The West Ward's Simon Silk Mill on 13th & Bushkill
Below is an article on latest developments in the Silk Mill project:
Express Times Article by Ed Sieger on Silk Mill Project
Noel Jones
Neighbors of Easton
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Latest on the Silk Mill
Below is an article on latest developments in the Silk Mill project:
Express Times Article by Ed Sieger on Silk Mill Project
Noel Jones
Neighbors of Easton
Posts
10 comments:
some good ideas. I really hope something comes of it. the 'boulevard'is necessary because right now access is the problem.
I wonder how long until Easton Metal is forced out as being 'non-compliant'. I am glad they are in business as they provide a necessary and valuable service, but their yard is a mess.
Very exciting plans! I was so glad to learn, at the recent evening event, that the property is now in the stewardship of the City of Easton. It's way too valuable a treasured resource to trust to the ever-changing whims of the commerical marketplace.
Whatever the final reality years hence, I hope that working artists will find space there within which to create. The scale of the complex could generate creative artistic projects that would otherwise be too limited by too-few cubic feeet.
To think a great future for this complex awaits us, right here in the West Ward, is a cause for much hope! Let's be sure to not squander this intact mega-resource on too small a vision! Better to 'landbank' it if the time's not right for something of major east-coast or global significance.
What I wonder is how receptive developers will be to the idea of spending their money with someone else in control of it. This is not my area of expertise, so Tim and Dennis, I'd love to get your feedback--since you're architects--on the likelihood of pulling that off.
GREAT project! A question was asked about access to the West Ward and the city officials said they are applying for grants to update the entire 13th street interchange and better pedestrian access to the west ward was a priority and one opf the main reasons for the upgrade. Thanks.
A concept like this can really work out. The roaster that roasts coffee for Cosmic Cup is housed in an old candy factory, and the place looks great and is pretty full, with a variety of interesting businesses.
http://www.hopeartistevillage.com/home.php
Noel,
I know I'm way overdue for a spiel on the Mill and I will get into that when I get back from Virginia on Friday. I did attend the public input meeting on the Silk Mill on Monday night (and the one on the new transit facility the week before). I'll also have some rail news soon too...need to confirm what I can and can't talk about first. Stay tuned.
Troy...still waiting for that link to the Buy Local campaign video my friend.
DRL
Still not sure if developers will be willing to hand over their money to the City's control, but if they are, I just hope that the businesses that go into the Silk Mill are related and create a bit of a circular economy in addition to drawing business from the outside, to encourage sustainability.
I love the idea of a cultural arts center--what writer wouldn't? But I wonder, if being situated on the Bushkill, and being that we also have two major rivers converging in Easton, if it wouldn't make more sense to set up a plaza of businesses that cater to fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, bird-watching, hiking, camping, biking, hunting, etc? All of those kinds of stores would make sense being situated together, on the Bushkill, which is famous for trout fishing, and will soon have the completed hiking and biking trails running along it...
first, i worry about the brown trout in the creek. Their numbers have been declining for a number of years. There is a need to be careful when making changes to the property such as a road with runoff that the ecological balance of the creek is not disturbed.
second, the proposed vision of an arts related development is unique. Such a development won't be easy for such a massive space. It can work. I looked at other successful models. There are not many, if any, private developers who do that type of work. Successful models seem to be built around a non=profit which brings together private and public funding. I would expect that such a development will take a long time. who's in a rush anyway.
Your thoughts on recreational uses and related businesses are important. At this point no one can really judge the direction of this development.
I am not sure where the idea about "city control" comes from. I listened to many of the fine points made and attended almost all of the meetings and the only "control" the city will ultimately have is to find developers willing to invest in the vision that our community developed for the mill site.
I also know that the mayor said a dozen times that the goal of the city is to do the due diligewnce that any developer would need to do befoire committing to the project.
I really don't see city control as an issue but I am sure glad the city in the owner because yes, it can control who the developer is and what is ultimately the use. I believe the city and the redevel;opment authority are on the right track.
I am confused.
Normally you hand the project over to the developer and say give us your plans.
It seems in this situation we have written more rules for the developers to effect control on the outcome. Must keep buildings, must seek only one kind of occupant. Developers don't normally survive in that controlled environment.
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