'We need this more than anybody'
READING, Pa. - With just weeks to go before Pennsylvania
selects two recipients of a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ),
Reading officials are crossing their fingers.
"We're ready to go. Hopefully, we'll be chosen,"
said Pa. Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks Co.
City and state officials gathered Monday to discuss their
proposed zone in the former Citizens Bank building on Penn Square, just one of
the many areas involved.
Other parts of the pitch include the Abraham Lincoln
(Wyndham) Hotel, the former Luden's candy factory, the former Baldwin Brass
facility, Northeast Industrial Park, the Rockland Plaza shopping center and the
Interstate Container industrial property.
"It's time for Reading to state its case, to make the
argument to Harrisburg that we really need this more than anybody," said
Peter Rye, chairman of the City of Reading Revitalization and Improvement Zone
Authority (CCRIZA).
If selected, the CCRIZA would have the ability to issue
bonds for development within the CRIZ. Then, in turn, the authority would
receive various state and local taxes generated as the result of that
development.
"[CRIZ] will really be a great tool for us to spur
private development, using tax dollars that actually would have gone to the
state or local government, but are being devoted to development," said
Schwank.
Officials said they hope the CRIZ would not only increase
revenue but create jobs and foster business opportunities.
"Everybody has a passion for wanting to see development
in Reading," said Rye.
The state is expected to make its decision by Dec. 15.
Currently, eight cities are eligible, including Lancaster, York and Bethlehem.
Two additional cities are expected to be selected in 2016.
Source: WFMZ.com
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