Care for your community, great ideas, and true leadership can result in great things! Altoona is no exception. Write your ideas about virtually any topic pertaining to Altoona: ways to expand our culture or economy, improve City government, uplift our families and neighborhoods, or just general ideas about the community! How can we as a community make a positive impact? Please share your ideas (big or small) on how Altoona can become a better place.

Vacant Properties
There are many lots in Altoona that are sitting vacant since the homes that once stood there have been torn down. The rise in setting vacant/blighted homes on fire has drastically increased the amount of "empty space". Unfortunately it seems most of these are also in areas that are deemed "less than Desirable" to build upon.

There is also a need for affordable homes for those that may not qualify for a traditional mortgage. Habitat for humanity I know now builds homes instead of renovating existing houses. Why can there not be a partnership between the city and such organizations to use these lots to build new homes and new hope in these communities?

On 11th Street there is an entire 1/2 block sitting vacant while there are so many in need of a home in which to call their own. I just wish there was something being done to renovate these empty lots.

-- JB

Community survey
I read the article below titled community survey. I wanted to write to let you know that there is a county wide survey being done. There is a community partnership that United Way of Blair County and The Blair County Human Services are involved with. For additional information, I would call one of those office.

The surveys are looking at all aspects of the community including information from residents, youth, key leaders, government, etc. The survey is very extensive and is a continuous work in process.

--responding resident

Oh how true!
Hey Bill, I'm not so dictatorial as you about the whole problem in Altoona, but I must admit there were quite a few good points made there.

--Kevin

Clean up week
I walk three miles a day and see so much garbage in that small area. I'm sure the whole city could use a clean up week. The city could hand out a colored garbage bag(like orange) to individuals and groups that volunteer to clean an area. Then the city will pick up these colored bags from the side of the street. Also calls could be made to places like Blair Sign who have adjoining wooded areas that are filled with debris asking them to clean the area. I know you can't pick one day for this because of the weather and peoples busy schedules. Maybe it could even be for the month of April or May. Also Sheetz should be responsable for cleaning up all of the sheetz cups and lottery tickets in the 2 blocks around all of their stores.

--Sara

Prom Donation
I subscribe to the news letter for Nittany Weddings and a couple weeks ago I saw in there about donating prom and evening dresses, tuxes, jewelry, and shoes for the kids less fortunate to be able to buy everything expenses, I thought "wouldnt it be wonderful if we could get kids to do that in Altoona and Hollidaysburg - I still have my two prom dresses and I never even thought about selling them I just kept stuffing them into my attic further and further in a corner. We could get a bunch of volunteers, kids, or people from the schools in it and organize this donation.

--Laine

Seriously & Aggressively Eliminate Altoona's Drug Plague/Problem
For years, Altoona has been over plagued and under siege by an area wide drug epidemic; that's getting more and more out of control. It's insane. It's a crime. And it's inexcusable.

As far as who's to blame, well there's enough of that to go around. The primary blame for it goes to the empty headed, empty wigged, empty suits and skirts that have run Altoona's City Council and government for the last 4 decades. [They] TRIGGERED this drug epidemic with Mayor Robert Anthony's "Redevelopment" Program, which is hugely responsible, if not singularly responsible, for our area's viral drug epidemic.

Now, what you might ask led to our current drug epidemic nightmare? Well, first it was the City Government ... opening up the town so wide and making it so accessible with all of the highways, bi-ways, expressways, overpasses, underpasses, etc. that even the planets in our solar system can just roll right into town unabated. Next it was the Marriott Country Club half-way houses that the City Government charlatans allowed to be brought in here, along with the black market money making racketeering drug and alcohol detox centers and clinics. Then the Penn Alto Hotel, once our own version of the Waldorf Astoria, was permitted by the city pinheads to go from being our Waldorf Astoria, to a cross between The Carter in the movie "New Jack City" and the Bates Motel in the movie "Psycho". In other words, it's a psycho ward and a drug haven.
Then the local welfare state became a drug havened super sized super nanny welfare state, where probably 50% or more of the people on welfare in Altoona today, are drug dealers, addicts, etc. And then there was the extermination and destruction of Altoona's infrastructure, economy, job market, etc. via Mayor Anthony's "Redevelopment" Program in the late 1950’s, early 60’s and it has been continuously carried out by empty suits and skirts who've ran our city into the ground ever since.

No, we Altoonians are also to blame. In that we, over the years, have allowed the above mentioned things to occur. Now all of the efforts that have been made by our local police, Drug Task Force, etc. have been exemplary. But if you really want to eliminate our area drug problem completely or down to a trickle, you must immediately and permanently eliminate all of the drug magnets and here's how it must be done. NO IFs, ANDs, BUTs, Etc!

First, immediately kick out and permanently ban from our entire area all black market money making racket drug and alcohol detox and rehab centers and clinics, including Pyramid Healthcare. They're rackets that don't work. If you really want to get people off drugs, etc. completely and cure them, you lock them up in padded cells or rooms and make them go cold turkey! Period! Addictions to drugs, alcohol, etc. are not diseases. They are weaknesses of discipline, principles, character, morals, etc. Next, immediately kick out and permanently ban all country club half-way houses. They're country clubs, a.k.a. they are a joke. Next, gather up a battalion size army of Altoona, Logan Township, Blair County, and State Police along with the Drug Task Force, etc. Go into the rats nest known as the Penn Alto Hotel and clean it all out from top to bottom. Kick out, and imprison or clean up using above mentioned cold turkey method and put to work on a chain gang with honest wages paid all drug dealers, addicts, etc. in the Penn Alto. Then remodel the place inside and out and either re-designate it as a first class hotel or turn it into apartments for the elderly age 55 and older only. Next, clean out the local super sized, super nanny welfare state system. All persons illegally using, selling, dealing, etc. illegal drugs, OTC drugs, etc. are to be cut off from all welfare, free handouts, etc. across the board. Clean them up using the above mentioned cold turkey method. Put them to work cleaning toilets, sweeping sidewalks, etc. and pay them an honest wage. Or put them in jail. Then eliminate the insane skyrocketing city tax base, business codes and requirements, etc. that have made this town about as friendly to businesses as Nuremberg was to the Jews during Hitler reign of terror during World War II. Next double or triple the size of Altoona's police force and have a lot of police officers walk the beat again. Plus, permanently eliminate all road blocks, red tape, bull crap, etc. so that our police can conquer our area drug problem as aggressively as General Patton conquered the Nazis in World War II. And last but certainly not least, some serious reforms and changes must be made in regards to whom runs our city. Strict, mandatory screening of all men and women seeking office in our city government, which must include mandatory drug testing and screening prior to running for office, and on a weekly basis while in office. Because one never knows if any city government empty suit and skirt is cerebrally operating on all eight cylinders and with all of their cranial dogs barking. When you see the local charlatans making pinheaded decisions such as the ones mentioned above that led to our drug problem, it seriously makes one think that in the brains of our local bureaucrats, the light may be on, but nobody is home. Plus, there must be term limits in all City Council and government positions. There must also be a permanent mandatory clause in the law that states that if at any point while he or she is in office that we the voters don't like they job they're doing, decisions they're making, etc. that we can kick them right out of office and replace them with someone who will truly represent us, our interests, etc. Right now, we have a part time, half asleep city government that's a benign oligarchic dictatorship that doesn't represent the interests of we the people of Altoona, but the interests of their puppet masters: the special interest groups, big businesses, lobbyists, etc. in State College, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Plus we need to fully and permanently re-implement a full time working city government, because having a part time city government hasn't been working for us from day one. And that's because half the time the empty suits and skirts are just pushing papers, and then spend the other half playing 18 holes in their empty peg pants and skirts while drinking cold beers and sipping dry vodka martinis, shaken not stirred.

Anyhow, the above mentioned is how our area wide drug problem, plague and epidemic happened. Of course, the baby boomer generation's so called, beloved but truly disgusting, destructive and degenerate left wing drug riddled counter-culture, sexual, homosexual, unisexual revolutions etc. in the 60’s and 70’s certainly (and mostly) contributed and triggered not only our area's drug epidemic, etc. but America's too! Need I say more?

--Bill

LED Traffic Lights for Altoona & Logan Township
As seen on WTAJ (10 NEWS) I think Altoona Needs to get on the ball with saying hey we need to save our taxpayers money and switch all traffic lights to the LED Green Traffic light if taxpayers are paying $1000 per intersection (per month I believe) with the current traffic lights system and after converting to LED paying from $200-$300 per intersection that’s a huge difference as far as I am concerned especially when you think about how many traffic light intersections their are in Altoona & Logan Township that’s way to much many for taxpayers now I know there is a cost to covert the traffic lights over to LED but in a matter of I would say less then 2 years maybe even a year we are saving money and helping to save the environment by going Green! In my option LED Lights are much brighter and easier to see and we all know LED supposedly Last longer then a regular incandescent light bulbs.

-- Chris

Not crazy about outlets
I dont think outlets are the way to go, I have been to my share of outlet towns and I think it would hurt our strong retail shops in the area.

--Don

I Agree With Bored 16-20
I wholeheartedly agree with you about having nothing to do for your age group. I also have lived in Altoona all my life which has been a great deal longer than you!!!! I have no children of my own but have often said if I ever won the lottery the teens would have a place to go. Some Ideas and suggestions you might try... attend a city/town council meeting, write or go see your local state Rep., ask about Block Grants, research Grants/Sponsorships online, check out some empty buildings such as The Downtowner, Gold Gym, the old Panda bar, Woolworth's etc. Another thought may be to recruit your friends and maybe youth groups to help put up flyers for fundraisers or to help redecorate, And there is always the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, they have to do community service projects to earn badges and Eagle rank and such. I hope some of these thoughts are helpful to you and I wish you the best of luck, if I can help in any way please let me know.

Bebe

SAVE OUR BELOVED ROOSEVELT JUNIOR HIGH FROM DESTRUCTION!!!!
A Miss. Paulette J. Frederick-Mollica of Hollidaysburg, PA wrote a beautiful and awesome letter to the editor in the Thursday, January 24, 2007 edition of the Altoona Mirror titled "STOP ROOSEVELT DEMOLITION"! It was a magnificent tribute to our beloved Roosevelt Junior High School, a Paul Revere-like call for all of us Altoonians to rise up and do everything under the sun to keep Roosevelt from being demolished, and a reminder of many of the things that we once had around here that were demolished, because we didn't rise up and stop those things from being destroyed. The downtown, including 11th Ave's famed "theater row", our beloved Brownstone Altoona High School, the Logan House, neighborhood elementary schools, the old railroad station, the original wooden 12th St. walking bridge, the original Prospect Pool that had a huge horseshoe shaped cobble-stoned wall that people were able to climb up, sit atop and walk around the top of. I could go on and on. Miss. Mollica encourages everyone and anyone with ideas on how to save Roosevelt from being another local treasure, historic landmark, etc. that bites the dust to e-mail her atxhippy249@aol.com. I agree 110% with everything she said in her letter to the editor in the Altoona Mirror about Roosevelt and saving it to be used for something.

