Update on Wilkes-Barre's newest downtown condo project "Elevations" (Scranton: cul-de-sac, lofts)

[W-B proud]

Here is an article on Wilkes-Barre's newest condomunium project. Look's preety neat.Condos in city drawing attention | Wilkes-Barre News | The Times Leader (http://www.timesleader.com/news/Condos_in_city_drawing_attention_10-03-2009.html - broken link) Here's the actual web site http://www.elevationslofts.com/ , and here is another cool condo project that is in the begining stages. http://www.thebeacontower.com/index.php (broken link) ,plus the Hotel Sterling condo project, The Murray Complex condo project, The Stegmaier Building condo project, and the Silk Mill condo project in the upper Heights/Mayflower section all on the way hopefully. That's alot of condo's! Hopefully all these project's will come to fruition, and do well.

[SteelCityRising]

Wilkes-Barre is better poised for a downtown loft/condo boom than Scranton. While Scranton's downtown is physically larger, that is actually a detriment if you are trying to promote it as a sustainable, walkable, and "hip" sort of neighborhood environment. Scranton's downtown is quite disorganized whereas Wilkes-Barre's is very orderly---bounded on the west by the river and new riverfront park, on the east by the wide Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, on the north by North Street and the King's College campus, and on the south by South Street and the Wilkes University campus. I must say I was never really a fan of Downtown Scranton. For me Scranton's neighborhoods are the largest selling point whereas many of Wilkes-Barre's neighborhoods look to be in decline, whether that's really the case or not.

[SifuPhil]

Maybe I'm dense, but I still don't see the selling point of lofts in W-B. If they're trying for a Renaissance ala NYC's Soho, then they're missing the mark. At that time, NY had the jobs, the attractions and the will and ability to renovate the area. They had police saturation. They had a strong mayor that was 100% behind the effort.

I just don't see the same set of conditions here.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by SifuPhil

Maybe I'm dense, but I still don't see the selling point of lofts in W-B. If they're trying for a Renaissance ala NYC's Soho, then they're missing the mark. At that time, NY had the jobs, the attractions and the will and ability to renovate the area. They had police saturation. They had a strong mayor that was 100% behind the effort.

I just don't see the same set of conditions here.

Wilkes-Barre is hoping to capitalize upon a national trend of people looking to eschew cul-de-sac living in suburbia in favor of living "in-town." In most metropolitan areas downtown housing prices are very cost-prohibitive due to very high demand. In Wilkes-Barre with these lofts starting at just $130,000 that's a VERY great bargain for graduate students, retirees, empty-nesters, DINKs, young professionals, the LGBT community, etc. to be attracted to. The hope is that with hundreds of new people living downtown that existing businesses will see their bottom lines be bolstered and NEW business ventures will also pop up to cater to the increased foot traffic. I only wish I was perhaps 30 by now because I personally would have bought one of these lofts and started job-hunting back in the area (or considering opening my own downtown business venture).

How long can we just keep watching as Wilkes-Barre's population declines while more trees come down in the Back Mountain and Mountain Top for zillions of new subdivisions? At some point we have to promote Wilkes-Barre itself to new residents as well.

[Magritte25]

We would actually love to purchase one of these condos. But IMO $130 grand is a bit much for downtown WB.

[SifuPhil]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Wilkes-Barre is hoping to capitalize upon a national trend of people looking to eschew cul-de-sac living in suburbia in favor of living "in-town."

From what I'm seeing, once again they're a few years behind in the trend. I had a loft in NYC back in 1976 - that's right around when the major trend started.

In most metropolitan areas downtown housing prices are very cost-prohibitive due to very high demand. In Wilkes-Barre with these lofts starting at just $130,000 that's a VERY great bargain for graduate students, retirees, empty-nesters, DINKs, young professionals, the LGBT community, etc. to be attracted to. The hope is that with hundreds of new people living downtown that existing businesses will see their bottom lines be bolstered and NEW business ventures will also pop up to cater to the increased foot traffic.

They're taking quite a gamble - they're pinning their hopes on the infrastructure being present by the time these things sell. Their only hope is to induce a few visionaries to move in. I think the proper way to do it - the way every other loft-community has done it - is to bring in the amenities FIRST. That's the draw - not empty promises. What do you have now within walking distance? A hell of a lot of bars and clubs, with an inverse proportion of establishments and services for that senior/retired demographic you mentioned - the ones that have the most buying power.

You have to decide what you are; what the feel of the area is going to be and who you're going to cater to. You can't hope to seamlessly blend all the types you mentioned in that small of an area - much too different in needs and wants.

I have to say, though - the floor plans looked OK. The SF was pretty small, but as you mentioned the prices are right. If I was in the market I'd go for one, only because of my previous experiences living that way. I certainly wouldn't move in with only a wing and a prayer that the businesses and services that I want would magically appear.

How long can we just keep watching as Wilkes-Barre's population declines while more trees come down in the Back Mountain and Mountain Top for zillions of new subdivisions? At some point we have to promote Wilkes-Barre itself to new residents as well.

I'm all for the idea - as long as it's done in a logical manner that gives at least a chance of becoming successful.

Because if you go about it helter-skelter, you'll just have another Mericle come in for the fire-sale and your slums will start all over again.

[Magritte25]

This area is *always* behind the times when compared nationally - no matter what subject we are discussing. It's just the way it is. And I'm fine with that.

[SifuPhil]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

This area is *always* behind the times when compared nationally - no matter what subject we are discussing. It's just the way it is. And I'm fine with that.

Well, I've always known it, knew it before moving here, but I can't say I'm fine with it.

I understand it and accept it, but I'm not fine with it. For some things, yes - I'm glad this area is behind the times on crime and congestion and prices in general - but not when it comes to things like getting decent Internet service or 24-hour diners.

[Magritte25]

I don't know where you live Phil, I live near downtown WB. My internet service - whether it was here or when I lived in S. WB or in Hanover Twp. - has *always* been optimal. And I think there are plenty of 24 hour places for people to hang out in relation to the population of the area.

I don't really see the advantages of being completely up to speed with places like NYC, Chicago, Miami, etc.

[W-B proud]

I can see these lofts being a prime area for college professor's who want to be in walking distance to Wilkes or Kings, or perhaps lawyers or even judges. It is a good location for Wilkes-Barre it is very close to everything in the downtown and right on top of the movie theater. I would love to have one, maybe in the future.