

In 2006-2007 that "Johnstown Flood Tax" generated revenue of $239.4 MILLION! All Pennsylvania municipalities with at least 17% of its properties being classified as "tax-exempt," which would include Scranton, would be eligible to apply for a share of this annual revenue. The amount distributed to each qualifying community that applies for a "piece of the pie" would be based upon the percentage of tax-exempt properties per municipality, but one municipality alone couldn't receive more than 10% of that total. For example, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh being the state's largest and most heavily-burdened cities would likely each receive a maximum of $23,940,000 per year from that fund. Given Scranton's estimated percentage of over 22% of its structures being tax-exempt, it could potentially receive over $2,000,000 in new revenue per year.

The entirety of that $2,000,000 should be used to offset the wage tax and make the city a more viable place to live. I'm actually surprised more people haven't been vocal in supporting this house bill. Where is that $240,000,000 currently going, anyways?

2.) In addition to successful implementation of this proposed bill, the city should become more aggressive in asking tax-exempt bodies in the city to contribute more "payment in lieu of taxes" (PILOT). Last year the Scranton Housing Authority generously gave $900,000 to the city. The University of Scranton gives a meager $106,000 annually to the city, and feeling the "pressure" from the community it has agreed to beautify Mulberry Street, the main artery through its campus that connects it to Center City. I don't know if any of the hospitals give anything to the city (as they should). If the city were more aggressive in demanding a nominal PILOT from every tax-exempt property in the city (within reason), then you could easily see an additional $2,000,000 in annual revenue from all of these bodies as well, which would amount to a total of at least $4,000,000 in new annual revenues when combined with the revenue from the Johnstown Flood Tax.

3.) I'd also propose the city consider levying more non-residential taxes to help generate more revenues for the city to further offset the wage tax. One of the few things I ever agreed with City Councilwoman Janet Evans on was the subject of establishing a new "amusement tax" in the city, similar to what Wilkes-Barre Township has to charge out-of-towners who patronize city attractions a small "user fee" to provide funding to the host municipality. Opponents say that such a fee would drive people away from visiting Scranton, but that's obviously not the case with Wilkes-Barre Township, so why would it be in Scranton? If someone wants to go ice skating they're not going to say "forget the Ice Box" because of a $0.25 city surcharge.

Another option would be to consider enacting a 1% city sales tax that would complement the state's 6% sales tax. I know of many other cities that have a 1% city sales tax implemented that have NOT seen any sort of negative ramifications or feedback from it. Do you honestly think an extra penny tax per dollar spent in the city would deter someone from visiting the city? I highly doubt it. If Boscov's in Downtown Scranton sold something unique for $100, do you think someone would say "I'd be willing to pay $106 when the state sales tax is added on, but $107 to give the city a buck is far too much?"

If all of these options alone, along with "trimming the pork" don't provide enough revenue to reduce the wage tax, then a final option would be to re-enact a nominal commuter tax to greater spread the burden city residents face onto suburbanites who patronize the city and enjoy its offerings free of charge.

I've spoken to several residents who said they "would" have considered moving to a nice neighborhood in Scranton if it weren't for the oppressive wage tax being in place. If we can generate enough revenue from all of these sources I mentioned to significantly reduce it, then that might be the difference between a middle-class family from NJ moving to Scranton or the suburbs.

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by SWB

Disclaimer: There was a thread similar to this that I had started roughly a year ago that was eventually closed by Yac because weluvpa started with his anti-political ranting and drove me, CHS89, and a few others into a brou-ha-ha. I'm hoping we can avoid such drivel and try to keep politics OUT of THIS thread.

With that being said, what do you all think Scranton needs in order to undergo a rebirth? If you were to talk to some folks they'd lead you to believe that Scranton is already on the correct path to recovery. Others would say the city is in a sad state of affairs due to political and financial turmoil (please no further elaborating on that one). Still others remain cautiously optimistic about what may be yet to come in the city's future. Some cling to the Scranton of the past; others champion the Scranton of the future. Some think the city should be evacuated, leveled, and then rebuilt from scratch. Others think it is beyond salvation. What do you all think? What does the "Electric City" need to focus its attention on in order to be the type of city you might someday be proud to say you live in (or at least relatively near).

Please, as I pleaded before do NOT force Yac to close this thread. There are a few dozen bright minds lurking around on the NEPA sub-forum, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to see Scranton saved. Thank you.

