An example to learn from. The demise of Main Street in most every town and city across the US. I´ve seen this in so many states and since the early 1970´s. Shopping Malls and Taxes are the principal culprit. Along with population declines in the cities. Again, property taxes have a hand in this decline (Property taxes are considerably less in townships). I suggest the City of Butler attract business redevelopment of the downtown by assessing greatly reduced tax rates for businesses. Point in case is the old Bank located at Main and East Jefferson, it is for sale at a remarkably cheap price, but the property taxes are astronomical to the point of being absurd. What good does a DEAD downtown do for the City and its citizens. No good at all! I can´t remember the last year anyone built any new home in the city limits. Every house in Butler is old, very old, and many of them are decrepit looking sticks of antiquated timber. How does the City propose to modernise it´s housing? Maintaining a higher than township tax rate for such small building lots is more than ridiculous. I truly hope the City actively promotes redevelopment of new housing by reducing property taxes, low cost building permits, and LEAD its citizens into a future and not let the City continue to slip into the spiralling downturn we all have seen these past 40 plus years. Further, it would help to insist state offices, such as the DMV and Social Security be located in the downtown area, Taxes are why the only hotels are located on the outskirts. Why not a decent hotel brand downtown? Give businesses an oppurtunity with tax incentives and cheap rates. I would rather stay at a downtown Hampton Inn or Marriott than be miles from nowhere or next to the sewer treatment plant. As for the PENN Theater, that will come back when jobs return to the downtown area and only when businesses can afford to make it feasible to work.
I'll tell you one of the reasons why downtown Butler's dead: I'll more gladly walk around Manhattan, downtown DC, or a dozen other places at 2:30 in the morning coming home from a bar, show, or what have you than walk back to my car in Butler at the same time. There's too many shady people and not enough witnesses around.
Very well said Antonia. I've been away from Butler for going on 30 years now and so I've got little insight for those who've remained in my beloved hometown. Someday, somehow the "community leaders" must take a fiscal path such as the one you suggest... or else.
10/10/2013 - Strand Theater Receives Large Donation - Click here to print this information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non-profit group leading the revitalization of the Strand Theater in Zelienople has received a $100,000 grant from an anonymous donor, officials announced.
The theater in the 100 block of Main Street, reopened in 2009 following $2.5 million in renovations.
Officials with the Strand Theater Initiative plan to use the gift to pay off the mortgage on property it owns at 121 N. Main St., so the monthly payments that were being made can go into a Capital Campaign fund.
The group has developed a $6.5 million plan to expand the theater's back-stage area to accommodate larger productions, build a two-level parking deck and add space for a multi-purpose center, officials said.
8 comments:
Wasn't this project derailed when a leader of the not-for-profit enterprise ran into legal trouble?
It is a shame that there is not a group in Butler like thy have in Zelienople. A little bit of pride sure does and would help
An example to learn from. The demise of Main Street in most every town and city across the US. I´ve seen this in so many states and since the early 1970´s. Shopping Malls and Taxes are the principal culprit. Along with population declines in the cities. Again, property taxes have a hand in this decline (Property taxes are considerably less in townships). I suggest the City of Butler attract business redevelopment of the downtown by assessing greatly reduced tax rates for businesses. Point in case is the old Bank located at Main and East Jefferson, it is for sale at a remarkably cheap price, but the property taxes are astronomical to the point of being absurd. What good does a DEAD downtown do for the City and its citizens. No good at all! I can´t remember the last year anyone built any new home in the city limits. Every house in Butler is old, very old, and many of them are decrepit looking sticks of antiquated timber. How does the City propose to modernise it´s housing? Maintaining a higher than township tax rate for such small building lots is more than ridiculous. I truly hope the City actively promotes redevelopment of new housing by reducing property taxes, low cost building permits, and LEAD its citizens into a future and not let the City continue to slip into the spiralling downturn we all have seen these past 40 plus years. Further, it would help to insist state offices, such as the DMV and Social Security be located in the downtown area, Taxes are why the only hotels are located on the outskirts. Why not a decent hotel brand downtown? Give businesses an oppurtunity with tax incentives and cheap rates. I would rather stay at a downtown Hampton Inn or Marriott than be miles from nowhere or next to the sewer treatment plant. As for the PENN Theater, that will come back when jobs return to the downtown area and only when businesses can afford to make it feasible to work.
I'll tell you one of the reasons why downtown Butler's dead: I'll more gladly walk around Manhattan, downtown DC, or a dozen other places at 2:30 in the morning coming home from a bar, show, or what have you than walk back to my car in Butler at the same time. There's too many shady people and not enough witnesses around.
Very well said Antonia. I've been away from Butler for going on 30 years now and so I've got little insight for those who've remained in my beloved hometown. Someday, somehow the "community leaders" must take a fiscal path such as the one you suggest... or else.
10/10/2013 - Strand Theater Receives Large Donation - Click here to print this information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non-profit group leading the revitalization of the Strand Theater in Zelienople has received a $100,000 grant from an anonymous donor, officials announced.
The theater in the 100 block of Main Street, reopened in 2009 following $2.5 million in renovations.
Officials with the Strand Theater Initiative plan to use the gift to pay off the mortgage on property it owns at 121 N. Main St., so the monthly payments that were being made can go into a Capital Campaign fund.
The group has developed a $6.5 million plan to expand the theater's back-stage area to accommodate larger productions, build a two-level parking deck and add space for a multi-purpose center, officials said.
"FOR SALE" signs @ PENN ~ What up with that!
Saw so many great movies there as a kid, such a shame.
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