I posted an awesome idea both on here and in my July 16, 2007, letter to the editor in the Altoona Mirror. My idea being that the Altoona Area Public Library should be moved into Roosevelt Junior High School. Especially since number one, that the library was in Roosevelt once before and secondly they announced that they must increase the size of their operations. So why not put the library in Roosevelt. It's twice as big as the library's current building. You keep Roosevelt’s unique architectural exterior and its awesome auditorium intact, and the rest of Roosevelt’s interior can be used by the library for its operations. The library can use Roosevelt’s auditorium for visual slides, presentations, guest speakers giving lectures, showing classic movies from Hollywood's golden age (30s, 40s and 50s), etc. If the library needs more space, you expand into Roosevelt’s fenced in athletic field, as long as the expansion's exterior looks exactly like Roosevelt’s original architectural exterior.

But in order for Roosevelt to be saved from being wiped out by Dr. Dennis "Strangelove" Murray and his fellow empty suited and empty skirted charlatan yes men and women puppets, we all must do everything we can under the sun to force them to not destroy our beloved, irreplaceable Roosevelt Junior High School, and instead keep it intact to be used for something such as my Altoona Public Library idea that's posted on here.

Here are some things that we all can do which I will email to Miss. Mollica as well.
First, we must utterly flood and bombard Mayor "Willie Stark" (Broderick Crawford's character in 1949's "All the King's Men) (Wayne Hippo) and All the King's Men (City Council) with phone calls, public, visits, e-mails, letters, etc. demanding and forcing them to stop their fellow traveling power, money and greed corrupt travelers in the Altoona School District and Board from demolishing and tearing down our beloved Roosevelt. Second, flood the offices of Rep. Rick Geist, Senator John Eichelberger, and the Blair County Historical Society with phone calls, personal visits, e-mails, letters, etc. demanding that they also stop the Altoona Area School District from demolishing Roosevelt. Third, flood the offices of Dr. Strangelove and the Altoona School District and Board with letters, phone calls, e-mails, personal visits, etc. demanding that they do not destroy Roosevelt or we will vote them out of office at the very first chance we get. Fourth, call daily the local radio stations WRTA and WFBG's talk block and demand that the demolition of Roosevelt be stopped, and that all Altoonians do everything under the sun to keep Roosevelt from being demolished, post this demand as a letter to the editor on WRTA's website and have it printed as a letter to the editor in the Altoona Mirror daily, weekly, monthly, etc. And last, but certainly not least, every Altoonian across the board must make signs saying things like "SAVE ROOSEVELT", "DON'T DEMOLISH ROOSEVELT", PUT THE ALTOONA LIBRARY IN ROOSEVELT'', etc. and walk around Roosevelt everyday with these signs to peacefully protest the demolition of Roosevelt and to save Roosevelt. I would also encourage all Altoonians to flood the Altoona Public Library with phone calls, visits, e-mails, letters, etc. demanding that they force the Altoona School District to not destroy Roosevelt, but instead consider putting the library in Roosevelt.

You see, for the last 45-50 years, Altoona has gone to hell in a hand basket and our population has been declining and continues to decline faster than the titanic sunk because Mayor Robert Anthony and his City Clowncil along with the Altoona School District and their successors to this day, have repeatedly thumbed their noses and flipped the bird at us, and destroyed our town and it's infrastructure as well as it's once great, famous, special and unique history, heritage, spirit, pride, etc. with reckless abandon and impunity while we sat back and did nothing to stop it. They've murdered and continue to murder this town and have gotten away with it, because like Walter Winchel oh so rightfully stated "IF YOU WANT TO COMMIT MURDER, COME TO ALTOONA, COME TO BLAIR COUNTY. YOU'LL GET AWAY WITH IT. THE GRASS WILL GROW ON 11TH AVE. and ELSEWHERE"!

I strongly encourage everybody to pay a visit to Dr. Caprioti's office and ask to look at their printed out list of about 755 of the businesses, etc. that we once had downtown back in the 1940s and 50s. It's enough to make you ill when you see many of the places, etc. that we and Altoona has lost at the hands of Mayor Anthony's World War II Nazi era "Krystallnacht" like policy and idea called redevelopment that he started in the late 50s, early 60's and has been carried on by his and his City Council's successors to this day. The Altoona School District during all these years has partaken in the redevelopment program too. Aside from the downfall of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the redevelopment program was the worst bass-ackwards idea and thing that ever happened to Altoona. It has and continues to destroy Altoona and our infrastructure, downtown, history, heritage, etc. just as the Nazi's "Krystallnacht" destroyed Jewish businesses, etc. Redevelopment has been nothing but a final solution brought to Altoona. The Strand, The State, The Capitol, The Logan and The Olympic Theaters; Gables; McCrory's; Woolworths; Venetian Gardens; Merigold Sweet Shop, the Streetcars and Trolley Cars, etc. -- All gone! The Brownstone Altoona high school -- Gone! The Brownstone Altoona High School was named the best equipped High School in America. And how did the charlatans in the Altoona School District show their gratitude for that? Answer: they demolished it and wiped it out. My last father used to say "Expect no gratitude and you'll never be disappointed". Every man and woman who's been mayor and on the City Council and in the School District who've destroyed and continue to plan and carry out Altoona’s continued demise have repeatedly shown themselves to be gutless; heartless; soulless; money-, greed- and power-corrupt; empty suited and empty skirted brown shirts and skirts. And as Lord Acton said "POWER CORRUPTS, and ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY"!

We the public and taxpayers own the public schools including Roosevelt. Part of the words public school is.....PUBLIC. We're expected to pay taxes to the school district and yet we have and are never permitted any say in how that tax money is spent and where it goes. Dr. Strangelove Murray and his fellow mean faced, clipped haired charlatans know just as well as we do that had we been allowed to vote on whether we wanted to keep Roosevelt and Keith or not, that the new Dennis E. Murray Junior High School would have never been built -- Period! The bureaucrats in the City Council, government and Altoona School District have destroyed our town in more ways than one for far too, too long. Well, enough is enough! We must all rise up and do absolutely everything I have suggested and more to save our beloved Roosevelt from being demolished. We must save it, so that it and its auditorium can be used as the new Altoona Public Library or whatever. Just like Keith is saved and going to be used as apartments for the elderly.

If the school district needs a parking lot once the library moves into Roosevelt, they can tear down the building that the library is currently using, along with keeping the one remaining parking lot at the corner of 7th Ave. and 17th street. Now, city council, school district, etc. pinheads are going to complain like overgrown spoiled infants about how much it's going to cost to keep Roosevelt, bring it up to code, and be used as the new library or whatever. Hey, don't give us that utter rubbish. Don't pee on our legs and tell us it's raining, or poop on our laps and tell us it's a mudslide. The former Pennsylvania Railroad Headquarters/Mechanics Building on 9th Ave. and 12th St. is 125 years old and many times bigger than Roosevelt, which sat empty for God knows how long. And yet the Railroad Museum had enough heart, etc. to buy it, preserve it, bring it up to code, etc. and use it as the new wing of the museum. And look at how much of a success it has been. So don't bullcrap us, ok. Abraham Lincoln said "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time"!

Besides, the City Council and School District didn't bat an eye or a false eye lash, or break a lee press on nail when they gleefully reached into our pockets and spent over $50 million of taxpayer money on a junior high project that made about as much sense building as having a screen door on a submarine. All they seem to care about is themselves, their bank accounts, the insatiable need to cure their insatiable jealousy of State College and their bass-ackwards thinking that they can turn Altoona into another State College, which they can't because Altoona has always been and always will be known as a small, conservative, blue collar railroad town. State College is a college town. In the end it's all about THE BOTTOM LINE to the City Council and School District pinheads. THE BOTTOM LINE! THE BOTTOM LINE! THE BOTTOM LINE!

That's why it is up to all of us Altoonians to rise up and take action to stop the destruction of Roosevelt and the continued wiping out of what's left of the Altoona we once knew, loved and grew up in. After all, someone once said "If the leaders will not lead, then the people must lead the leaders". To remain silent about the fate of Roosevelt and the rest of Altoona is suicide, foolish, cowardly and folly. Abraham Lincoln and Ella Wheeler Wilcox said "TO SIN BY SILENCE WHEN WE SHOULD PROTEST MAKES COWARDS OUT OF MEN"! The past and continued destruction of Altoona is nothing but evil. Sir Edmund Burke said "THE ONLY THING NECCESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING"! Unless I fully see differently, I feel that Altoona's best days are in her nostalgic past: The 1930s, 40s and 50s!!!!!

--Bill Rupp

downtown
I think that a great idea for downtown Altoona would be turning all these unused buildings into Outlets. I think that would bring so much money into our town and who doesn't love a good outlet!!!

--angie

Bring Back The Civil Defense Program & Bomb Shelters!
Whether any of us knows, admits, understands, etc. it or not, we still live in a hostile and dangerous world. The cold war did not end in 1991. The cold war still continues on, because red china & red North Korea still exist. Russia is still a red country as far as I'm concerned because they have ex KGB men like Putin running the show. And now for the last 3 decades thanks to jimmy carter & the left, we have been repeatedly threatened by & battling Islamofacists, Islamonazis, Islamonazism, Islamofacism & nations like Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, etc. These are all enemies of ours who have weapons & munitions of mass destruction that can be launched at, detonated in, & dropped on America. And we must do all we can to be prepared & protect ourselves from these dire & serious threats. Therefore, the Altoona city council & government, along with the bureaucrats in the state government should immediately & fully re-implement the civil defense programs that we once had in place & effect back in the 1950s. This includes civil defense air & ground drills, evacuation plans & routes printed & distributed to every man, woman, child, school, college, business, newspaper, etc.

And the Altoona & state governments should re-implement the fallout & bomb shelter program too. Build new fallout shelters & reopen old fallout shelters like the one in McCrorys on 11th Ave. make them readily available to the population. Plus, those who wish to build/bomb shelters for themselves & their families should be able to do so as well. Call me crazy, etc. if you wish in regards to this, but we've become soft, complacent, etc. for far too long. And like FDR said after Pearl Harbor, we've been trained to think that we're invincible. Yet history has shown & demonstrated repeatedly that we are not -- Pearl Harbor, 1993 WTC bombing, 9/11, etc. Therefore we must do all that we can to be prepared & protect ourselves. And re-implementing the civil defense & fallout/bomb shelter programs & making them permanent would be an excellent start in the right direction. As Thomas Jefferson said "The Price Of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance"! Need I say more?

