Downtown Erie redevelopment set to begin - Page 13

pj3000 · #**241** Posted **Feb 2, 2011, 4:56 PM**

^ 70 feet!!! Wow! Reaching for the sky!

Erie Pa · #**242** Posted **Feb 3, 2011, 5:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj3000

^ 70 feet!!! Wow! Reaching for the sky!

What do you mean by that statement?

pj3000 · #**243** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 9:12 PM**

Ground has been broken. Hopefully they'll find residential tenants. Crazy Mocha is lone commercial tenant so far... which is a good start.

http://www.unionsquareerie.com/default.aspx

pj3000 · #**244** Posted **Feb 26, 2011, 6:17 PM**

Half-empty still? Of course it it. It's not surprising in the least to me, considering that the supporting amenities necessary to attract the types of residents to downtown Erie simply do not exist.

But, these things do not happen overnight. I think that these projects in Erie will be successful... it just takes some time for the surrounding environment to catch up. The Griswold Plaza and Union Square developments a block away from the Mercantile will support it. With a small market, convenience store, and Crazy Mocha coffee ship as part of the development in Union Square, some of the pieces are beginning to come together. It's far too early (by about 5 years or so) to render a verdict on the success of this endeavor.

Times In-Depth: Erie's struggle with downtown living

STAFF REPORT, Erie Times-News

The redevelopment of the Mercantile Building, 1401 State St., was meant to attract young professionals and others to downtown Erie to live. The project, which was marketed to potential tenants in summer 2007, boasts new condominiums and a central location.

But the Mercantile Building is half full and its management is in financial trouble. The difficulties are raising questions about the viability of the project and Mayor Joe Sinnott's push to build upscale town homes nearby, across from Griswold Park, in the Union Square redevelopment.

In Sunday's Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, staff writer Erica Erwin revisits the ambitious Mercantile Building project and what its future means to the city.

Her report is part of Times In-Depth, a regular series in which the Erie Times-News focuses on issues and events that affect you and your community

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...WS02/302259884

Evergrey · #**245** Posted **Mar 9, 2011, 10:03 PM**

http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...WS02/303099922

Quote:

Census: Erie's population continues to fall; city is 4th largest in Pa.

By GERRY WEISS, Erie Times-News
gerry.weiss@timesnews.com

The city of Erie's population remains on the decline, a trend since 1970 in each U.S. Census Bureau count, according to data released this afternoon.

Erie's 2010 census population was 101,786, a decrease of nearly 2 percent since the 2000 census, the bureau reported at 2 p.m. today.

Erie also failed to retain the bragging rights that it lost after the 2000 census, when it slid from the third-largest to the fourth-largest Pennsylvania city, behind Allentown.

In 2000, Erie had a population of 103,717 and Allentown had a population of 106,632.

Today, the 2010 census reported Allentown to have a population of 118,032, a growth of nearly 11 percent since the 2000 census.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh rank first and second, respectively.

The city of Erie reached its peak census population in 1960, 138,440, and has declined in population every count since.

The last time Erie's population hovered this close to 100,000 was in 1920, when it was 93,372.

Today's release by the U.S. Census Bureau provides the first local census data for Pennsylvania in terms of population counts, racial and ethnic backgrounds, voting age populations and information on housing.

The data was shipped to Pennsylvania's governor and legislative leaders on Tuesday and released publicly this afternoon.

The Census Bureau is required in U.S. Constitution to provide the data for use in redesigning legislative districts by no later than April 1. It began state-by-state release of the information in February.

The census conducts a count of the nation's population every 10 years.

For more coverage, read Thursday's Erie Times-News and go to GoErie.com.

pj3000 · #**246** Posted **Mar 11, 2011, 4:07 AM**

^ I'm actually surprised it officially stayed over 100K. For all of the city's improvements, Erie is still struggling. At least the loss is not as great as it was between 1990 and 2000... and the surrounding suburbs continue to "grow".

Allentown to 118,000 is not surprising either, really... considering the influx from NY/NJ and Philly.

Evergrey · #**247** Posted **Mar 11, 2011, 4:32 PM**

I think we can officially put this "3rd place" population competition with Allentown to rest. It's astounding the levels of growth that region of PA is seeing... even the city of Reading boomed... when I was there a few years ago it felt like a creepy Scooby Doo ghost town.

pj3000 · #**248** Posted **Mar 11, 2011, 7:39 PM**

^ Yes, that 3rd largest "competition" was never really any competition at all. Pretty strange thing for the mayor of Erie to suggest a few years ago anyway... when all indicators were showing that Erie would continue to shrink and Allentown would continue to gain large numbers.

