vacant buildings in tyrone

[My2Cents]

We need a brand spanking new, state of the art, well known, something you just can't pass by or refuse, Supermarket/Grocery Store. Right down town, with parking lot and all !! One that not only offers all kinds of food and fresh produce but also has other things such as, greeting cards, books, flowers, bakery, a coffee shop type restaurant, and all that other "real good stuff." I'm not talking about another one of those save this, and save that, previously frozen, get 'em while they last, or before they expire, type stores. I mean a biggy with everything, but, the kitchen sink...as long as they are well known chain and will be lasting around here for many, many, years to come.

So - Tyrone needs a SUPERWALMART! :fogey: :flag: :hail: :bluebounce:

No BB, there is enough of those around here !! I mean a well known, top of the line, supermarket/grocery store with extra trimmin's, but, not those kinda' trimmin's. A supermarket/grocery store that becomes part of our town. Not some conglomerate moving in and taking over.

[BeachBiker]

...
No BB, there is enough of those around here !!...

Yea - of course, it was a joke. There are SIX Super WalMarts within 15 miles of my house. With one more under construction, and another in the planning stages. I'd gladly send at least one up there if i could - and if it would help.

On the serious side, the same basic vacant-building and other thread-discussed problems existed in Tyrone when I moved away from town...

...almost 25 years ago.

[My2Cents]

25 years +/- is a long time of the just thinkin' and not doing. Like everything else, money is most likely the reason. The town has to strike it rich !! So, how about this; Stretching from the corner of 10th Street, up PA AVE to the bridge, have a Casino Royale and Hotel, with Burley's Restaurant included in with the whole shabang. Have it look, and function, just like the one in LasVegas. Check it out in the Wikipedia.
We could call it the "Canteen Casino," or, "The Whistle Stop." During WWII, the "Canteen" was located right along that area... it was a very busy, well known place during those years. Have it take up that whole block, in the front and back, sitting atop a parking garage. If it floods, there would be no problems. Hey, there is a bank right across the bridge and one across the street.
Set it up so that all the profits go back into the system for the whole town's benefit, after the bills are paid. It would probably cost a lot of money to get started, BUT, ... I bet it would make a lot of money for Tyrone in the end.
People will come out of the woodwork to play those slot machines and shoot the dice.... AND, they will have fun doing it.
Gambleing is legal in PA., why not take advantage of it ??

[150thBucktailCo.I]

Gambleing is legal in PA., why not take advantage of it ??

Nice dream. But that will never happen.

1) Given it's proximity to Penn State, there have already been ethical issues brought up in the legislature and with the Gaming Control Board about the largest student body in PA being suckered into a "get rich quick" lifestyle. He11, the college students have a difficult enough time maintain credit card balances.

2) The majority of visitors to the casino would probably be local citizens within a 100 mile radius of Tyrone, i.e. the heart of Pennsylvania. There isn't a large out of state tourism draw to this area other than Penn State Football. The state government wants the casinos near the borders and near major metropolitan areas to draw tourists/visitors/money from other states. And those casinos are already battling states like NJ, NY, and WV (possibly MD soon) that already have gambling. Because of that, expect the legislature and PGCB to expand the casinos from just slot machines to include table games quite soon.

3) You think the drugs/gangs/crime is getting bad now... just imagine what it would be like with a casino in town. The percentage of "winners" in and around a casino are quite low... really low.

4) I know for a fact that Sen. Eichelberger would not support a casino in the 30th district, and I believe Rep. Stern also would not support that. Nor would the churches/civic groups in the area.


The only way the Boro of Tyrone is going to be able to make something happen is to either clean out or renovate the old, dead areas and prepare space for new. And that's going to cost money.

Just beware of selling your soul for pennies on the dollar... like on windmills!

[My2Cents]

Yes, you're right Bucktail... besides, if Eichelberger would shoot it down, then it's a fact that it is definitely not the way to go. He, above all, knows what he is talking about. Guess I'll just go on dreaming...

[Harlow]

I have suggested this before.

How about Bulldozing 1/2 of Pennsylvania Avenue. Go to PSU and offer it as a Research facility and make it a KOZ for 10 years.

Cheaper to live in the Tyrone area and also brings tax dollars and other money into the community.

[My2Cents]

I have suggested this before.

How about Bulldozing 1/2 of Pennsylvania Avenue. Go to PSU and offer it as a Research facility and make it a KOZ for 10 years.

Cheaper to live in the Tyrone area and also brings tax dollars and other money into the community.