--Bill

Consolidation
I would like to know why our city council doesn't seem to have interests in expanding our borders into the surrounding townships. I'm hoping Matt will take time to respond to this so everyone will know how the political and governmental process works because I'm not 100% sure how it works, and I know I've spoken about this subject to many people who seem to be in favor of expanding, consolidating or even merging governments with Logan or Allegheny townships. Anyone who lives in Altoona knows this city is bursting at the borders and we have nowhere to go. We have to tear down structures to make room for new structures to be built. We also know this city could use the extra revenue generated by a larger taxable population. There is a poll on wearecentralpa.com about Altoona and Logan Twp consolidating services to help cut costs and have larger services like police protection. Why couldn't this be looked into to see if it would be practical to persue. Now I don't know how you even expand borders. Can you still annex land like the city did with the Juniata and Eldorado - Roselawn areas of the city? Or does it have to be voted upon by the residents of the annexed area? Please help many of the citizens around this area are very interested in this.


-- R. Banks

Civil War Museum in Downtown Area
Hi there. I've been working on this idea for many months now. I'm a student at PSU Altoona and a member of a number of local organizations. This musuem would focus on Central PA's role in the Civil War including topics such as the Underground Railroad, local soldiers, the 1860s rail industry, battles and conflicts in the region, and the Governors Conference that took place here in 1862. This was a very important event. Check out this article I wrote to learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Governors'_Conferene.

This would include many exhibits, a gift shop, and a hands-on learning center for kids. I have bluprints and ideas drawn out as well a growing number of artifacts to place in it. I have spoken with a few groups about providing a building, but haven't really heard anything solid yet.

Few places can combine Rail and Civil War History like we can here in Altoona. These are both really big tourist industries that I feel would draw people here, plus help out surrounding historic sites.

Hope you like my idea. I'm not giving up! Check out my website at www.historymatters.biz. Thanks!

--Jared

Fine arts and crafts
I recently visited a section of Pittsburgh around polish hill. The entire neighborhood has been rehabed with all the storefronts offering handmade items, artisans shops, antique shops, repair shops like upholstery furniture refinishing etc. The area is fantastic, the storefronts are old buildings and you can find just about everything imaginable. I spoke with several of the artists who have shops there, they explained that governmental funds were available to convert the area. They have brochures printed that have detailed maps of the individual stores, services etc. I think it is called the 1600 or 1662 project. It is a tourist draw, I visited with a bus tour. This would be great for downtown. It is so hard to find good craftsmen, I love the places like true value hardware in eldorado who have space for the handmade soapmaker. graphic artist and handmade dog treat maker, the different drummer in Hollidaysburg used to offer locally handcrafted goods and Overs in Martinsburg is good too. We need more. We also need to support these craftsmen, their products are top knotch. The festivals and craft shows are good sources but year round would be better.

-- Bart

Downtown Commercial
I'm glad to see people are listneing to what I've been saying. People think that downtown is dead because they never see a commercial advertising what's down there, so therefore they think it's all vacancies. That was true, until just recently. I'm very happy to report that I saw a "shop downtown Altoona" commercial. This brings awareness to the downtown businesses, and is a step in the right direction, however, it's not enough.

I'd like to see, in addition to a promotional campaign for downtown Altoona itself, a promotion of individual businesses. Commercials for places like Vipond's, Michael's Cafe, Shirley's Shoes, Tom and Joe's, Ford Music, Downtown Tailoring, LaJo's Italian Market, Stiffler's Barber Shop, the computer care place, and maybe even those businesses along 13th street between 14th and 16th avenues. Right now, the only business that avertises is Meyer Jonasson, who is currently going out of business.

Again, I'm happy to see a commercial to prove to people that downtown is NOT dead, and it's a great start, but it's nowhere near enough.

--Matt. V

Response to Ron's "Downtown Revitilization?!"
The fact that a handful of people own most of the downtown is what's preventing big downtown businesses from coming in. We need to eliminate tax breaks for empty buildings. Because of this, probably 20% of all downtown buildings sit abandoned. And these buildings are maintained to varying degrees. Some of the people who own the buildings are the same ones who owned them in the 40s and 50s.

Parking isn't a problem like people say it is. Maybe another parking garage might help some, but I can't think of a time I went downtown and had to turn around and go home because of no parking. I know you can't always pull up to te curb of a building and go right on in, but you can't at a shopping center either. The "convenient" Plank Road shopping center parking requires you to do just as much, if not more, walking as parking in a lot downtown. And really a downtown should be a place where you can park somewhere and just walk around.

One big problem with businesses, aside from them all closing at 5 PM, is the fact that they don't advertise. People think downtown is dead because they don't know what's there. I mention a lot of businesses to people, including locals, and they were surprised that they were there. All people know about are Texas Hot Dogs, the Mishler, the Post Office, Tom and Joe's, Ford Music, Vipond's Applainces, the Railroaders Museum, the now going out of business Meyer Jonasson, the elderly towers, and the hospital. If downtown businesses started advertising a little better, we'd see downtown look more alive.

We have a few decent restaurants (Tom and Joe's, Texas Hot Dogs, Cheffery's), a couple upscale places (Michael's Cafe, the new Le Bistro), several bars downtown (such as Petey's, Cobrh's, Bridgeview Cafe, and a few others), but hardly anybody knows about them.

A Subway's or Quizno's is a good idea, and there are several storefronts it would be perfect for. We have a Sheetz downtown (13th street and 14th avenue) but hardly anybody knows about it.

I actually have plans in the future involving an internet cafe, but not the concept of $20 an hour and just a few computers. I have something in mind that Altoonans would love, and in an ideal setting, too.

I've heard IKEA suggested before, but I don't know if that's going to happen.

Completely agree about the red tape. There's enough red tape preventing downtown businesses from opening that you could encircle the Earth and the moon twice with it.

What I really think we need is an elimination of the red tape, better advertising, and a downtown atmosphere that combines the feel of the past with a modern downtown. Retain the historic ambience of Eleventh Avenue (I feel like I've warped back into the 50s when I walk down 11th avenue), but encourage businesses to be open past 5.

--Matthew V.

rehabs
There will soon be a lot of demolition going on soon for the Park Avenue Penn Dot project. The rehab program going on in downtown Altoona could use many of the items that would otherwise be destroyed. I. E. entry doors, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, etc. I would hate to see all those homesbe subjected to the bulldozer treatment! Surely someone could jump in there and do something!

--Susanne

Downtown Revitalization!?!
I know that this may seem to be a terrible reason for businesses moving into downtown, but I think that it plays a major role. If you look at most of the downtown buildings, they are owned by only a few people and they want too much money to lease the spaces for a neighborhood that has a problem with getting customers into the area. If the owners of the buildings would dip into their hefty bank accounts and put the money into the properties to revitalize them and make them more affordable to new businesses, I think they would have better luck in getting tenants. So many of the buildings are tall enough to remodel the lower floors into retail and office space, while making the upper floors into lofts and apartments geared towards younger professionals.
I know that the owners get nice tax breaks for the buildings being empty, although they would actually make more money if they would actually put some of their money into them.
Another problem with someone moving their business into downtown is that parking is terrible at best for the amount of businesses that already exist.
People keep mentioning about opening a theatre to show movies...Well, that existed at the Playhouse theater, which someone attempted to reopen less than a decade ago, but it didn't have a chance because of the restrictions that were forced upon them (I think they wanted to sell alcohol to customers while they watched the movies like they do at the Westwood Theater in Johnstown). There are way too many restrictions on what type of businesses can open in downtown because of the many ordinances that exist there, which is part of the reason why many of the businesses move towards Plank Road. I think that if more restaurants/bars were able to serve food and drinks outside their businesses, so the customers could do some people watching like they do in State College would be a start...Of course there would actually have to be people walking through town for this to even make sense. For some reason back in the '80s the city didn't want the younger people in town after 5pm, so that didn't help back then either.
Some of the things that would make sense to open intown would be:
3 or 4 decent restaurants/bars with reasonably priced menus, along with 1 or 2 upper priced menus.
Adding a Subway or Quizno's or even a Sheetz MTO location like they have in a mall in NC wouldn't hurt (No fast food locations, please).
Adding a few upscale retail outlets like they have in State College would be nice.
Maybe an internet cafe or just making downtown a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Maybe an upscale furniture store like IKEA.
Of course a couple of these locations would have to open up almost simultaneously to get people's attention or else it will probably just be another feeble attempt.
There are some many options to make downtown a much better place to open businesses in the heart of the city, but with so many ordinances, restrictions and red tape being payed out in city hall I don't see Intown Altoona getting much better anytime in the near future. Here is an example of the problems: If a doctors office or that type of business wants to tear down the building next to their current location to place an addition, it might take a couple months to get through the red tape. Now if that business would happen to be a restaurant that serves alcohol, that red tape could take them around two years to complete. What is this saying to that business?

--Ron

Declare "English Only" The Official Language, Business, Etc.
The Altoona City government should & must pass laws, ordinances, etc. permanently making "English Only" the official language, business, etc. of the entire Altoona area across the board & at every level, facet, etc. No more press 1 for English, voting polls & screens in multilingual or bilingual languages, English as a second language. The Altoona city government, council, etc. should & must also order or force the multiculturalist empty suits & skirts in the Altoona area school board & district to pass a law permanently making "English Only" the official language, business, education, etc. of the entire Altoona area school district, board, schools, etc. The Altoona school district wants to implement an "English as a second language" curriculum because they feverishly wish to bow down & cater to the liberal, left wing, globalist, socialist, internationalist, multiculturalist jackal packs & fellow traveler enemies within America. Since the time of the pilgrims, America has always been an English speaking nation.

America is a nation defined by its borders, English language only & culture. English only as America's official & common language is the language that binds us as one people. Yet there are those illegitimate & insignificant jackals in our midst that wish to do away with all that, because they fiercely intend to force us & the America we've known, grew up in & loved against our will into another bass ackwards, corrupt third world tower of babel. If anyone thinks that changing America from an English only speaking nation into a multilingual speaking nation is great & will be beneficial to America & us across the board, I suggest that they read the story about the tower of babel in the the book of Genesis in the Bible. Theodore Roosevelt said " the one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities. We are a nation, not a hodgepodge of foreign nationalities. We are a people, and not a polyglot boarding house for the world.There is room only for one language, and that is the English language".

--Bill

downtown
Greetings, #1 Remove the hideous Dr Suess street signs downtown. How about a microbrewery downtown.
--Joel

6 & 7th Avenue Trees
What ever happened to the city planting trees on 6th & 7th Avenues?
--Chris

Balancing the Political Landscape II
I would like to respond to Liz's idea of Balancing the Political Landscape. I am not sure that the problem with government is too many Republicans. I think that there are several other issues that are much more important to focus on.

People of the Altoona/Blair County Area just are uninterested at election time to make a choice. Yesterday's election was extremely low, Registered voters, Republican and Democrat alike, are just not going to the polls to make their voice heard. Then when policies or law is made everyone complains about the way things are being handled. Where were these people at election time. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc. we all need to vote!

Another way to assure that fresh ideas are being introduced into all of our governing bodies is to set term limits for elected positions. Right now in Pennsylvania there are no term limits for any elected positions below Governor. Sixteen other states have already set term limits for their elected officials. Pennsylvania Lawmakers rejected the idea of term limits earlier this year - Read the June 12, 2007 article. There is no reason that an individual remains in office for a life term. Yes, in some cases having an advocate for the people is a good thing, but sometimes too much of a good thing is harmful! There is an old statement "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely". Let's set Term Limits for Elected Officials!