SWB - I have always thought you were on to something with your concept of a small to medium city revitalization. The medical school, if it ever comes to fruition would be a start. Another concept that exists here in NC and SC, would be for Scranton to have an "upscale Senior Living Center". These have become popular in the Charlotte Region due to the great influx of people in their 30's and 40's who persuade their parents to move down here to be close to them. These places are within an hours drive of Charlotte so you don't have the parents constantly at their kids houses, but the kids can keep an "eye" on mom and dad without having to drive 10 hours to get there. The medical school could have a special geriatric unit that would complement having a Senior Community nearby creating a synergic relationship. The Scranton area could serve the endless numbers of baby-boomers like your parents. Scranton could serve as a center for folks that want to retire and live in an area with four seasons. People who live in NJ and NYC, would much rather drive down 80 to visit their parents than have to board a plane for Florida or South Carolina.

If Scranton wasn't as homophobic as you suggest it is, a few blocks of rehabs in a gay-friendly section of town could go a long way in improving Scranton's downtrodden image. How many HGTV episodes have two guys on it who own a house that most of America would drool over? They also have a lot of buying power! Even Archie Bunker got over it - so can Scranton!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by CHS89

Scranton, and her residents, must stop living in the past, and collectively move forward. Dwelling on nonsense that happened a year, five years, ten years ago, for better or worse, is not helping anything. The whole city just needs someone to hit a "reset" button so we can have a do-over.

Realistically, though, the people who don't want to be here need to move or focus their energy on something constructive, and everyone else's expectations need to be realistic. Until both of those things happen, nothing will change. You can't have your renaissance with the same negative mindset polluting everything.

Agreed 100%. I myself apologize for being so overzealous at times with my rose-colored glasses, but one thing we can't deny is that the exurban frontier from NJ/NYC is now at the city's doorstep; North Pocono is now growing moderately after years of stagnation as nearby Monroe County has begun to bleed some of its residents up I-380 and across the Monroe/Lackawanna County line.

Scranton has a great opportunity in the coming years to lure some of these folks into its city limits---middle-class families renovating homes, paying the (hopefully smaller) wage tax, and taking pride in their new city neighborhoods could be a blessing for Scranton in the long-term financially and could stop its population decline. The "Electric City" needs to do everything in its power to prove that it can offer a comparable quality-of-life to that of The Abingtons, Mid-Valley, North Pocono, and Glenmaura in order to be competitive in wooing these transplants. I believe it can, but speaking to many city residents you'd never think that was "realistic." Luzerne County has shown population growth from 2004-2006 and Lackawanna County grew from 2005-2006. The figures for 2006-2007 will be released within a few months by the U.S. Census Bureau, but I predict that both counties saw their populations increase again from 2006-2007. As the counties grow, their older cities and boroughs need to take action to lure in these transplants.

Thankfully we've been seeing some of this on this forum---ScrantonVideoProductions and GREGG moved to Scranton. new2pa moved to Dunmore. I LOVE PA will likely move to the Dunmore/Mid-Valley area within the next year or two to be closer to her daughter and conveniences. Chefkey moved to Wilkes-Barre. I myself will be moving to Scranton in a few years when I'm on my feet financially. LoveInBloom has moved to Scranton. Lehigh Valley Native moved to Kingston. I'm hoping these folks are all just a small microchasm of what will soon happen to the region as a whole---a renewed interest in older communities as opposed to the once "hot" cul-de-sacs in the suburbs/exurbs.

[Retired Law 08]

Originally Posted by SWB

Disclaimer: There was a thread similar to this that I had started roughly a year ago that was eventually closed by Yac because weluvpa started with his anti-political ranting and drove me, CHS89, and a few others into a brou-ha-ha. I'm hoping we can avoid such drivel and try to keep politics OUT of THIS thread.

With that being said, what do you all think Scranton needs in order to undergo a rebirth? If you were to talk to some folks they'd lead you to believe that Scranton is already on the correct path to recovery. Others would say the city is in a sad state of affairs due to political and financial turmoil (please no further elaborating on that one). Still others remain cautiously optimistic about what may be yet to come in the city's future. Some cling to the Scranton of the past; others champion the Scranton of the future. Some think the city should be evacuated, leveled, and then rebuilt from scratch. Others think it is beyond salvation. What do you all think? What does the "Electric City" need to focus its attention on in order to be the type of city you might someday be proud to say you live in (or at least relatively near).

