Pittsburgh business newspaper raves about progress in Erie
A recent seven-part special report on Erie in the Pittsburgh Business Times paints a decidedly positive picture of the progress in the city. “Eye on Erie: A comeback story about how Erie is elevating itself as it moves through the 21st century,” which appeared on June 17, details the optimism that some locals and many out-of-town observers are feeling about Erie.
Jennifer Beahm, editor-in-chief of the Business Times, calls the work in downtown Erie no less than “a modern-day renaissance.”
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The report includes stories about how Opportunity Zone investing helped fund Erie’s transformation; how UPMC’s investment builds up Hamot’s future; how Saint Vincent Hospital benefits from AHN’s big investments; how Erie Insurance helps revitalize its hometown; how Gannon University’s I-HACK serves as a hub for cybersecurity in downtown Erie, and how Wabtec in Lawrence Park Township serves as a global hub for engineer design and development.
Many of us who live here tend to become blasé and believe that nothing ever changes. But reading about Erie’s progress in this Pittsburgh publication makes you sit up and take notice.
● Actually, a drive downtown is all you need to see the construction progress in action. Giant cranes tower over the huge new parking ramp that’s going up next to a new building at Fifth and State streets. And the former Mellon Bank at 12th and State, which continues to evolve, is one of numerous other projects under construction.
● I recently drove past the area where the former Roosevelt School once stood on the city’s west side, and the demolition has left a wide-open space that could be converted for a number uses.
2020 report: Weather, other factors cause contractor to seek more time for Roosevelt School demolition
A national preservation group that came through town about a decade ago checked out Roosevelt School and found plenty of potential for saving the building. But it had crumbled in recent years, having not been used for more than a decade, and was too far gone to save.
That’s the thing about preservation: You want to save the important buildings, but it’s imperative to find the funding to do it and to devise a sensible plan for its best uses. And you need to do all that in time.
● I like the idea of the City of Erie possibly taking over the vacant Miller Bros. property on State Street, where Koehler Beer’s headquarters had been located for decades.
Mark Miller took me through the complex about a decade ago and it was built like a fortress. It’s still in good condition and it makes sense for the city to hire a firm to conduct a study to see if it could be used to house offices and storage areas for many of the city’s departments.
More: City of Erie eyeing potential purchase of Miller Bros.' former State Street property
● The opening night of 8 Great Tuesdays this past week at Highmark Amphitheater on Presque Isle Bay proved to be a glorious summertime event. A large crowd seemed appreciative of the wide range of music provided by the Erie All-Stars. I especially enjoyed hearing Roy Hollis Jr. and The Groove. There’s a lot of musical talent in this region.You can’t find a more pleasant experience than sitting near the water on a warm summer night. This first great concert more than lived up to its name.
More: Here's the lineup for the 8 Great Tuesdays summer concert series
● Congratulations to John Carrig, who recently retired after a fabulously successful run as Gannon University’s cross-country coach. John headed the Gannon program for 32 years, following a successful six-year stint as Cathedral Prep’s cross country coach. His Ramblers squads compiled a dual meet record of 59-1. To be sure, Carrig was one of Erie’s greatest coaches.
● Entertainment at Chautauqua Institution is starting to heat up as Sheryl Crow and Keb' Mo' are set to perform Tuesday. Jay Leno, the former “Tonight Show” host, will return to Chautauqua on July 22.
More: Sheryl Crow, Jay Leno, The Avett Brothers among acts in summer lineup at Chautauqua Institution
● Connie’s Ice Cream will be set up on Friday for a special Customer Appreciation Day at 3150 W. 32nd Street. Starting at noon, special treats will be available all afternoon. Connie’s is always helping to raise funds for local charities, and partial proceeds from sales all weekend long will benefit the Barber National Institute.
● A few recent rain showers helped turn lawns in the region from brown back to green. Even better, the rain fortified area gardens, which have the promise of becoming quite bountiful this season. I think the peaches are especially tasty this summer.
● Rick Esch has been appointed president of Pitt Titusville and Pitt Bradford. He successfully served both campuses as interim president.
● I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I have yet to attend a single afternoon of horse racing this season at Presque Isle Downs & Casino. The new 1:30 p.m. post time does not seem to work for me, even though I’m mostly retired. I can tell you that I do miss the ponies, though my bank account might say otherwise.
More: Presque Isle Downs returns to 100-day meet with earlier post time
● I would have liked to have known Alex Klick, who recently died of cancer at 85 and was buried in Wattsburg Cemetery. Reading about Klick, it seems he did so much during his lifetime, including playing in a country band in Alaska that at various times backed up such performers as Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubb, Freddy Fender and Crystal Gayle.
Klick delivered the mail from Fairbanks to Cantwell and all points in between, and was a champion sled dog racer. Talk about a rich, full life.
Obituary: Len Kolakowski, legendary Erie baseball and softball player, faced Satchel and the King
Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Kevin Cuneo: Pittsburgh business newspaper raves about Erie's progress
