What are your idea's for Wilkes-Barre's Irem Temple? (Reading, Scranton: sale, condo)

[W-B proud]

Do to a recent poster who was new to the area, and admires The Irem Temple, I decided to post asking what you would like to see become of the vacant Irem Temple building in downtown Wilkes-Barre? I've heard an artist colony wants to move in, I heard about the Susquahanna Museum idea ect. But what are some of your ideas? If one of them is really good, then W-B may just do it, because it seems that the city cannot figure out what to do with it right now. So what would you like to see?

[Magritte25]

Well, I posted this in the other thread, but IMO, a combined children's museum and river heritage museum would work perfectly in that building. The building is big enough to accomodate both and close enough to the river, the library and downtown to tie everything together nicely.

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Well, I posted this in the other thread, but IMO, a combined children's museum and river heritage museum would work perfectly in that building. The building is big enough to accomodate both and close enough to the river, the library and downtown to tie everything together nicely.

I like you ideas. An interactive children's museum would be neat.

[Magritte25]

I know we and many other families with children would love to have something like this locally.

Any other ideas from others? I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions. (No, really! LOL)

[W-B proud]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

I know we and many other families with children would love to have something like this locally.

Any other ideas from others? I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions. (No, really! LOL)

I have had a good idea for downtown W-B, but not for The Irem Temple. I want to see a "large urban marketplace" like The Reading Terminal Market in Philly (not as big of course), but a smaller version would be awesome. If you'v e ever been to the one in Philly, it's a real treat. They have every kind of food vendor imaginable, Thai, Amish, Meditranian, middle eastern, you name it, and they have it. They have fresh produce from all over the region, butcher shops, fresh fish mongors, florist, a raw bar, arts and crafts vendors, spice vendors. Think of the farmers market on Public Square but much larger, and with alot more variety, indoors and yearound. I even picked a spot out were i'd like to see it built. I think the ground floor of the future Hotel Sterling parking garage would be perfect. It would be smack dab between Wilkes and Kings, across the street from The River Common, directly in the middle of the downtown buisness district, and very close to all the proposed condo projects on the horizon. it would be a one stop shop for lunch for college students, downtown office workers, and most importantly the future tenants of The Sterling condo's and other downtown residents that currently have nowhere downtown to buy groceries, meats and other goods. I imagine it can run Mon.-Fri. maybe a short day on Saturday., but still Thursdays will be reserved for the farmers market on Public Square, which is wildly successful and popular (I just got back from there). It is essential to provide a downtown market for the future residents to buy groceries and other goods if you expect people to want to move downtown. I say instead of a Run-of-the-mill supermarket, have a big city style marketplace. What do you all think? Check this out. http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/ Here's Cleveland's http://www.westsidemarket.org/ This is what I'd like to see in downtown wilkes-barre!

[W-B proud]

Whow! i just realized that Cleveland's West Side Market looks identical to the Kingston Armory building on Market St.!

[Magritte25]

Very good idea WBP! I love that idea....

I have often said that a grocery store was needed in downtown WB but never even thought of an urban marketplace.

And I agree that the West Side Market looks like the Armory.

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Very good idea WBP! I love that idea....

I have often said that a grocery store was needed in downtown WB but never even thought of an urban marketplace.

And I agree that the West Side Market looks like the Armory.

I thought of other ideas...but the market one has great merit. Every successful downtown, that wants people living in center city, MUST have some type of market/grocery store.....but I think some combination or stand alone, artists colony is also a great idea.

Sarasota just decided the market....downtown was necessary and attracted one with city perks.... The building is magnificient.

PS..I am mixing up names...Irem and Masonic Temples and the one in Scranton(my old age...LOL) I mean the Mosque with the four turrets...I may have used the wrong name with another poster...if so...my bad..I apologize.

[Magritte25]

The one on S. Franklin you are speaking about right?

[HistPresPlanStudent]

I recently read in the Citizens Voice about the sheriffs sale of the Mosque. I interned at the Chamber in 2007 and spent a great deal of time with officials taking members of Arts YOUniverse around the historic structure, not to mention I also spent quite a great deal of my childhood there as my father was a Shriner. I've always had a fondness for not only this building, but for a majority of the structures in downtown W-B. Like Mr. Newman said, we don't need another F.M. Kirby Center. The facility, although very beautiful and ornate, doesn't function well as a theatre as that was not it's original purpose. I too think that a childrens museum/science center and Susquehanna Heritage museum would be perfect for this location. Maybe it could even be converted into a civic center for Kings, we know they're expanding closer to Market Street anyway. I just hope the building is saved for future generations to enjoy.