Please, as I pleaded before do NOT force Yac to close this thread. There are a few dozen bright minds lurking around on the NEPA sub-forum, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to see Scranton saved. Thank you.

O.k what I personally think scranton needs is to start drawing, business,companys such as merrill lynch,phizer, financial firms,empty nesters,
I already know for for a fact business's are checking out future sites in and around the area,I know I was not originally from the area,but that does not mean I don't know whats going on.I have researched areas for years before I started making investments,and found NEPA had the most potential.I feel scranton is going to rebound because I have seen this before in NY,Brooklyn,Staten Island.Such places as Harlem,willamsburg brooklyn,carroll gardens brooklyn, hoboken were left for dead,but people with vison and forsight came into the areas,invested, now you can't even touch these areas.But there was one problem, the reason these places were to rebound and become such hot spots was because they were not far from NYC. So alot of working people bought into it.So what needs to happen is A. companies come out and buy up property cheaper than else where to create jobs B. Commuter rail link that nobody wants that would not only draw hard working,money making people from NY,NJ but it would give an opportunity for people in PA to work in NY and get a chance at corporate, state,or federal job, also city but not uniformed force as police etc.there really has to be some kind of draw and potential in the areas for investors to really come in.
I think they are are the right path,but you do need the economic changes such as outsiders coming into invest into these areas and not being shuned by locals.All I can say is don't sleep on some of these people in this forum,and don't be suprised if more and more business start popping up.I for one might be one such people to have one in the electric city as my friends are now doing in montrose THE END

[weluvpa]

Fifteen paragraphs? Scranton needs to have a change of administration first and foremost on the list. The current one has just not done a good job and the revival is costing as much as WWI did. Scranton can grow and it has nothing to do with the burbs or the NYC and Philly. The city gov't needs to come and set goals that are attainable and fiscally smart. We need to start a long and expensive process but it has to be done so that the bruden can be spread out and absorbed by the residents. Dumping hundreds of millions of dollars of debt in their laps in just 6 years will get nothing but anger. There is no direction right now, they are just throwing money at everything and hoping that some of it sticks and its not so what do they do? They throw more! We need a plan and we need to set goals and stick to them but the most important part is getting rid of the current admin that has done nothing to help any of this and in so many ways has made the road to recovery that much harder for future generations to follow. We need to stop funding everyone else's goals and dreams. Thats what we need to do. I'm sure you should be able to find somewhere to put your disclaimer Paul.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by TheEmissary

SWB - I have always thought you were on to something with your concept of a small to medium city revitalization. The medical school, if it ever comes to fruition would be a start. Another concept that exists here in NC and SC, would be for Scranton to have an "upscale Senior Living Center". These have become popular in the Charlotte Region due to the great influx of people in their 30's and 40's who persuade their parents to move down here to be close to them. These places are within an hours drive of Charlotte so you don't have the parents constantly at their kids houses, but the kids can keep an "eye" on mom and dad without having to drive 10 hours to get there. The medical school could have a special geriatric unit that would complement having a Senior Community nearby creating a synergic relationship. The Scranton area could serve the endless numbers of baby-boomers like your parents. Scranton could serve as a center for folks that want to retire and live in an area with four seasons. People who live in NJ and NYC, would much rather drive down 80 to visit their parents than have to board a plane for Florida or South Carolina.

22.9% of residents in Lackawanna County were age 60 or over in 2006. In Luzerne County in 2006 that number was slightly higher at 23.3% of residents at least age 60. Scranton in 2006 had 22.7% of its residents at age 60 or over, which was slightly lower than the county average. In other words as the Baby Boomers age we'll soon see a full 1/4 of our local population at or above age 60, making us one of the most geriatric parts of the nation. My own parents are now in their early-50s as well, putting them right at the tail end of that "Boomer" demographic.

I agree that Scranton could perhaps reinvent itself as a retirement destination for folks from Greater NYC or Greater Philadelphia seeking an affordable, safe, and quiet place to live out their remaining years. There are plans to develop a rather large senior-oriented residential community in Old Forge along the banks of the Lackawanna River, and this is just the latest in several developments in the region, including I believe two in the Back Mountain alone.