I think if we want to have changes in our town/county/state/nation; we need to make our choices known at election, and we need term limits for all elected officials.

--
Jason
Website Manager
ILoveAltoona.com

Balance the Political Landscape
I'm so glad to see so many great ideas about the fine city of Altoona on this site. What a great forum for discussion. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we have a real discussion of issues when it really matters, which is during election time, because most of our elected officials run uncontested time and time again.

This can only change when there are more equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats registered in Blair County, and when people can challenge our elected officials by running as Democrats in the general elections in November.

May I suggest that the first step in making the changes you want to see in your town is to change your voter registration from Republican or Independent to Democrat?

Alternately, prove to people who are Democrats and would make fine leaders in our communities that they can win an election in this county, by electing Democrats next Tuesday.

As long as Blair County continues to have a one-party political system, it is only going to get what it votes for... more of the same.

--Liz

One Thing I Noticed About Downtown Redevelopment
One thing I noticed about downtown redevelopment is a reluctance to build taller than two stories. Most of the newer buildings (except for maybe the Elderly Towers) are either one or two stories tall. Even though downtown Altoona has a high demand and use for buildings three stories and taller, I rarely see them being built anymore. The newest multistory structure I know of is the extension onto the former Penn Furniture building that's now the Altoona Heritage Discovery Center. While I'm not suggesting that we go crazy and build up like Manhattan, I think emphasis on smaller urban buildings 3-16 stories tall might be a good idea for a city like Altoona with the use for each (commercial, mixed-use, residential, industrial, etc) determined by who shows interest in the building(s) would be beneficial in every way to the city, rather than building suburban style 1-2 story structures that only partially fill the lot. What does everyone else think?

--Matthew V.

Remembrances of Christmas Long Ago
Downtown Altoona! I remember how the streets were always crowded and everyone was dressed as if they were going to church. At Christmas time strangers passed you by and said MERRY CHRISTMAS, no one was worried if they were policticly correct. Coming from a poor family we mostly window shopped, but it was ok, we were still treated nice. Oh the Gables window with SANTA in it and the kids on his lap, I felt like I was in NEW YORK or some other big city. My sister and I would save money all summer to go to the five and dime store for something for MUM and we always had enough left over to buy a HOT CHOCOLATE with whipped cream on top. Those days are long gone, today cashiers are not allowed to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, to scared of offending someone, and just stopping for a cup of Hot Chocolate seems lame to them, they want a latte or some other fancy drink. Well today my sister and I every year try to go someplace like TYRONE, BEDFORD or HOLLIDAYSBURG to get away from the MALLS and say MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone we see but it is getting harder to find somewhere where you are still welcomed to just sit and have a cup of HOT CHOCOLATE. So if you see a couple of women who look strange saying MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone they pass, say it back and make our memories come alive. OH by the way we remember skating at JAFFA guess you can figure out our ages now.

Matt Writes... Website Editor Comment

Helen - you and I may be the only ones saying Merry Christmas to those that are passing by, but at least we are saying it. If I see you sitting with a cup of Hot Chocolate; I might just be joining you for a spell to talk and remember Christmas long ago!! - Jason

Consolidating services
Why doesn't The City of Altoona Council and Logan Township Supervisors Come together and work out some kind of consolidation of redundant services. Like police services I see Logan township police cars flying through the city all the time going somewhere in the township. Why not combine services and cover the whole area? Same as the highway departments and I'm sure there are others that I can't think of. This would have to help lower taxes and I'm sure would open a whole new door for grant funding and other programs. Our kids all go to the altoona school district so why not other services? The ambulance service for altoona also serves logan township. I think it's time to come together.

Web Polls
Why not have a section on this website where the readers could create polls and the visitors of this site can go and vote on the polls and maybe get some ideas on the subjects that the readers want.

Memorial of the soon to be long gone jr Highs
I think that the school board should put together a book, not a small booklet but a book on the histories of the 2 schools. They keep saying about the cost of the schools well, if they put together a book, and then sell it....at a reasonable price to the alumni and students of the schools, then maybe...just maybe, they could make a sizable amount to put toward the new school. I am not in favor of the new school and I would like to have something to remember the old schools by. I think the board should get off it's butt and work at raising some money to contribute to this project instead of relying on the citizens (who didn't have a vote and from all that I have spoken with, think the school is a BAD idea), to cough up the money. Anyone else think this is a good idea?????

Bored between 16 yrs and 20 yrs old!!!
I have lived in Altoona all my life I'm nineteen years old now and I have a ton of friends who just go to the bars and drink and I'm sick of it! I'm two years younger than most of my friends and I have nothing to do in this town. I have a voice and an opinion and would like to be heard by SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. I would like to know where I can go for meetings about the town and express some of my ideas there to be involved in community action. I would really like to promote my own non-profit organization with other teens my age and give us all a place to go. I need support and a place to go and have no clue where to start. Can anyone help me?

We need your help, please!
I live in Huntingdon County...in the Saxton, Broad Top area. We/I noticed over the past few years of things falling apart for us. There is nothing here for the kids to do, the boro's ...are to busy fighting with each other and getting nothing done. In all aspects, we need investors to come into this area. I'd be more than happy to show people what this area has to offer and what needs to be done this area. I hope to hear from anyone about this issue in the near future. Very Kind Regards, Jim PS: I realize we're not the only area hurting, but when there's something to offer...that should at least mean something.

Family activities
I love the idea of a Roller Skating Rink...My family has traveled to State College to participate in this and other family friendly activities. I'd love to see more places like these in the Blair county area. Just think...youth groups, birthday parties, teen skate, etc. The possibilities are exciting! What about more batting cages, too! We also visited a maze in Lancaster, PA that was so much fun. Same idea as a corn maze, but made with removable panals so that the maze could be changed frequently. Other than poor weather conditions, this is a year round deal!
Just some thinkin' out loud. Thanks for listening!

November 6th
We have an election coming up on November 6th, Tuesday. County Commissioners, City Council, other seats of interest in an off election year. With only 34.8% of the electorate voting..do you want your future determined by 1/3rd of the voting public? I don't think so........Remember if you don't vote, you really have nothing to say.......Vote on the 6th........It's what guys and gals in uniform fought for..your right to maintain democracy...

Another Vote For The Drive In Theater!
There is nothing nicer to do on a warm summer evening than pack the family up and go to the Drive In. Get out the lawn chairs and blankets and sit out and watch 2 good movies! Rented movies are fine to watch at home but I believe familys are getting tired of sitting at home. My family will occasionally make the 45 min to an hour drive to the Carroltown or Portage Drive In and the places are always packed! The price is reasonable except for the snackbar which is way over priced but unlike the movie theater you can bring your own food,snacks and drinks. It's an overall nice evening out for familys, couples and friends. It would be great to have our own local drive in!

Housing in Downtown
Some of the downtown Altoona buildings would make beautiful lofts, and I for one, would love to live in a thriving downtown area. I think mixed-use is the key to a thriving downtown - lofts, condos, rentals, restaurants, bar & grills - as well as stores. The bones are there, I just I truly wish I knew how to make it happen. I'd love to know what I, a regular person with a regular financial situation, can do to help.

City Trees/ Tree Town USA
Last year I was visiting city hall for a meeting on the city and some future idea which included some nice art sculptors anyway as we headed into the meeting I had noticed the city used to be a member of the Tree City USA Towns a few years back and I think we should Get back into that program the is a link to it on the National Arbor Day Website (if they decided to re-become a member our Tree Towns USA like before we get some nice signs to put up the say welcome to the city of Altoona and tree towns of USA And something else but showing this is also good from bring in more businesses to) because I think more trees would make our town look better and what not I had just thought about this when I seen an article in the Altoona Mirror a few days ago about the city looking to plant trees on 6 & 7 Ave. from 7th st. to union ave. I think if we can make our town look better then we can bring in more businesses as well

17th Street Bridge
If you all remember a few years before they rebuilt the 7th street bridge there was a billboard the the have the idea of combining the 7th and 8th street bridges? I think that they used use the design of that 2 way bridge to replace the bridge on 17th street With its steel and decorative lighting plus as downtown is starting to grow again what a better way then to say hey welcome to Downtown Altoona

Some New Ideas and Clarifications
First, I'd like to clarify something: I wouldn't want to get rid of ALL of the council members, some, such as ... our current mayor, Wayne Hippo, seem to have a lot of interest in downtown Altoona in some form or another. Others, however, seem obsessed with building shopping centers and malls in Logan Township and tearing down Altoona's nicest buildings and replacing them with parking lots or single-story doctor and attorney offices.

About downtown Altoona: I think ideally a blend between old nostalgia and new buildings and ideas would be the perfect mix. The main "redevelopment" spots I have in mind are the aforementioned block between 10th and 11th streets between Lexington and Howard avenues, the 1100 block of 14th avenue on the opposite side of the street from the church and apartment buildings (at the bottom of the hill), and the 1200 block of 14th avenue, up from the City Hall parking lot, and the area on 12th street between 14th and 15th avenues (while preserving that nice apartment building across from the city hall parking lot). Another area to develop is the empty parking lot across the street from the Mishler, maybe put a parking garage on the corner, and one building between the new parking garage and the bank building. This will increase parking capacity and add another retail/office building.

Other than those areas, however, I'm opposed to redevelopment. Places like the McCrory Building, the former Flower Shoppe, and a lot of the buildings that once housed major stores can do so once again. Even though I'm glad to see Gable's in some form being used, I think the worst thing to ever happen to downtown was closing Gable's and turning it into an office building.

I love the RJHS preservation idea. Possibly some vestiges of its history as a junior high could be preserved, maybe 1 or 2 classrooms, but generally, it would be perfect for either the Library to move into or an expansion of the library where both the RJHS building and the current Library building are used simultaneously. Afterall, the Altoona Public Library WAS in RJHS for so many years, why not move it back there?

I think some more gyms might be a good idea, right now all we have are a few fitness centers, the former YMCA building and The Building II in downtown Altoona, and the Penn State Altoona Adler gym. This might give people more fitness options. I don't think walking is an issue though, despite what some may say or think, because you do just as much walking in a shopping center or mall as you do in the downtown. Once people realize this, they'll be more inclined to go downtown.

From what I heard, there's nothing to worry about with the KJHS building since it's being converted into apartments.

Message to Matt (the host): From how it looks, the Kaufman Buildings cannot and will not be saved, and what I would like to know is that if that's the case, what would be the best way that you, myself, and others could prevent another single-story building from being built where a much taller building should go? I don't want to see another building like that one next to the Mishler, or between the IDA towers and 11th street towers, or those near the Cathedral, ever again be what replaces one of our historic landmarks. If they're inevitably going to be replaced, ideally they'd be replaced with buildings at least three stories high, maybe more.