Rumor was that Erie mayor Sinnott's goal in having the city regain the 3rd largest status was rooted in his efforts to merge the city with the bordering municipalities of Millcreek, NW Harborcreek, Wesleyville, and Lawrence Park... which really should happen considering that many services are already totally provided by the city or shared, Wesleyville and Lawrence Park might as well be eastside city neighborhoods, and Millcreek and NW Harborcreek are just about completely built out... but we know how difficult a merger would be.

Reading a "Creepy Scooby Doo ghost town"

Having been to Reading about 8 years ago, I'd have to say that description is just about perfect.

Erie Pa · #**249** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 1:57 AM**

As far as the Mercantile Bldg being half full.
I had originally put a $5K hold/down payment. It was to be completed a few months before I retired. The layout out was so horrible that the changes I wanted added $40K. I was alright with that but during the additional delays and not even having started on the changes, I was fed up. Well then the stock mrkt slammed me for $105K loss which was most of my planned downpayment.
After a 2.5 yr delay I bought a place outside the city.

Last yr I went to an open house tour in the Mercantile and I'm can now see why they are not selling. The layouts are completely insane. I'm sure the price will be lowered and they'll be used for rentals or some section 8 housing.

What a major disappointment the whole project is.

pj3000 · #**250** Posted **Apr 19, 2011, 4:48 PM**

Somewhat of a strange idea for a downtown area, but hey, it's going in a vacant building and downtown Erie needs all the help it can get. Could be an interesting and complementary spot once the new residential and retail developments finally get underway.

Downtown Erie getting indoor golf facility

Golf pro Dave Wedzik, left, and his wife Jennifer are opening a downtown golf facility inside a vacant building on the southwest corner of West 10th and State streets in Erie. The pair, photographed on April 5, plan to offer hitting stations, putting greens, a fitness center and a lounge area. The wall and ceiling behind the Wedzicks will be removed and replaced with a two-story hitting area.

You won't have to yell "Fore!" in order to cross at 10th and State streets, but you might hear that and other golf lingo at that intersection starting this summer.

Harborcreek Township native David Wedzik and his wife, Jennifer, will open an indoor golf facility at 5 W. 10th St. Their target opening date is Sept. 1 or sooner.

Wedzik, 42, who has been a golf professional since 1991, plans to install eight hitting stations, a launch monitor, a course simulator, a 2,000-square-foot chipping and putting green, an equipment storage area, a golf-related fitness area featuring a personal trainer, and a lounge fitted with several flat-screen televisions.

"We want to make this a place for people to come in, spend time on their game, and then relax," Wedzik said. "It's like a club, a playground.''

pj3000 · #**251** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 1:42 PM**

2010 Erie city ethnic makeup:

White 75%
Black 17%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 2%

Erie Pa · #**252** Posted **May 10, 2011, 3:58 PM**

Up the Asian Populatio by 700

For Video

http://www.wicu12.com/news/index.vns...2103&type=News

700 Refugees Plan to Settle in Erie

A big wave of refugees is expected to settle in the US, in the next 3 to 5 years. In the next year, 700 of them, from Asia and Africa, will be coming to Erie. CLICK FOR VIDEO These refugees come to Erie with nothing but the clothes on their back and a shopping bag with documents. We caught up with one family from Nepal today. They arrived in Erie last Friday. On Monday, we joined them on their first official orientation with their case manager. Catholic Charities explained that because these people live in tents, often times things that we don't even think about such as using a thermostat or turning on a light switch are taught during the initial orientation. Deacon Dick Brogdon of Catholic Charities explained that one of the biggest challenges for refugee families is finding housing. Catholic Charities assist refugees in that process along with medical, schooling, and employment opportunities. The government gives the refugees money to start with but Catholic Charities follow up with the families for the first 90 days.

"They give them $1100 a piece to start with which isn't a lot, they have to get their apartment, clothes, food,anything they have to buy, has to come out of that $1100," says Deacon Dick.

Yog Raj Neopaney, a new refugee from Nepal says, "Slowly, it will improve and I'm sure that I will labor hard and make success in America."

