ERIE | Development Projects Thread

[jFug]

Originally Posted by pj3000

While recently in Erie, I noticed that renovations to the Addison-Leech House on West 6th St. have been completed. Looks great.

I just wish while doing all of these historic renovations on West 6th, that they would leave the large trees. They all look so barren now, and will for a long time.

Wow, they look amazing!!!

[jFug]

A group of local African American leaders has been leading the task to rehabilitate lower Parade Street and the east side in general. The group known as "East Side Renaissance" has acquired 18 blight properties on or near Parade Street over the past few years.

They envision bringing a mainline grocery store to the neighborhood as well as other amenities.

Full article here:

https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/...-marcus-atkinson-matt-harris/6710965001/

[pj3000]

^ It would be wonderful to see downtown Erie re-build a main commercial district. There's ample opportunity for better development between 9th and 11th streets -- an opportunity to right the serious wrongs of the past. Looks like they've purchased some properties on both the east and west sides of Parade between 9th and 10th.

A big supermarket like a Wegmans, as mentioned in the article, is never going to happen in this area... and shouldn't, as it is not a compatible development type for an urban location.

[AKZips]

Originally Posted by pj3000

^ It would be wonderful to see downtown Erie re-build a main commercial district. There's ample opportunity for better development between 9th and 11th streets -- an opportunity to right the serious wrongs of the past. Looks like they've purchased some properties on both the east and west sides of Parade between 9th and 10th.

A big supermarket like a Wegmans, as mentioned in the article, is never going to happen in this area... and shouldn't, as it is not a compatible development type for an urban location.

Erie could use a centrally located Wegmans. They've built (or plan to build) locations in urban areas of Brooklyn, DC, Boston, Manhattan, etc. The thing is they are always built on the ground floor of a big redevelopment complex. It would make more sense in one of the Bayfront developments, but not on Parade Street. Heck they would be lucky to get a Tops or Giant Eagle to move in there. The area is just not appealing right now for a big chain supermarket.

[pj3000]

Originally Posted by AKZips

Erie could use a centrally located Wegmans. They've built (or plan to build) locations in urban areas of Brooklyn, DC, Boston, Manhattan, etc. The thing is they are always built on the ground floor of a big redevelopment complex. It would make more sense in one of the Bayfront developments, but not on Parade Street. Heck they would be lucky to get a Tops or Giant Eagle to move in there. The area is just not appealing right now for a big chain supermarket.

But Erie is not Brooklyn, DC, Boston, Manhattan, etc. by a very long shot, obviously.

If Wegmans was to open another store in Erie, I imagine it would be smaller-footprint store located in Harborcreek near Penn State-Behrend. I don't think Erie could support a centrally-located Wegmans.

Erie does not have the population (numbers and income levels) in its inner city to support a large, urban-format store, like one sees in cities with large "downtown" residential populations.

I'm not really sure why this group is talking about wanting to develop that style of supermarket in that downtown neighborhood anyway. Aside from the fact that it would require bulldozing blocks and blocks of houses and commercial buildings, there are already:

- multiple smaller markets on Parade Street
- Save-A-Lot supermarket
- Erie County Farms market
- Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Tops supermarket
- new market under construction on Perry Square
- market being planned on the bayfront

all within 2 miles of the stretch of Parade Street in question.


I think this organization might want to focus their efforts in another direction.

[AKZips]

Originally Posted by pj3000

But Erie is not Brooklyn, DC, Boston, Manhattan, etc. by a very long shot, obviously.

If Wegmans was to open another store in Erie, I imagine it would be smaller-footprint store located in Harborcreek near Penn State-Behrend. I don't think Erie could support a centrally-located Wegmans.

Erie does not have the population (numbers and income levels) in its inner city to support a large, urban-format store, like one sees in cities with large "downtown" residential populations.

I'm not really sure why this group is talking about wanting to develop that style of supermarket in that downtown neighborhood anyway. Aside from the fact that it would require bulldozing blocks and blocks of houses and commercial buildings, there are already:

- multiple smaller markets on Parade Street
- Save-A-Lot supermarket
- Erie County Farms market
- Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Tops supermarket
- new market under construction on Perry Square
- market being planned on the bayfront

all within 2 miles of the stretch of Parade Street in question.


I think this organization might want to focus their efforts in another direction.

My point exactly. Just like the West Erie Plaza group tried to lure Trader Joes, these guys will find that successful grocery stores are strategic and know what they are doing.

Even if by some miracle Wegmans opened in Downtown/East Erie. There's no way people in those neighborhoods will chose to shop there over the significantly cheaper Elm Street Walmart, Tops and SaveALot. That's nothing against the residents of that neighborhood. Because I myself live in in the middle of the city and only go to Wegmans because my wife loves it.