- Matt V. (Posted 9-24-2007)

Community Survey
I wonder, has a survey ever gone out to the city residents asking them what is wrong with our town and what they suggest to correct the problems? Media coverage of this proposed survey might spark interest that would motivate our citizens to take the time to fill out the survey and we might get great ideas.
Until we know what is wrong with our city we can't address the issues. The top 5 answers to the survey would be a good place to start.

- Patrick R. (Posted 10-16-2007)

Matt Writes... Great idea! This has been done with the children and teens of the City (Altoona City Youth Commission appointed by Council), and there has been some neighborhood-focused surveying. I don't know when the last time a broad survey related to community issues and targeted to residents of all neighborhoods has been done...

SKATEPARK!
We really need a skatepark in this town because kids of all ages skate and like the other kid said about obesity there you recreational and fun.

- Hicky (Posted 9-24-2007)

SKATE PARK
Raise some money get people to donate stuff and take some time and build a skatepark for us kids so we have a place to go.

- Stevie S. (Posted 9-11-2007)

Altoona's ''Biggest Loser''
So many of the stories you read about obesity today are either about childhood obesity or extreme obesity. Being a resident of the Eldorado section of Altoona for all of my life, being only 14 years though, I have noticed that in our town the problem lies mostly in adults. Yet, they lack the motivation, and the resources for the help that they need. Many other communities have held ''Weight Loss Contests''. And sometimes they are even city wide. There are also many gyms that are closing in the area and moving to places that they would get more business. I am getting worried about the health of our adult population. Because with the health problems associated with obesity being so prominent in Altoona, it's no wonder how many ''fat'' people are in our town.

I have recently discovered that Altoona is in the running for one of the most overweight city's in the United States. This study was based on Per-Capita of Fast-Food-Restaurants to the population of the town. Altoona has way too many of those. Plank Road, a main thoroughfare through town, or as some call it, "The Munchie Mile" is a main location for them. Numerous McDonald's restaurants, a few Wendys and Burger Kings. The convenience of these restaurants does not, however, out-weigh the down-sides such as weight-gain and health problems.

Altoona's two main gym's, ProCare (formerly Blair Racquet Club) and The Summit Tennis and Athletic Club's prices are astronomical. There should be many more inexpensive or even free work out centers in Altoona. Plus they are too far away for most Altoonans to access on a regular basis.

What I guess I am saying is that the city should do something to motivate those over weight citizens or at least provide them with the proper facilities and equipment to lose the weight themselves.

- Alex (Posted 9-11-2007)

Matt Writes... Alex has raised a big question. How can we encourage better health and fitness in our communities in Blair County? One thing that was raised by the Mayor some months ago was wondering how to make Altoona into more of a "walking" City. Many cities have a large percentage of their population walking from place to place, but because of the ease of getting around town (compared with other cities), cars are still very convenient. Any ideas on how to encourage more walking, or better fitness overall? Write in! (MLG)

Community education on gangs/drugs
Hi there! I am one of those individuals who is interested in attending one of the free meetings you have for the community to educate citizens about the gangs and drugs in our community and how to recognize them. However, they are always at 7 p.m. and there isn't much advertising of the meeting in the weeks prior to them happening. I have never been able to attend one because of the time since I don't get off work until 7 p.m. Will there be any of these meetings in the future and/or will there be any taped meetings to educate the community on these topics on the Public Access channel? I think that would be very helpful to us parents that work late or don't have a set schedule for our days off.

- Dawn (Posted 8-17-2007)

Put The Altoona Area Public Library In RJHS!
Recently, it's been announced that the altoona area public library will have to expand the size of it's building & operations. Well, i have a spectacular idea that I hope the altoona city council, school district & library will strongly consider. Move the altoona area public library into roosevelt junior high school. Roosevelt is a much larger building than the current library building is. Just keep roosevelt's unique exterior & auditorium intact, and use the rest of the interior for the library. If the library still needs even more space after moving into rjhs, then expand into rjhs's fenced in athletic field. However, the expansion's exterior should match rjhs's own exterior architecture. Rjhs's auditorium is one of the best sound & acoustical auditoriums around, and it can be used by the library for slide shows, presentations, theater, plays, etc. I'm sure that many altoonans like myself would prefer to see rjhs be used as the new library, rather than it be torn down & become just another empty lot or billboard. If a parking lot is still needed for parking, you can tear down the current library building for that, along with keeping the last remaining 7th ave. parking lot intact. I would like to see keith junior high school stay intact & be used for something productive as well, and not another empty lot. Rjhs & kjhs are both special, priceless, irreplaceable & unique historic altoona landmarks. And we've already lost enough landmarks, etc. at the hands of the empty suited, empty skirted mayor kingfishes & all the king's mens in the city councils & their fellow travelers in the altoona school district over the last 4-5 decades! Enough's enough! Need i remind you that it was walter winchell who said
"If you want to commit murder, come to altoona. You'll get away with it. The grass
will grow on 11th ave. & elsewhere." The strand theater, gable's, streetcars, etc.
All murdered & gone. And the guilty bureaucrats were never kicked out of town for it. Need I say more?

- Bill R. (Posted 8-17-2007)

Matt Writes... Citizens!! Is this what you want? It's a fascinating idea. Roosevelt truly has a terrific auditorium and is a treasured Altoona landmark. Contact your school board members. Write in! Let us know!

Airport
We also need to quit sinking money into a useless airport that is too far away from where the majority of the population is. What a waste. How much better the community would be served by an airport that was closer. There has to be some ground closer to the city for this purpose.

- Kevin M. (Posted 6-25-2007)

Response to Matt
[Previous Posting by Host: Matthew, you've got some good ideas here. I would like to clarify that a number of new businesses have been moving into downtown "proper", many of them technology oriented businesses. But I would like to pose this question to you and to all readers --- why have downtown businesses failed in the past? And, in keeping with the Community Idea Center (which is not about what doesn't work but about what does), what ideas do you have to spur more retail growth in the City's core?]

My response: Although I'm thrilled to see that some sort of business is moving into the downtown, I can't help but be worried that it's just a growing trend where downtowns slowly turn into office parks, but with much taller buildings and louder traffic. But on the other hand, offices can be a good thing, especially on the upper floors of our six-floor Black and Yon Building, which offers a nice view of much of the city.

There are several reasons why downtowns have failed in the past. One is that people think it's "convenient" to go to a big box retail store with acres and acres of parking, and lots of walking all spread out on a one-story building that's about 40% as tall as Gable's, with 0% of the charm. Once people realize that they do just as much walking no matter where they go, they'll pick the downtown, downtowns of mid-sized cities, such as ourself, offer both big city and small town businesses where you can build personal relationships with the owners that you can't anywhere else, and you can find stuff there you can't find anywhere. For example, the Thompson's Pharmacy on 12th avenue and 12th street and La Jo's Italian Market on 8th avenue. So many downtown buildings have a nice European-looking tin-ceiling, too, which itself is an attraction. Those are places you just can't replicate with an ugly big-box retail store.

But it isn't just that the people have been duped. Downtown businesses, for the most part, refuse to advertise, and those that do barely advertise anything except the company name. Downtown businesses, if they want to succeed, need to spend a little money on advertising. That's one thing that helped Your Jewelry Box do so well while it was downtown, despite the scarcity of parking.

Another reason businesses have failed, and this might be the biggest reason, is that the city council, consisting of people who have money invested in big box retail in Logan Township, really don't want to see downtown succeed and put ridiculous standards, which might be part of why those ugly one-story buildings are even being built.

Here's yet another thing. Many businesses are ignoring the college student clientele, and instead focusing on older people that patronized the downtown in its heyday. While that's nice, nobody lives forever, so these businesses would do good to focus on a younger generation. Many young people complain that Altoona is boring, so let's fix that! Let's make them love our downtown. Building malls won't help, since there's malls everywhere, what they want is a living downtown.

Here are some ideas to spur growth in the retail core.

1. Improve downtown's reputation. Right now it's "downtown Johnstown but without the business". That needs to be changed.

2. Vote the people out of office that are in office.

3. Convince people that they walk around a lot either way.

4. Advertising. Convince businesses downtown to advertise and advertise for them. Which means word-of-mouth advertising.

5. The internet cafe is a good idea for bringing in college students and high school students, both groups are used to doing a lot of walking anyway and many crave urban downtown businesses.

6. Develop the part of downtown along Lexington and Howard Avenues between 11th street and the Hospital, and maybe Chestnut Avenue, too. Some buildings should stay, such as the former YMCA and "The Building", but most of those blocks could be cleared out and replaced with some nice retail/office/apartment structures and maybe a small hotel. Maybe preserve some of the nicer mansions (like those on 8th and 9th street), but generally those blocks should be cleared out.

7. Do something with the old 40 and 8 club building, it's just sitting there, unused, deteriorating away. Either rehabilitate it or tear it down and build some sort of multistory structure there.

- Matthew V. (Posted 6-25-2007)

Convention Center Use
The convention center was built and a nice hotel was put next to it. Why are we not using it? We should have events happening their such as concerts, wrestling events, comedians, ect. The convention center is nice, but it really needs some events.

- Jeremy (Posted 6-25-2007)

I'm glad to see people care about the downtown
I posted earlier about policing the downtown core (10th-14th avenues), but that may not be enough.

Obviously something needs done about the downtown. I've had people describe it as "a clone of downtown Johnstown, area, building size, everything, except without any business". For starters the problem is city council. They have a lot of money invested in Logan Township and all types of suburban development, so they'll try to make it as hard as they can for business to survive in downtown Altoona. They do this by having ridiculous requirements that just DON'T WORK for a downtown business. We need to get rid of the Altoona government that hates Altoona. And I mean now.

Now, for some actual business ideas. Most of these will only work AFTER we clean house. First off, I'd like to say that the Penn Alto building is not only underutilized but misutilized. It could and should be turned back into a hotel, but only after business starts picking up again. Meanwhile, a hotel like a Holiday Inn or a Sleep Inn or something like that could be built on the block between 11th and 10th streets between Lexington and Howard avenues, people visiting their friends in college would love that hotel.

Here's another one, downtown Altoona needs an internet cafe, ideal spot would be in the old Woolworth's building. People would love to stop in, grab a bite to eat and use the internet, and do this every day. This would be especially successful among office professionals, college students, and high school students.

Here's another one. Some sort of little shop should go in the bottom of the Black and Yon building. That's a perfect place for a business, for example, in the old Ultimate Bagel spot. It's the kind of spot that has a nice, urban feel to it, while not having the expectations of it that one would have of a Manhattan business.

Between Chestnut Avenue and Willow Avenue between 11th street and the Hospital is just plain unutilized, it could have a lot of potential. Build some multistory buildings there, retail on the bottom floor, offices on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and apartments above that. However, leave the YMCA Building and all other buildings with a lot of potential.

There are a lot of empty lots, such as across from the Mishler, that are perfect for development. And by "development" I don't mean those ugly one-story bungalows that seem to be popping up all over downtown replacing multistory buildings. Build a multistory building, and build it tall.

