Why don’t Reading leaders invest in the people who live in
the city?
It seems the economic development strategy in Reading has
been to try to lure people from far away, with projects such as the GoggleWorks
arts center, GoggleWorks apartments, hockey games, oldies concerts, fancy
restaurants, and luxury hotels.
I am no urban-planning expert, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Businesses are not flocking to bask in the allure of these high-price projects. Quiznos, across the street
from the downtown arena, closed in November after 10 years. At the other end of
town, the retail space around the IMAX movie theater remains empty.
But wait! There is economic development going on!
For example, the Reading Eagle newspaper had a story about Jing Zhang, 40, who opened a second Chinese restaurant in Reading, the Reading China
Buffet at Eighth and Oley streets.
"This has become a really popular shopping area with a
lot of traffic," Zhang said. "It's not like it was before when the
buildings were empty. … With two Spanish supermarkets nearby, I saw a great
opportunity here."
What sparked the commercial revival in the former outlet neighborhood -- including a taqueria and daycare -- was something built for people who live nearby – a supermarket.
Developer Alan Shuman started the project in January 2008 on
what had been a parking lot.
Downtown Reading pulses with people walking and vehicles cruising
through all day. Why not try to help some local entrepreneurs develop some
businesses for them?
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