I can understand your reasoning and, yes, that would be a great idea. I'm sure over time it would/could work. However, implimenting something like that would cause "Big Brother" to come in here, take over, and tell us what to do.
If we can be assured that something like that would not happen, and if it were set up for 10 years, and/or until completion, it would certainly be something to look into.

[banksy]

You aren't going to get anything for free, and Tyrone certainly can't afford to do anything with the vacants on their own, so you have to give somewhere. There's no magic out there.

[80cobra]

Bucktail you always want to bash Glenn Ray, what about S&A homes they havent done much of anything with the Lincoln School, and if I lived near by it I would be concerned. Its a mess around the place. People take over these places like Glenn Ray and after what 2 or 3 years of sitting vacant its like, lets get something done right now. Come on now our government wants things done fast but when it comes to them it takes forever [ I99 for example] I know Glenn personally I think he'll try to do the right thing. It doesnt happen over night. Lets face it nobody else took over ownership of the building ,so who knows how long it would have set vacant without any thing even happening.

[anne onimous1]

I agree with 80Cobra. The boro was in no hurry to get anything done with the Y because they couldn't afford it. Glenn took a huge burden off of the taxpayers of Tyrone. The asbestos (removal and disposal) will likely cost more than the building. All is yet to be seen. The borough should be at least as patient with Ray as Tyroners have been with the borough.

[150thBucktailCo.I]

Bucktail you always want to bash Glenn Ray, what about S&A homes they havent done much of anything with the Lincoln School, .....

Dude... do you even take the time to fully read what I (or anyone else for that matter) write, or do you just skim? Go back re-read the 2nd entry (March 14, my first post) of this thread FULLY.

As far as bashing Glenn Ray, show me exactly where I have bashed him?

[150thBucktailCo.I]

I agree with 80Cobra. The boro was in no hurry to get anything done with the Y because they couldn't afford it. Glenn took a huge burden off of the taxpayers of Tyrone. The asbestos (removal and disposal) will likely cost more than the building. All is yet to be seen. The borough should be at least as patient with Ray as Tyroners have been with the borough.

1) Refering back to the building prior to the flooding, perhaps if the previous Boro Code Enforcement officer (and/or Dept. of Labor and Industry) had done actual and complete regular code inspections and enforcements of the YMCA prior to the flooding, a good portion of that building would not have been initially condemned following the devasting L and I inspection. The Boro either ignored or conveniently forgot about that building, in my opinion. The problems that resulted in the condemnation don't occur overnight. Now, perhaps the YMCA administration couldn't afford the needed and required upgrades so therefore the Boro was no hurry to force the YMCA to do anything about it. However, look at the result of where it got them.

Why shouldn't the Boro be in hurry again? Do I need to reiterate the issues surrounding the exterior of that building that pose a potential public threat? (Please refer to the Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:09 am post) Should the boro go slow on that other eyesore, public hazard at the corner across from M and T and the library?

2) No burden has been lifted off of the taxpayers of Tyrone as long as the building is a public nuisance in a very public part of the town. Again, much like that building across from M and T and the library.

3) Tyroners haven't been patient with the Boro. Mr. Latchford said himself this on the YMCA - use of building by Bill Latchford on Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:45 pm ---

I agree that the building should come down. I have heard nothing but people giving me heck about having to walk around it or look at it for a couple of years now.

Keep in mind the Jones building. All the efforts to raise monies for it were totally in vain. It kept it around for a couple more years for nothing. I do not mind keeping the past around as long as there is someone who is taking care of it and not creating something the entire community will have to deal with someday.

It all boils down to this, just be a responsible land owner and take care of your property.

And I'd be more than willing to bet that the Tyroners that haven't said anything either don't know anything about the issue or just don't care. All they see as they drive by is a chainlink fence blocking the sidewalk and a lift. I don't subscribe to silence as a determination of being "patient". Given the amount of people that do not live in the immediate vicinity, it's doesn't really affect them. However, to those that do, this building is an issue.

[anne onimous1]

I don't think the people of Tyrone are so ignorant that they don't notice the closed sidewalk, the deteriorating facade, etc. Rome wasn't built in a day and who knows what is in the works as far as the reconstruction/demolition is concerned. There will have to be a multitude of permits pulled for this project and perhaps state oversight of the project. I waited 3 mos. to get a permit to build a deck. Can't rush the government....state, local or federal.

[80cobra]

I heard that the ymca was considered as a site for the hotel. But to get the done deal they had to get the borough parking lots on both sides and Ellan Wallaces property, what I heard is she doesnt want to sell her property. Anyone else here this one?

[anne onimous1]

I don't know about the hotel issue but I think Ellen Wallace lives in Florida. It would be nice if she would be willing to sell her property if what you stated is in fact true.