There's one part of the downtown I do want left alone, that's the part of Little Italy that's also aprt of the downtown, between 12th street and 8th street along 8th and 9th avenues. They look the same as they did in a 1910 photo and I want to keep it that way. That is our TRUE "downtown historic district". However, from 13th street to 17th street has been developed, and it mostly looks good. The Station Mall hopefully will be able to survive as a medical complex/mall hybrid. Basically, Little Italy looks like a section of downtown would have in 1910, and I want to keep it that way.

The only part of downtown that seems to be doing alright is near the Boyer Candy factory along Margaret Avenue. Those businesses seem to be doing decent, with only a few vacancies. I hope it stays that way.

Finally, the downtown should be a true downtown. A downtown is a place where you don't need a car. People like to walk around, go to the little stores, eat at the little restaraunts, etc. But it's understandable why people won't walk around downtown Altoona anymore, not just the increase in crime, but mostly the scare/shock. There are downtowns more dangerous than ours, yet they thrive, for example, downtown Johnstown and downtown Pittsburgh. So why can't Altoona be like that? There is no reason why it can't.

Oh yeah, one last thing. I don't know if the new Martins's is a blessing or a curse, but I'd guess it's a bit of both. It'll bring business into Altoona's city proper, but it might draw more people away from the downtown, or.......it might encourage them to explore and see what they can find and buy. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

- Matthew V. (Posted 5-17-2007)

Matt Writes... Matthew, you've got some good ideas here. I would like to clarify that a number of new businesses have been moving into downtown "proper", many of them technology oriented businesses. But I would like to pose this question to you and to all readers --- why have downtown businesses failed in the past? And, in keeping with the Community Idea Center (which is not about what doesn't work but about what does), what ideas do you have to spur more retail growth in the City's core?

Something Else for Families
Roller skating was a family activity when I was growing up. Wouldn't it be great if someone would turn the old Giant Eagle space into a roller rink? I know that liability is an issue but it would give families and teens one more healthy activity here in Blair County!

- Lisa (Posted 5-13-2007)

What about the old Forest Zoo?
THE OLD FOREST ZOO. ITS A SHAME THAT PLACE HAD TO SHUT DOWN. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA OF REOPENING THAT PLACE. FOR ALL THE CHILDREN AROUND THE ALTOONA AREA. IT WOULD BE CLOSER FOR THE FAMILIES THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO GO TO LIKE PITTSBURGH ZOO. I REMEMBER WHEN I WENT THE LAST DAY BEFORE THEY CLOSED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN. THE AGES OF 3 AND 8 YRS OLD. I WOULD LOVE TO SHOW THEM A ZOO THAT MOMMY ONCE WENT TO WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE. I REALLY LOVED THE STORY LAND ACROSS THE STREET. I WOULD LOVE TO DO ANYTHING TO BRING THAT BACK TO LIFE. DO YOU THINK THAT WE COULD DO A FUNDRAISER, OR ASK FOR A GRANT. I WOULD LOVE TO START IT IF I COULD. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME, ON WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS IDEA. IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE AND I COULD GET SOMETHING STARTED. I WOULD COME UP WITH A LOT MORE FUN AND NICE IDEAS FOR THIS.

THANK YOU

- Mandy M. (Posted 5-13-2007)

Matt Writes... Mandy, thank you for your comments. I believe there is a group trying to establish a zoo in the Altoona-State College area. It probably won't be at the old Forest Zoo site, but I can try to get you their information if you are interested. I remember going there as a kid as well and I think it would be terrific to have a zoo in our area again.

Bring Back the Drive In Theater
I stumbled upon this website when I was looking for information on the Super 220 Drive In and the second Drive In in Altoona. I remember going to the Drive In in the 1980s where the Park Hills Theater and Eat n Park are currently located. I miss those days. Now one has to drive farther away to experience a Drive In movie, taking the economic effects with them. Kids today barely know what a Drive In theater is! Someone should consider investing a little money, time and energy into bringing a Drive In back to the Altoona area. Who knows, it might catch on and not be a thing of the past!

- Melissa (Posted 4-26-2007)

Blight/Crime/Loving Altoona
Hello. Since we have blight to contend with and a need to take care of this at a low cost, why don't we interconnect this problem with the inmates we are hosting locally that are incarcerated for less severe crimes. I know there are inherent problems like safety, etc., but why can't there be signed waivers from the inmates that are worth the risk for these things that need done like demolition. I'm sure the city's attorney could figure out the details, or explore this avenue. Maybe if the ball starts to roll others will have some good ideas to contribute. If any hauler gets any favor for city business, can't they be alloted some responsiblity for the hauling costs of some the blighted property refuse to some reasonable extent. Maybe interconnecting differing problems can produce some sought after results that will benefit us all. Think about it! Why not get some others involved that are dependant for some needs that are resonably able. Some could learn some things and may feel enriched from the experience of meeting other and working for the common good. A purpose that would show end results... Choices for some benefits. If health care benefitis are given, the cost being so high, it may be worth it to any of these individuals having the time to take that choice to participate...

Another idea would be to have a spell checker on this...
Thank you,

- Mike M. (Posted 4-25-2007)

Drugs and Crime
I do love Altoona, born and raised here. You need an idea to help with the rampant drug use and its associated crime. Dogs!. When I was at UPJ I noticed several police dogs both on and off campus being used by the Johnstown police. I again saw dogs being used in Pittsburgh. It has come to my attention that the Altoona Police Department does not use or have any dogs. I know the Logan Township Police Department has at least one dog and I heard that Cresson borough has a dog. Why doesn't the largest police department between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg have at least one dog. The Altoona Police need every resource available to them to help protect our families and rid the city of drugs.

- Anthony D. (posted 4-25-2007)

Blight
Instead of cutting down trees on another hillside (behind BG), why not give developers incentives to purchase blighted properties and either rehab or tear down and rebuild and sell as low income housing so there is pride of ownership which will reclaim neighborhoods. These areas have all the infrastructure in place and would not destroy vital habitat or contribute to more flooding and runoff.

- Sheryl H. (Posted 4-14-2007)

Operation Our Town
I was reading the Altoona Mirror on Saturday March 17th and I stumbled on an article with the headline “Grant to pay for drug prosecutor” by Mark Leberfinger. Below is a part of that article.

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Blair County’s next assistant district attorney will be “a nasty person.”

“Operation Our Town,” a business-led, nonprofit organization, announced Friday that it will award a $275,000 grant, mostly to be used to hire a drug prosecutor for the next three years.

The county has prosecutors who handle child abuse and domestic violence cases along with a regular caseload, but this prosecutor will handle only drug cases.

“You cannot have any sympathy,” District Attorney Richard Consiglio said. “You have to be fair, reasonable, but you have to be a harsh person.

“You have a drug dealer himself. You have the woman who allows him in her house.” “I think we’ve been somewhat sympathetic [to her situation],” Consiglio said. “I think the sympathy time is gone. That may be a harsh price to pay.”

Other money from the grant has been used to buy special equipment for the Blair County Drug Task Force, including 12 vests. Penn State Altoona Officer Jim Brady modeled the vest, along with a helmet.

State Attorney General Tom Corbett praised the community effort, saying that solving the drug problem will come from the community, not the federal or state governments.

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I’m personally very excited about this new organization. I did a little research on the internet and I found the Operation Our Town website at www.operationourtown.org. Every resident of Altoona should visit the website to sign up to contribute your time and money to this worthy cause.

There are many more good hearted people in this city than the few with drug problems that destroy our community with violence, crime and corruption. It’s time we take back our streets.

A thank you is in order for the numerous area businesses that have given us this platform to fight back and cure our community of its drug problems. Please get involved and support Operation Our Town.

- Dave (Posted 4-14-2007)

I agree!
I'm a college student that's been living in the area for the last few years. I tried not to go on and on, but I failed.Anyway I'd have to say I agree with what many people have said on this page.

I also just read the Weblog and I agree with Matt's most recent post.
1 There does seem to be a lack of good jobs in the area, which definitely affects me.
2 I do hear about crime in the area, but I don't seem to hear about it too often. I don't read up on it so they're could be more I don't know.
3 And yes, one of the first things I noticed when I first moved to the area were the rundown sections of town. That has come to be one of the most off putting things about the area. I always wish there was more downtown.

I don't really know how to fix these problems but I would agree that they are the biggest problems.

About some things other people said:

I agree, it would be great to see more business and entertainment downtown. It seems strange that a lot of stores just got built on the other side of 17th St. and nothing was done to boost Downtown.

Tom & Joe's is great; I love it. I've only been there a handful of times, but I really do enjoy the experience. I hope they still have those great late night hours.It really has a lot of charm.

It would be great to see something going on at the the Blair Convention Center which looks big and new everytime I drive by it. Penn State Altoona's Downtown Conference Center is nice and I think could be used more. Perfect spot for a local film festival! (In my dreams)

Altoona seems to have a nice little music community going on. I love seeing the Marauders play down at Aldo's bar. It would be great to see more music things going on in the area.

Quick little Hollidaysburg shoutout since thats where I live currently:
St. Drogo's Cafe out here in Hollidaysburg is great. The coffee is great, the atmosphere is great, and Thursday evenings they have open mic night. I'm so glad that it is still open (I hear coffee shops dont generally do well). It really is a diamond in the rough. Also in downtown Hollidaysburg, there is a small empty movie theater that I wish would be used again.

What about all the college kids at Penn State Altoona? Many seem to spend a majority of there time when they are not in class within a few miles of campus doing little to nothing. Pleasant Valley seems to be the most popular place to go, for the movies, the mall, restaurants, and other various shops. But downtown Altoona is right there next to all the college kids and there should be more for them downtown. Get them invested in the community somehow.

I've ranted enough for today.

In closing it really seems like a better downtown is what people want and I think it would be really good for the area. I would love to see arts and entertainment flourish in the area somehow. There is already a base for it (local music scene, a few art galleries, etc) and I can see the college crowd embracing that sort of stuff.

My college funds are dwindling and I'll probably be spending more time in the area than I originally planned. I'd definately be interested in helping to breath new life into the community.

- Micky (Posted 4-6-2007)

Forget Logan Township
"only the CITY, forget Logan Township" [referencing another visitor's community idea posting] I applaud that sir. I have a problem with some folks from Logan Township who seem to look down upon our great city as if we were an eye sore. Remember the township may have been here before the city, but the township wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for this city. I think the mayor and council members are doing an outstanding job at cleaning up this city and progressing forward. The only thing I see missing is a way to annex the rest of Logan Township and make it one bigger and better city, and place to live. Think of the money the two would save on services and gained revenue.

- Bill (Posted 4-6-2007)

Matt Writes... While the idea of a merger/annexation is considered a controversial issue, some are suggesting that it is not an either/or question. Perhaps the City and the Township could enhance the area through greater cooperation as a middle-of-the-road path. Does anyone have specific ideas to add about this?

