Work begins on the Connell Building (Scranton, Progress: 2009, insurance, condos)

[kvysmom]

Originally Posted by blip

Some people from the western side of downtown do walk over to Redner's. I often see someone with bags coming from there when I walk across the bridge. Of course the layout of Redner's with that giant suburban-style lot is not conducive to it... But it's not far otherwise.

Yeah, I can't see a Whole Foods opening any time soon downtown, or anywhere around here for that matter.. A small grocery store / good bodega can get you a lot..

Well even if folks are moving into Downtown Scranton, they aren't going to be giving up their car. Let's face it, downtown Scranton isn't that large. I doubt residents would feel they could rely on mass transit, like they do in big cities like NYC or Philly. I can't imagine that lack of a grocery store in walking distance would really deter someone from moving downtown if that is what they want to do.

Like you said, Redners (and Mr Z's in South side) is walkable, but chances are folks will get in their cars and drive to the store of their choice. Plus a grocery store downtown would really just cater to that small segment of the population. You won't find people from the surrounding areas shopping there, because parking would be an issue most won't want to deal with (especially for grocery shopping, which most consider a task to complete...not something fun).

I hope the renovations take place, and that it is successful, no one wants to see another vacant bldg downtown.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by kvysmom

I hope the renovations take place, and that it is successful, no one wants to see another vacant bldg downtown.

Obviously its not working because the renovated buildings are the ones that sit empty.

The wage tax and mercantile tax are too high...The wage tax is the second highest in the state and our mercantile tax is roughly 3% I think.

As long as the tax structure in the city of Scranton is oppressive to business and the wage tax is oppressive to residents they both will continue to leave and open their doors in our out lying communities.

Just because you build it doesn't mean that it will be filled.........Just look at the Southern Union building, the shining jewel of Scranton.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Yes. Instead of renovating the existing garage, the city decided to tear it down to build a new one. The design is bone-headed in my opinion, because at scrantonluna said any new good garage should also have some space for retail/restaurant usage as well on the ground floor to help make the street scape run much more smoothly to pedestrians as they pass by. The Connell Building will feature office space on the second and third floors, 89 upscale apartments in the upper floors, and ground-level space for retail/restaurants (even though I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Whole Foods and/or Border's!)

The new garage is slated to wrap around the back of the Connell building and extend all the way out to Spruce. You have to figure they need a minimum of 150 spots just for tennants - what does the average garage hold, 300-400 cars max?

I know the new garage will be red brick with tan trim, probably very similar to the Casey garage, and there will be some sort of decorative entrance on Spruce. They will probably not include store frontage so as not to compete with the Connell units. At the very least they should do something decorative; the U of S garage across from the subway on Mulberry has greenery on it's side to be more attractive, and this might be a good option.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

The wage tax and mercantile tax are too high...The wage tax is the second highest in the state and our mercantile tax is roughly 3% I think.

We see this mentioned a lot, and it's a valid point. While it may seem to be incorrect, usually lower taxes will INCREASE tax revenues due to increased development and new ventures spurred by a lower rate.

[weluvpa]

The mayor campaigned to lower the wage tax and never did. I have always said that the lack of excitement for the downtown wsith larger business is the tax structure. Lower the mercantile tax and the wage tax and you will undoubtly see an increase in business development.

Parks, treehouses and bridges to nowhere mean nothing to the bottom line of a company and in this day and age they watch their bottom lines closely. The downtown would be in better shape today if Doherty worried as much about the downtown as he worried about creating jobs and handing out raises. Those taxes should have been lowered years ago.

A distressed city with the 2nd highest unemployment rate in the state has the second highest wage tax in the state.....Ironic isn't it.

I don't see any revival methods...What I do see are ways to funnel millions of taxpayer dollars into the pockets of a few under the guise of redevelopement, but there is NO REAL PLAN and just throwing money around the downtown has not really accomplished anything but debt.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

usually lower taxes will INCREASE tax revenues due to increased development and new ventures spurred by a lower rate.

Go down to city hall and tell the mayor, please.....

[blip]

Originally Posted by GreenRidgeGuy

I wouldn't want to walk to Redner's from downtown.

Why not, the distance? That depends where you are downtown. It's really only ~500 yards from those apartments on Linden nr Penn.

Originally Posted by kvysmom

Well even if folks are moving into Downtown Scranton, they aren't going to be giving up their car. Let's face it, downtown Scranton isn't that large. I doubt residents would feel they could rely on mass transit, like they do in big cities like NYC or Philly. I can't imagine that lack of a grocery store in walking distance would really deter someone from moving downtown if that is what they want to do.

You're right about likely not giving up a car, but for most people (however many they are) who'd maybe want to live downtown, I think walkability would be a big factor. Not being able to get something as essential as your groceries without getting in the car is a big deterrent. (I didn't even consider downtown or the Hill for that reason, fwiw...)

[HollywoodSIAS]

any new info on when the renovations are scheduled to be finished? have they released any availability or pricing info?

[johnqpublic]

the work on the connell bldg isnt moving too fast, possibly because the prior projects here didnt pan out , we built it, but they didnt come, or they came for a moment and left....left us holding the bill...the link is a reasonable explanation of why....or more clearly , a picture of reality...

[shoegal111]

Originally Posted by johnqpublic

the work on the connell bldg isnt moving too fast, possibly because the prior projects here didnt pan out , we built it, but they didnt come, or they came for a moment and left....left us holding the bill...the link is a reasonable explanation of why....or more clearly , a picture of reality...

Oh please it bears no relevance at all to what was being asked.