Originally Posted by TheEmissary

If Scranton wasn't as homophobic as you suggest it is, a few blocks of rehabs in a gay-friendly section of town could go a long way in improving Scranton's downtrodden image. How many HGTV episodes have two guys on it who own a house that most of America would drool over? They also have a lot of buying power! Even Archie Bunker got over it - so can Scranton!

If Scranton could ever get a "Gayborhood" it would most likely be in the Lower Hill neighborhood, which sits adjacent to both the University of Scranton campus and Downtown. I hate to stereotype, but my affinity for historic Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets, and proximity to coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, campus culture, etc. perfectly mimics not only the rest of the LGBT community but also heterosexual young professionals, childless couples, and empty-nesters alike. The Lower Hill, once its issues with run-down off-campus housing and drug trafficking are resolved, has phenomenal potential to become Scranton's "Gayborhood"---rainbow flags and all---much as how the Upper Hill was Scranton's predominant Jewish neighborhood for many years and about how parts of South Side are becoming a Hispanic-dominated neighborhood.

I would call Scrantonians "fearful" moreso than "hateful." Scranton is still overwhelmingly white, non-Hispanic, Christian (Roman Catholic at that), and heterosexual (and surprisingly closeted homosexual) in nature, so when folks see minorities they tend to have an air of suspicion around them because they've had limited exposure to them. It's "curiosity/fear" moreso than "hate." I HAVE noticed change for the better though. A few weeks ago for the first time my partner and I became brave and held hands while sitting and watching a movie at Cinemark. Nobody gave us a second glance whereas even a decade ago we might have had people givng us glares of death. I would NEVER contemplate being more affectionate in public than just hand-holding to respect the conservative values of others, as I myself hate seeing straight couples making out at work, but it's good to know that the city/metro has improved at least somewhat from even a few years ago in terms of tolerance.

As more and more diverse transplants from NJ and NY continue to move to NEPA, our demographics will continue to change. As more exposure to different customs, cultures, races, sexual orientations, etc. occurs, so will more tolerance. Scranton is far from a lost cause. Yes, Archie Bunker is characteristic of a good number of Scrantonians, but it doesn't have to be that way forever.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Fifteen paragraphs? Scranton needs to have a change of administration first and foremost on the list. The current one has just not done a good job and the revival is costing as much as WWI did. Scranton can grow and it has nothing to do with the burbs or the NYC and Philly. The city gov't needs to come and set goals that are attainable and fiscally smart. We need to start a long and expensive process but it has to be done so that the bruden can be spread out and absorbed by the residents. Dumping hundreds of millions of dollars of debt in their laps in just 6 years will get nothing but anger. There is no direction right now, they are just throwing money at everything and hoping that some of it sticks and its not so what do they do? They throw more! We need a plan and we need to set goals and stick to them but the most important part is getting rid of the current admin that has done nothing to help any of this and in so many ways has made the road to recovery that much harder for future generations to follow. We need to stop funding everyone else's goals and dreams. Thats what we need to do. I'm sure you should be able to find somewhere to put your disclaimer Paul.

Yes, Dan, we'll get rid of the current administration. Then what? If the political newbies don't have any rational ideas for improving the city either, then "Doherty Deceit" will eventually be renamed "Evans Deceit", "Rogan Deceit", "Sbaraglia Deceit", "Spindler Deceit", or heaven forbid even "Franus Deceit." Then what? Is your answer going to be "We'll wait until we get more new guys (or gals) in office and then see what they can do?"

I hate to tell you this, but you give government WAY too much credit for the role it plays in fostering a liveable city environment. Scranton could revolutionize itself RIGHT NOW given its current seemingly unpopular politicians at the helm if the regular council speakers would pitch CONSTRUCTIVE IDEAS/CRITICISMS as opposed to squawking about their PERSONAL AGENDAS/GRIEVANCES.

You can have a rebounding city DESPITE apparent inept leadership, can you not? You can have neighborhood block parties to promote neighborliness DESPITE apparent inept leadership, can you not? You can have events like First Fridays, La Festa Italiana, First Night: Scranton, Steamtown Marathon, etc. that promote the city's attractiveness for tourism DESPITE apparent inept leadership, can you not? Why does the proverbial "buck" have to stop at city hall?

P.S. If you don't want to read 15 paragraphs, you don't have to. Being a windbag shouldn't make me any less credible.