More Ideas For Downtown & The Rest Of Altoona!
I've come up with some more ideas to revitalize downtown & the rest of Altoona. For starters, let's put an old fashioned outdoor newsstand on 11th ave. We used to have a union city newsstand at 12th st. & 11th ave. Let's bring it back. Since the city is going to buy & tear down the Kaufmann's Gallery & Wedding World buildings, the city should allow somebody to build & open a beautiful old fashioned 40's & 50's style single screen movie palace that shows only the movies from hollywood's golden age (30s, 40s & 50s), so that everybody including the people in the old timers towers will have a wholesome, fun, family oriented venue of entertainment that's a positive alternative to today's Hollywood's gutter age movies. This movie palace would make money, especially if ticket & refreshment prices aren't out of sight. By the way, this was one of my many suggestions in my "BLAST FROM THE PAST" submission posted on here. Expand the city Amtran & Blair Senior Services bus routes to include going down 11th Ave. Plus, every Amtran bus & Blair Senior Service bus should be redesigned into looking like the old fashioned streetcar/trolley cars that one operated here. Now that we've been improving & widening our streets & roads, let's bring back the streetcars/trolley cars themselves. Altoona needs to fully get back in touch with its unique & nostalgic past. And this, in addition to my ideas here & in my "BLAST FROM THE PAST" ideas will do exactly that. Plus Altoona is still financially in a great depression and it needs money too. The kind of money that these things will bring in. Two old fashioned drive-in theatres should be built in the Altoona area. One could be built out around the area where the Super 220 drive in theater once was. The other should be built out by the old 764 drive in theater. Have one theater show movies from the 30s, 40s & 50s. And the other showing today's sewer pipe slop for those who like that instead of real entertainment. Have big band, swing & doo wop concerts in 11th Ave's Heritage Plaza featuring the music of Glenn Miller, etc., & live performaces by the Platters, the Skyliners, etc. This would help counter the crack music, etc. being jammed down our throats today. And lastly, double the size of our police force & bring back the beat cops. We have police that get around by car, suv, helicopter & mountain bikes. Why not bring back the beat cops that should patrol the Downtown, including 11th Ave.
This would greatly make sure that the kamakaze skateboarders stay out of areas that don't permit skateboarding, etc.

- Bill R. (Posted 3-20-2007)

Youth Music Scene
It has come to my attention that this city continues to neglect the number one outlet for its youth, the music "scene". Teens in our area have been supporting and running these shows and event for almost 10 years now and the city has bearing if ever taken any notice to it. I believe it's something that should be looked into.

- Devin P. (Posted 3-20-2007)

Idea for your question #3
You asked a way to improve properties....here are my ideas:
Create a time period that is permit-charging free---you can get a permit free of charge. Let's say June to August.
Then, ask businesses that are in this line of work to sign up for a special 'City Helper' list. See of these businesses would cooperate with the City (and only the CITY, forget Logan Township!) by providing odd jobs for city citizens who meet requirements, i.e.: elderly, low income, certain area of city, etc. Perhaps even partner with some agencies who already do clearinghouse lists for reputable workers.
Also, ask businesses in the area if they will partner with the city to give certain discounts on paint, cleaning items, gardening supplies, etc. For example, if the city bought a big old shipment of white paint, and distributed it to people who fit requirements (house needs paint, low income, elderly) at a discounted rate b/c the city bought it wholesale and cheap.
Also, find more community resources that will do charitable works in the nieghborhoods....perhaps partnering with Greater CTC students and faculty, area youth groups, etc.
Another idea would be partnering with the Altoona Mirror for decorating contests, or before and after contests, to stimulate people's interest in their homes.
Another idea would be asking a local hauler (you council members MUST know one or 2 by now) to provide a dumpster to certain areas on a weekend per month. Create limitations on what can be dumped, or have none.
I hope these ideas help. I'd be happy to be contacted about this.

- Jess (Posted 3-1-2007)

Matt Writes... The City is planning "code sweeps" along major gateways beginning in early March to try to clean up the appearance of major roads through Altoona, particularly beginning with 6th and 7th Avenues. Citizens are stepping up to try to help, and the City will be trying to point them in the right direction to help residents in need.

If anyone would like to contact Jess, please send a message through contact us and we'll forward it to her.

Music question?
Why doesn't Altoona have any indie labels? You would think with the bands/artists in the area there would be , at least, one! I, honestly, believe it would bring alot of interest to the area. Would anyone be interested in starting one? Let me know...!

- J. (Posted 2-6-2007)

LED Stoplights
Why is it that everywhere you go, except for Blair County, you see LED stoplights? I'm talking all neighboring counties have at least one set of LED stoplights. I was up in Clearfield County this weekend, and almost every stoplight used LED lights.

If you do a little research, you will find that LED save big bucks. They are 80 to 95 percent more energy efficient than traditional lights. They last 5 to 7 years as opposed to the 1 year lifespan of incandescent bulbs, which saves a lot of maintenance costs.

These light bulbs have been used for at least 5 years in pretty much everywhere I've visited. With the county in a so-called financial crisis and taxes going up, I really haven't seen any proactive measures by the commisioners to cut some costs. LED light bulbs can be the first step.

- MES (Posted 1-29-2007)

Something refreshing!
Here is an idea I think everyone would like: Why doesn't the Convention Center have a "RECORD and/or TOY EXPO"? I wonder if anyone had ever been to one in the area? I must admit, if you have never been to one, you'd love it! I feel this area, including Huntingdon, Bedford, etc....has so much to offer, but there's a lot more they could have as far as businesses, entertainment, etc....without a doubt! I do have quite a few issues about a lot of these areas in things to do, but it takes more than one person to see that same things and to do something about it! Do you really want to see a 'really depressed area'? Come and take a drive through the Saxton, Broad Top, Wood and Robertsdale area! There is NOTHING here for any of kds in the area to do....and then people question why there are drugs problems? Look outside the box and you could find a lot of things that need, or should, be done! I thank you for you time.

Sincerely,

- J. from Dudley, Pa. (Posted 1-8-2006)

Downtown Shop
I went to Tom & Joe's this week downtown and it was a great lunch experience... and it was packed! However, there is nothing like a coffee shop or sub shop downtown on 11th or 12th Avenues. With new businesses that are moving downtown I wonder if the time is now for someone to open one again?

- Fairview Resident (Posted 1-5-2007)

Parades & More
I would like to start off by saying that I enjoyed seeing the city put on a Christmas Parade downtown. It was a delight to see people come together from our city. We need more of this. I liked the idea of having an octoberfest downtown and why not have a festival or a fair downtown? I believe the more people you bring into downtown the more business you'll generate in the area.

- Bill H. (Posted 12-18-2006)

Festivals and Concerts!
As somebody who likes to travel around the state and check out various activities, I think two things that Altoona sorely lacks that could improve the quality of life are: festivals and concerts.

Several cases in point: Every fall, smaller communities around us hold fall festival events that draw blockbuster crowds into their downtown areas. Bedford has its two-weekend Fall Foliage Festival. Ebensburg has its Potatofest. Cresson has Heritage Days, and Alexandria has Hartslog Day. Why doesn't Altoona have any fall festival events of this caliber? Sure, Delgrosso's Amusement Park in Tipton has Harvestfest, but that doesn't bring people into downtown Altoona. Up until a few years ago, the Railroader's Museum staged Railfest, but that event seemed to dwindle in size and profile in recent years. Altoona needs a blockbuster festival event...and why stop at one, why not do several during the course of the year?

Years ago, the annual Blair County Arts Festival used to be held along 11th Avenue. There were complaints about crowds and cramped space, but guess what? The Arts Festival used to draw huge numbers of people into downtown - people that could then support downtown businesses during that weekend! While the Arts Festival's present home, Penn State Altoona, is picturesque and more spread out, the event doesn't draw the crowds it used to in downtown Altoona - just look at how empty the entertainment tents and pavilions are for performances!

Look at Tour De Toona. Why isn't there a festival centered around this high-profile event? A public welcoming celebration for the cyclists with music and other entertainment, held along 11th Avenue? Tour De Toona is a high-profile sporting event that draws outside attention into our town, but are we reaping the maximum benefit out of it?

The aforementioned Railfest? With the Museum, the newly-renovated walkover bridge and Heritage Plaza downtown, with the Norfolk Southern mainline running through the center of it all, why not utilize this whole area and make Railfest into a major celebration of Altoona's heritage? Somebody's missing the big picture here.

And let's talk concerts and music events. Towns around us bring in high-profile concert events. Williamsport stages several big concerts every year in its Community Arts Center (names that have played there in recent years include Jethro Tull, Chicago, Alice Cooper and Huey Lewis & the News). Indiana brings several big name concerts into Fisher Auditorium every year. Although not as often as they used to in past years, Johnstown brings in occasional concert events into the War Memorial Arena. Altoona has the Mishler Theatre, the Jaffa Shrine and Blair County Convention Center, but aside from the occasional country concert or show event tailored to senior citizens, none of these venues stage high-profile concerts. I know the city's high amusement tax has been an issue in years past, also the unfounded fear that rock concerts might bring riots and damage to those venues - but guess what? I don't see that happening in Williamsport, Indiana or Johnstown!

And music festivals! Johnstown has its Folkfest, which draws thousands of people into town every Labor Day Weekend to enjoy music and food. State College has its annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which brings thousands of people into their downtown. I just attended a new event in Hagerstown, Maryland in late October called Downtown Live - an all-day outdoor concert featuring a variety of music from blues to rock. It drew thousands of people into downtown Hagerstown, and drew a diverse crowd of all ages and ethnic backgrounds together in the celebration of music and community togetherness! Why can't Altoona stage a day- or weekend-long music intensive event similar to these?

Let's look at this issue from another perspective. Lately, we've heard the disturbing news headlines about increased crime, drugs and shootings in Altoona. Beyond providing entertainment and good times, festival and concert events - spaced out during the course of a year - bring the community together! And if residents and neighbors are sharing good times together and getting to know one another, they are more likely to look out for one another, be more proud of their community, and more likely to take a proactive role in fighting crime and blight in the community. Right now, Altoona doesn't even have much in the way of neighborhood block parties to tie neighborhoods together. With nothing to draw residents and neighborhoods together, people are more apt to hide behind their closed doors and turn their heads the other way when crime happens.

Ultimately, festivals, concert events, block parties, and other fun community activities build unity, and generate pride and interest in the community. And increased community and cultural events are also an added attraction to new business and industry looking for reasons to locate into our area. No, festivals and concerts won't solve all of Altoona's problems, nor turn this town into an economic mecca. But they can be part of the solution in turning around attitudes in this area, and provide more incentive for people to want to continue to live and work in this area. Such events work in other communities around us. Let's make them happen here!