[jFug]

I definitely think the Lower East Side could support an Aldi or Lidl type grocery store. Small footprint, (more) affordable.

.......

But on the topic of grocery stores, the Flagship City Public Market opens March 15. Erie Food Co-op, Gordon's Meat Market, and Luminary Distillery will be opening there soon.

https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/...-gordons-luminary-distilling/9228753002/

Erie Insurance will be renovating the exterior of it's main office building on the east side of Perry Square.

https://www.goerie.com/story/business/20...on-more-community-investment/9158611002/



And on a sweeter note, the downtown Rita's has finally opened!

https://www.goerie.com/story/entertainme...-dawn-van-scoter-jeff-theiss/6849632001/

[pj3000]

Just noticed this... Looks like the favored design for the pedestrian bridge over the Bayfront Parkway at Holland Street is the cable-stayed version. Good news!

More renderings in the link. Looks great -- will be a prominent feature on the skyline.

PennDOT shares sneak peak of planned pedestrian bridge on Holland Street

https://www.yourerie.com/news/penndot-sh...on-holland-street/?ipid=PennDOT-Holland1

With public comment and city officials favoring a cable-stayed pedestrian bridge at Holland Street for the Bayfront Parkway Project, PennDOT has shared new renderings of the bridge.

The pedestrian bridge would cross at Holland Street. Public meetings have gathered input on the proposals, and the recently shared renderings allow the public a more detailed view.

“We went to the public in the fall and we showed them six different possibilities for that bridge to gather feedback on which they found appealing, and that was the most popular one,” said PennDOT press officer Jill Harry. “What we presented before was ‘It could be a cable-stayed bridge,’ but this is a little more detailed and gives a little more rounded view of how it could appear when it’s complete. It’s a more in-depth look.”

PennDOT continues to accept public input, however Harry said the cable-stayed pedestrian bridge at Holland Street is a fairly set vision.

“That is the direction we’re going,” Harry said. “We’ve worked with the city and we’ve gathered information from the public. The city is the one that’s going to own the bridge when it’s completed, and this was what they desired, so at this point it is the general plan that what we’re doing is the cable-stayed bridge.”

[pj3000]

Seems unnecessary, but whatever...

I'd rather see them spending their petty cash on developing their collection of surface parking lots in the downtown area.

[pj3000]

Well... leave it to Scott Enterprises to cheese and cheapen it up.

Most interesting to me is the proposed location... so if the tower is to be built adjacent to the library/smokestack, and the line crosses Front Street, and the landing spot is next to where the beer garden is... well, that tells me that ain't no 2nd hotel gettin' built!

Zipline, miniature golf course planned for Erie's east bayfront

https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/...-zipline-mini-golf-bayfront/65345629007/

Scott Enterprises wants to bring a new zipline — which would cross over East Front Street and offer riders elevated views of Presque Isle Bay — to its Harbor Place complex on the city’s east bayfront.

The Soaring Eagle zipline, which would descend from a 130-foot tower located near the Bayfront Parkway, is one of two major new amenities Scott Enterprises plans for the Harbor Place property, which includes the Hampton Inn & Suites at 130 E. Front St.

The company also plans a new landscaped miniature golf course on the northern end of the Harbor Place property, which is part of a $150 million, multiyear development.

Scott said the zipline's exact location on the Harbor Place property could change slightly.

Scott Enterprises must obtain an aerial easement from the city because the zipline would travel over Front Street. Easements allow businesses to encroach upon a portion of the public sidewalk or the public right-of-way.

Additionally, a height variance would be required under city zoning rules because the zipline tower would be roughly 130 feet high.

Landing location of proposed zipline:


Sanford, who is helping Scott Enterprises develop both projects, said according to initial plans the 500-foot-long bayfront zipline would load riders from a 25-foot platform at the northern end of the Harbor Place property, near Oliver’s Beer Garden, and “pull backwards up to the high point, then release them and come back down.

Preliminary plans call for the 130-foot-high zipline tower to be erected at the southern end of the Harbor Place property, adjacent to the Blasco Library and near the 200-foot smokestack, built in 1917, that was once part of a coal-burning Penelec plant.

The miniature golf course, located near the water’s edge, would have “a nautical theme” and be heavily landscaped, with a new ticket booth/clubhouse.

Nearby surface parking lots would also be expanded to accommodate both projects, Sanford said.

[Butternut]

Originally Posted by pj3000

Well... leave it to Scott Enterprises to cheese and cheapen it up.

Most interesting to me is the proposed location... so if the tower is to be built adjacent to the library/smokestack, and the line crosses Front Street, and the landing spot is next to where the beer garden is... well, that tells me that ain't no 2nd hotel gettin' built!

Zipline, miniature golf course planned for Erie's east bayfront

https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/...-zipline-mini-golf-bayfront/65345629007/

A bad idea on many levels.