Catholic Charities expects 230 refugees to settle in Erie in the following year.

Liz Crawford

Evergrey · #**253** Posted **May 12, 2011, 1:30 PM**

awesome... way to go, Erie!

Erie Pa · #**254** Posted **May 17, 2011, 10:29 AM**

New hotel in the works for downtown Erie.

While no details have been set the developer who owns at least
7 area hotels and 10 resturants along with Splash Lagoon and
holdings in Buffalo already owns the property. He is in process
of formulating final plans soon to be released.

From TV-24
http://yourerie.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=173897

Scott Enterprizes had originally planned a 13 story hotel for the
site but backed out when the convention center was moved to
another site.

pj3000 · #**255** Posted **May 17, 2011, 4:33 PM**

Very good news for Erie's developing Bayfront, downtown Erie, and Erie in general. Rumor has it that development plans are underway for the former GAF property and Scott wants to get his hotel development underway. Hopefully, the development will look something like the Harborside plan his company put forth over a decade ago.

Scott to build new hotel on Erie's bayfront

BY GERRY WEISS, Erie Times-News

Erie developer Nick Scott Sr. said today that he plans to build a new hotel on Erie's bayfront. Construction will begin as early as this fall.

Scott, president and owner of Scott Enterprises Inc., said he would have "more specific details" about the project in the next four to six weeks.

The hotel would be built on six acres west of Blasco Library and the Erie Maritime Museum that Scott Enterprises has owned for 12 years, Scott said. The hotel would take up about two acres, he added.

"We think that area is a viable market, with a lot of customers and business in that downtown location," Scott said this morning. "We keep reinvesting in the Erie market."

Scott Enterprises owns and operates seven hotels in the Erie region and one in Buffalo, N.Y

Erie Pa · #**256** Posted **May 17, 2011, 7:52 PM**

The area continues to grow. In the last few years UPMC-Hamot added
2 infill bldgs along East 2nd st overlooking the bayfront. 4 floor Hamot Heart Inst and 5 floor Hamot Women's Hosp. Also on West 2nd another 5 fl professional bldg just opened last yr. While not very tall, the development is welcome. There is talk that Hamot may add floors to its
South Bldg on State st.

Of note, Hamot is continuing to attract out of town patients' whoose families
stay downtown.

St. Louis woman comes to Erie for rare facial nerve surgery.
Full story
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...5139858/-1/ETN

Erie Pa · #**257** Posted **May 23, 2011, 8:29 PM**

New Sushi resturant to open in downtown Erie

From the Erie Times-News
Kap Mung is hunched over a bamboo mat, carefully crafting one of his specialties.
He lays down the square of dry seaweed first, covering every inch of it with vinegared rice. Next comes a sprinkling of sesame seeds and -- after Mung flips the whole package over -- a stick of pink imitation crab meat and several pieces of avocado and cucumber.
Using the mat to press and form, Mung rolls the whole lot together with a practiced skill. The result: a California roll, a staple of any sushi menu.
"Some people say it's art," said Mung, 51, a Burmese man who moved to Erie in 1999.
Like any artist, Mung is hoping his creations pay off. He opened his restaurant, Sushi and Asian Cuisine, in a small space at 1014 State St. earlier this month, hoping to cater to hungry professionals and college students and capitalize on what local chefs say is the growing popularity of sushi here.

pj3000 · #**258** Posted **May 25, 2011, 9:51 PM**

^ Burmese sushi, huh? At a place called "Sushi and Asian Cuisine"?

I think I'll pass, thank you.

pj3000 · #**259** Posted **May 27, 2011, 1:45 AM**

Brand new apartments in the Little Italy neighborhood of Erie. These are reminiscent of what Erie's original rowhouse neighborhoods clustered around the lower east and west sides looked like, and of which very few remain (victims of the Mill Creek flood of 1915 and the wrecking ball).

New 2011 rowhouses:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110217/NEWS02/302179857

Rowhouses from the 1830s:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/linda_d/

pj3000 · #**260** Posted **May 27, 2011, 1:58 AM**

Dickson Tavern; on national register; thought to be Erie's oldest standing building, built around 1810 or 1811... just before Perry oversaw the building of the US Naval Fleet in Erie.

Proposed renovations maintaining original design:

www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009311059905