- A Hopeful Altoona Native (Posted 11-21-2006)

Drastic City Tax Base & Business Codes Reduction Is Needed!
If altoona really wants to make it possible for downtown's 11th Ave. to be resurrected and brought back to the way it was before it was destroyed by the empty suited & empty skirted beaurocrats with their krystalnacht policy called "redevelopment", 4 things must occur. First, altoona must fully reimplement a full time working city government. Having only a part time working city government has been folly for us from day one, because when the beaurocrats aren't pushing papers, they're playing 18 holes in their empty peg pants & skirts while gulping down cold brewskies! Second, the skyrocketing city tax base must be drastically reduced. This can be done by eliminating all property taxes across the board and just taxing the goods & services. Third, lyposuction the nuremberg laws like city business codes, rules, etc. I mean a dog can't take a leak on a tree at gospel hill unless he bow wows his way down to the offices of Mayor "Kingfish" & "All The King's Men" (city council), and fill out & sign a form for a gall bladder relief permit. This drastic reduction of the codes can be done in 5-6 months, not five years as the city clowncil says. What's more important, Altoona or your pointy shoes, convertibles, nail polishes & peg pants? And fourth, free up the parking throughout the downtown. Get rid of the posted time limit parking signs, parking meters, etc. Free up one of the 2 parking garages. We're becoming like state college & indiana, pa.. Because pretty soon altoonans won't be able to sit on a park bench without paying tolls. All of this city over taxation & regulating spells one word.....SOCIALISM! Now, once these four things are actually & fully done, then the downtown can be revived. Perhaps we can fully implement the ideas that i've suggested in my "BLAST FROM THE PAST" submission posted on here.

- Bill R. (Posted 11-9-2006)

Ideas for downtown and beyond
1.) In the Mirror aritcle about Penn State Altoona's Spooktacular Science Fair someone mentioned that the closest science museum is two hours away (in Harrisburg) and I've been there and it's nice...but WHY don't we have one? It could be in the former Kaufman's Gallery, right across the footbridge from and tied to the Railroader's Museum...kind of like, "here's what we did, now here's where we're going," you know? Albemarle Chemical in Tyrone, Cookson Electronics, New Pig, etc., could sponsor exhibits. Allegheny Ballet and Sotto Voce could be involved with motion and sound exhibits, etc. The Blair Garden Club or Penn State Master Gardeners could maintain a rooftop botanical garden.

2.) I think that actually idenitfying neighborhoods (like where does Whenwood end and Fairview begin?) could go a long way psychologically to boost pride in our neighborhoods. How about some hometown signs that say things like,"Welcome to Juniata, home of the Juniata Silk Mill and Norfolk Southern Shops."

3.) There is ONE bench for AMTRAN riders in all of Altoona outside of downtown and the Logan Valley Mall, and it's something a private citizen put out, on Valley View Boulevard. How about sponsoring a bench art contest? See which nieghborhood can put up the most, most beautiful, etc.?

- East End Resident (Posted 11-7-2006)

Plans to revive downtown Altoona
This may not be a 100% recovery, but it will be a definite improvement. First off, what needs to be done is an increase in patrolling the 10th through 14th Avenue sector between 18th and 8th Streets. Another thing that can be done is promotion of the downtown district, to increase businsesses on 10th-14th avenue, especially 11th and 12th Avenue. There could be shuttle busses to the parking garages, which will be the parking for the Penn Alto, which could be turned back into a hotel. Some sort of incentive should be given to businesses that operate downtown, such as a montetary bonus every year.

- Matt V. (Posted 10-11-2006)

Center City
Altoona's downtown area is slowly improving, but when local residents think of "downtown" they think primarily of Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues. I think we should employ the term "Center City" to include the whole intown area, from the Altoona Regional Health System to Little Italy, over to the high school, and encompassing Lower Fairview, Downtown, and stretching to the Jaffa. I don't think we should abandon the term "Downtown" but should also focus on "Center City" as a broader area for strategic development.

- Fairview Resident (Posted 9-14-2006)

Where are we going?
I hear and read a lot of people saying that our city council isn't taking the necessary steps to bring businesses to the downtown area. Well, I'm not familiar on government business and how it works well enough to criticize anyone, but does the city give tax breaks to businesses that set up in our city or maybe in a certain area like industrial park? If not maybe that would be something to look into. I don't think that business owners are really looking at an empty downtown and saying, "Boy, I could put a store in and get things rolling", either. I think a group of business minded individuals with the money to do it could start 4 or 5 businesses downtown and get some serious attention if it's focused toward the right crowd. Our council members are doing a good job and with their help we'll get this city back on track.

I also have heard that the city attempted to gain distressed status some time in the past. I don't know that it would benefit the city of Altoona. I've spoke to individuals that live and work in Johnstown, and none of them could tell me anything good about it. Just look at Johnstown they've been under distressed status for approx. 10 years now and they don't have anything special.

If you'd like to discuss topics like these and many more stop by http://altoonapa.proboards79.com and chat with other altoonians from our area.

And on a final note I would like to say that our police department does an outstanding job for what they face day in and day out. I hear all the time about how terrible the crime and drugs are in the city, and nobody wants to live in the city. They say it's a horrible place to live. But I think the thing people don't understand is drugs are everywhere no matter where you come from or where you go. We are a city and we have problems that every city faces. Now I don't condone the drugs or crime but I take it very personally when someone says to me, "Oh, you live in Altoona! I'd never live there, too much crime." If you look anywhere in the U.S. you'll see drugs and if you wait long enough you'll see crime. Look at Tyrone's small population, small amount of crime. But they still have crimes committed. SO GOOD JOB ALTOONA POLICE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

- Bill (Posted 8-18-2006)

Altoona wouldn't be so bad...
I'm 18 and I like Altoona for the most part. I do want to move outta here and see new things and people though. Most kids my age HATE it here but I realize its only boring to kids my age because we're anxious by nature and attracted to excitement. Altoona does have a lot to offer, it's just that we've lived here for 17-22 years and we have done/seen all that it has to offer. Altoona could easily grow into a real city but it seems to me like those in charge aren't willing to take risks or look into what would please people. Sure the new shoppping center is cool but...what'd be cool would be to see businesses that are unique as well as big names be put in downtown. And to see more buildings and what not put up. Not just these plazas and shoping center deals. Downtown...Put in an arcade, unique clothing stores, some different kinda eating spots, maybe a popular one or two like starbucks or iHop or White Castle...Just do something with it rather than let it decay. Give us a reason to be proud to say we're born here or from here rather than wishing we were from somewhere else.

- "Busy Kidz" (Posted 8-14-2006)

Altoona Music Conference
I work in the music business and I feel it would a great asset for Altoona to have its very own music conference. I realize that the Harrisburg area has been having one for the past 8-9 years, but this would bring A LOT of people into the area. Altoona has everything that is needed to have one: bars, clubs, convention center, hotels, etc...! I would be very interested in bringing this together if everyone would be in favor of it. I know there would be enough sponsors in the area to help make it happen. This is only a suggestion. I feel if I get any good feedback on this suggestion...I'll read the follow up postings and give you my contact info. Great site.

Best Regards,

- Joel (Posted 8-9-2006)

Matt Writes... Please contact us if you would like to get in touch with Joel!

Stimulate Growth in Downtown
Downtown Altoona was named as a special business zone through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's economic stimulus package. Eligible businesses located in the zone may take advantage of transferable tax credits, stipends for internships, preferential consideration for DCED programs and innovation grants to partner with the region's institutions of higher learning. To qualify companies must be in one of the following industries.

1. Materials Science & Nanotechnology
2. Biotechnology & Life Sciences
3. Information Sciences & Technology

This is a great program and it could stimulate economic growth in the downtown area. See the I-99 Innovation Corridor KIZ website for more information: http://www.i99corridor.org/kiz/index.html

- John (Posted 8-8-2006)

Rebuilding my home town.
I was born and raised in dear Altoona for 20-odd years. I went to AAHS and was wonderfully blessed to have been taught by some of the finest teachers in Pennsylvania. I left the area to pursue a career in oceanography, but I've noticed many changes in Altoona since then, upon visiting my family and friends on occasion.

The crime rate has increased significantly. Factory jobs and labor have decreased in exchange for minimum-wage retail jobs that do not leave room for economic improvement or for lucrative career opportunities for employees.

And I see Altoona trying harder to better itself, but as a result it is only losing its individuality in the process. The new Logan Town Center is only bringing in the chains that most other towns already have, and is only doubling some of the types of stores that already exist in the city. And it's drawing even more hope from what used to be the heart of the city - Downtown.

Even in the early 80s, when I was a child, there was something very special about trips to the city center. The buildings seemed taller, the shops distinguished, the trains exciting. We still have most of the buildings and the trains. Current citizens of Altoona need to reclaim the frail heart of the city. Why not have the AAHS students participate in a mock city planning competition? They are an imaginative and talented bunch of young people if they were anything like my class or the classes before me. Why not see the ideas of the future Altoona taxpayers? Why not see WHAT WOULD KEEP THEM IN ALTOONA?

Use the blighted, empty storefronts to reclaim Altoona's history.

Why not interview the elders of the community to find out what made Altoona great before and find if it can be resurrected for the future?

It will take a long time to bring Altoona back and there will be some cynicism and opposition, I guarantee. But if those who love Altoona come forth and realize that there are still great things about our community, and fight for a beautiful, unique place to live, it can happen.

I love Altoona too and I am glad to visit the town. I would love to see it be restored. Thanks for this website.

- Linda A.

Matt Writes... I totally agree that we should be employing the talents of both old and young to develop ideas for our community! And I like your question, "What would keep them in Altoona?" Readers? Post your ideas here in the Idea Center --- join the discussion!

A star downtown
I believe our downtown needs a star to start the growth. Maybe a bar, a NICE bar. Or maybe even a good nightclub to attract the younger crowd. I know alot of people will say keep the kids out of downtown because all they will do is destroy it. But if you start bringing in crowds to downtown the businesses will follow. All we have to do is look at State College. If you've ever walked downtown State Collge you would know it's full of bars, clubs, and specialty shops. Downtown could be a hit for folks to walk around and visit all the little specialty shops that the mall, Wal-Mart, or Plank Rd. could never give their customers. We have to make people want to come to downtown. If nothing is there nobody will go. I believe all it would take is one good store to start the chain reaction.

- Bill

Apply Distressed Status
I don't know why Altoona City Council will not file for Distressed Status like the City of Johnstown has done. It will bring in additional funding in order for the city to better itself in the long run. Maybe this subject can be addressed.

Having resided in various cities and boroughs across the Commonwealth of PA, the City of Altoona will not be a mecca of success until the city and its appearance is cleaned up, the wages of all local and area employees increase, and actual industrial-type base businesses locate in or within the immediate vicinity of Altoona. The city and surrounding townships are all becoming retail and service industry based which bring in pretty much low wage jobs, while areas such as State College, Bedford, Ebensburg, and Johnstown reap the better, more substanstial, and more secure forms of employment.

The SKF building continues to sit empty, and now the other WSLee (former Fleming) warehouse is up for sale. Why isn't Jubelirer or Geist trying to bring warehousing companies and industry to Blair county? And if they are trying, but can't get any takers, what is the reason why no one will set up shop in this area?

Relying on the Hospital and Norfolk Southern to be the economic backbone of the city is foolish. As is expecting a completed I-99 to be the savior of the area. Why stop in Altoona when Beford and SC have the same things on bo