[DFWCC8]

Guess they're thinking mini Atl City Boardwalk or similar. The 2nd hotel as I recall was to be a twin of the 1st just to the East of the current. I think there is room to slide pass the hotel to west of the current hotel.
I'm surprised they are double seat chairs. I took one in the Nat'l Park in Costa Rica. In that one you sat in a strap harness. You controlled the hand brake yourself and you better HOLD ON. Yeah.. that was a thrill.

[Butternut]

Originally Posted by pj3000

Just noticed this... Looks like the favored design for the pedestrian bridge over the Bayfront Parkway at Holland Street is the cable-stayed version. Good news!

More renderings in the link. Looks great -- will be a prominent feature on the skyline.

PennDOT shares sneak peak of planned pedestrian bridge on Holland Street

https://www.yourerie.com/news/penndot-sh...on-holland-street/?ipid=PennDOT-Holland1

I like this a lot... it will be really nice to see some modern architecture in Erie.

[AKZips]

Originally Posted by DFWCC8

Guess they're thinking mini Atl City Boardwalk or similar. The 2nd hotel as I recall was to be a twin of the 1st just to the East of the current. I think there is room to slide pass the hotel to west of the current hotel.
I'm surprised they are double seat chairs. I took one in the Nat'l Park in Costa Rica. In that one you sat in a strap harness. You controlled the hand brake yourself and you better HOLD ON. Yeah.. that was a thrill.

Sounds like it's the same type of zipline that Scott put in up at Peek'n Peak. It's small and has two seats in a suspended car, similar to a roller coaster. I always thought it was pretty lame because it just took people from one side of an open grassy area to another. The one you went on sounds way cooler.

Just seems like they are trying to add as many cheap attractions as possible to build up the area, without actually developing it. The hotel/Oliver's rooftop building is surprisingly nice for a Scott development. They promised shopping, offices, restaurants, ice skating rink, etc and instead give us a picnic area, mini golf and zipline? Talk about a letdown.

[pj3000]

Originally Posted by Butternut

I like this a lot... it will be really nice to see some modern architecture in Erie.

Hopefully, there will be a matching one on the west bayfront.

Originally Posted by AKZips

Just seems like they are trying to add as many cheap attractions as possible to build up the area, without actually developing it. The hotel/Oliver's rooftop building is surprisingly nice for a Scott development. They promised shopping, offices, restaurants, ice skating rink, etc and instead give us a picnic area, mini golf and zipline? Talk about a letdown.

Maybe Scott is hearkening back to his roots: "Fun Town on the Bay"... or maybe "Fun Town at Harborplace" ?



I understand the desire to add attractions to bring people to the area... it's a way to increase business at their bars/restaurants. It's just that the types of attractions that are being proposed are carnival-atmosphere, small-time —. What's next waterfront go-karts? You build for a certain crowd, you get a certain crowd.

Erie has a world-class waterfront location... and unfortunately, the guy and family that own a good chunk of the central portion of it want to fill it with low-level garbage.

But, what do we expect from a budget motel and water park operator?

[DFWCC8]

Originally Posted by AKZips

Sounds like it's the same type of zipline that Scott put in up at Peek'n Peak. It's small and has two seats in a suspended car, similar to a roller coaster. I always thought it was pretty lame because it just took people from one side of an open grassy area to another. The one you went on sounds way cooler.

Just seems like they are trying to add as many cheap attractions as possible to build up the area, without actually developing it. The hotel/Oliver's rooftop building is surprisingly nice for a Scott development. They promised shopping, offices, restaurants, ice skating rink, etc and instead give us a picnic area, mini golf and zipline? Talk about a letdown.

This was a fantastic vacation that included a full day of white water rafting. Repelling through 40' waterfalls, Ziplining amid the treetops over ravines and seemingly creaky old cable wire bridges. I survived ... Ha ha

[jFug]

The expERIEnce Children's Museum will break ground today on their $15M expansion project that will be built upon the space at the corner of E. 5th and French St.

https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/462355...eum-to-break-ground-on-expansion-project

[pj3000]

Kinda liking the Warner Theater like it is right now, with the dark blue-gray underwrap rather than the red and beige striped paneling they're going to install

[DFWCC8]

Tom Hagen is at it again. He has worked continuously to revitalize Erie's "Millionaire's Row" West 6th st.
See his latest Video by WJET ch 24 in Erie.

https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/historic-homes-preserved-for-local-university/

[pj3000]

^ Cool. I was beginning to worry about that house on the corner -- was getting pretty shabby.

Gannon University should have done a better job of upkeep with some of their properties in the neighborhood... sounds like they're getting a free ride to renovate and continue to utilize those buildings.

Especially interesting is that they are going to move this house from West 7th to West 6th (where Wherle Hall now sits)!