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Economic Development
Many of you who commented on the last post were debating whether or not Coatesville should have allowed a gas-fired power plant to be built on the Flats. Although the city has pretty much rejected that idea, I wonder just how much the economic downturn will have to say about what, if anything, ultimately ends up on the Flats.
There's been a lot of talk among local politicians about making Chester County into a center for alternative energy. I wonder if it might be worth trying to persuade manufacturers of solar panels and wind turbines to set up shop in the Coatesville area. There's no reason manufacturing and a booming main street cannot co-exist. In fact, they probably complement each other. Although I'm still getting to know the city, longtime residents keep telling be about how amazing Lincoln Highway was when the steel plants were booming.
There's been a lot of talk among local politicians about making Chester County into a center for alternative energy. I wonder if it might be worth trying to persuade manufacturers of solar panels and wind turbines to set up shop in the Coatesville area. There's no reason manufacturing and a booming main street cannot co-exist. In fact, they probably complement each other. Although I'm still getting to know the city, longtime residents keep telling be about how amazing Lincoln Highway was when the steel plants were booming.
posted by Daily Local at
9:30 AM
12 Comments:
There isn't enough room in Coatesville for a wind or a solar project, even if the whole city were flattened. This is not a viable option.
I'm not talking about putting up turbines and solar panels. I'm talking about making them. We can put them on one of those farms that otherwise would become a McMansion complex.
There is a city council meeting tonight 11/10/08, come on out and hear what's up. last time 3 city council members were out, hopefully they will show up this time. there are only a couple more meetings for this year!
Dan,
That would be a great idea if the makers of those items could be sold on Coatesville. Any company manufacturing anything would be a godsend to Coatesville. I am old enough to remember how wonderful Coatesville was when Lukens Steel Company employed 5000 men and women. Downtown Coatesville was a safe place to shop and the stores prospered. There was a Sears and JC Penney's along with numerous locally-owned retailers. The mill's demise and the move to suburban malls changed Coatesville's landscape dramatically and quite negatively.
Of course, the question I would ask is "what positives does Coatesville have to lure any manufacturing to locate there?" Cheap land, cheap labor? The housing inventory is old and much of it is run-down. The crime problem (or perceived crime problem) will continue to keep developers and business people looking elsewhere. So how do you attract nice, clean industry to Coatesville? In this economy? These are the questions that will have to be answered (and quickly) before the City is seized by the State.
By the way, were any of those 14 guns submitted under the Church's amnesty program in working order? If not, will $100 buy a new one? Nobody in their right mind gives up a working gun in Coatesville; it might be needed to save your life.
My understanding is that the guns did not have to be in working condition. Even if guns do not work, they can be used in robberies and assaults. The gun amnesty event organizers told me they wanted to get functioning and non-functioning guns off the street.
It would be amazing if they put in a solar panel or wind turbine manufacturing plant anywhere near Coatesville. This city needs more jobs in a bad way, and it's even better if they are green jobs, and not a nasty power plant.
Coatesville should be happy if anyone wnats to put a plant in their town. What does Coatesville have to offer? Cheap labor, Mexico is cheaper, college educated work force? Think not. You should all start planting mushrooms to complete with Kennett Square
I would not be happy to see a plant in my area. Not every person in this town is a thug. Actually, cheap run down housing or not, sooner or later, everyone is going to decide they want a piece of it. I wish it would be sooner, but with the powers that be wanting to line main street with help for low to no income projects, a real working person is at a loss these days.
Seems that more than half of the town has some beautiful houses here. We just cannot come outside due to the fact the the quality of life in this town is determined by the element that prides itself on the thug life and mentality.
Mr. Walker and officers and officials, please step up to the plate and provide an alternate to the current lack of service and over taxation that "WORKING" people are sick and tired of.
Oh, cameras in council. How about some real "community service" uptown instead of what's considered community service now. It's a no brainer to point a camera on a speaker.
Well I'm concerned that today's Daily Local has Walker announcing that the Fresh Grocer is looking at the flats for a possible store. The reviews online aren't that great. The concern I have is that once again we go for a grade B grocery store vs. an Acme/Giant/Superfresh etc. Further Mosaic is saying that it needs Coatesville to help with new roads and construction in order to make the re-development work for the Flats. If we have no money then how does that in fact happen? This is like a bad dream that never ends. I wonder if we could get state funding from Harrisburg to assist? Just an idea.
Everyone needs to get over the notion that the City of Coatesville can turn itself into a nice place to live. The city is a disgrace. There are two, half-decent places to live in the city. 12th-13th Avenue and West Chester Road. And trust me, you are taking a risk by moving onto 12th or 13th Ave with the way the city has been going downhill. Coatesville needs to bring in a population that out-number the current. Maybe work on bringing a College or University to town. Hope that graduates stick around to work where they got their degree, if we incent business to come into town in the interim.
Question - What percentage of people living in Coatesville have a college degree? Try not to laugh too hard when thinking of the answer.
You can't just bring business to a city and expect it to thrive. Who in their right mind would go to Coatesville to grab a bite to eat at 9:00 at night, like you would and could in West Chester. The city is not safe. How about police on bicycles, instead of cars? Riding up and down Lincoln Highway to keep the walking patrons safe...
Someone needs to start thinking outside the box on how to bring a smarter population of people to Coatesville.
Who in their right mind would bring their family into Coatesville if you did not have to??? Harry and our council are perfect examples of how to keep a city down - keep uneducated and/or clueless people in power. As the city rots in crime and poverty, members of council skip meetings and Harry continues to sound like a community organizer instead of a city planner. They all need to go and we need to start over - again! Thanks Harry - for nothing.
Police up and down Lincoln Highway. Yeah, they do that already. Most of us do not live on Lincoln Highway, we actually live on other streets.
And some of us are educated. Yes, beyond good old CASH. Problem is, there are no activities that would bring us out of our houses most days. There are only plans for more non profits and organizations to help some not all. Help me, like a tax break for a taxpayer.
To help is the true Christian way, but again as someone else said, there is enough help already. How about helping the taxpaying citizens of the city. Foreign concept perhaps, but it just might work.
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