(Latest post in a series about Neighborhoods)
Dana Grubb is a lifelong resident of the City of Bethlehem who worked 27 years for the City of Bethlehem in the department of community and economic development, as sealer of weights and measures, housing rehabilitation finance specialist, grants administrator, acting director of community and economic development, and deputy director of community development.
Gadfly,
Each of these [Boyd Theater, Starter’s, Banana Factory] is a worthwhile project, but as I was constantly reminded by Members of Council and others during my 16 years managing all grants received by the City of Bethlehem, it’s still taxpayers’ money that’s being doled out to private entities. In the case of RCAP, bonds are floated that need to be repaid by Pennsylvania taxpayers, so the gift of grants also triggers a responsibility to repay. In the case of housing at the Boyd Theater location I absolutely agree that “affordable” units should be in the mix especially since public $$ are subsidizing it. A blend of rental ranges must be a priority.
Dana
