Volume 4, Number 4
WINTER 2018
WEST END LIVING
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The neighborhood is aglow in new and planned lighting projects. “We’ve launched a longterm project to outline the facades of businesses in the 500- and 600-blocks of 19th Street, as well as others that are nearby,” says West End Alliance (WEA) President Damien Brown. The Alliance invited merchant participation on a first-come, first-served basis. So far, the beautification initiative has lit the rooflines of Timothy Richard Jewelers and Boutique to Go at 520 N. 19th St., Mia Bella Hair Studio at 616 N. 19th, and Daniel Joseph Realty at 618-620 N. 19th. Brown says the new white lights are energy-efficient and professionally installed. “Coincidentally, The Shanty on 19th had already installed its own lights. Their design is quite similar to ours, so everything will present a unified look,” he added. Funding for the project comes from the WEA general budget, the World of Food Festival, the St. Patrick’s Day 5K race, and from donations by business owners
and members of the community. At this point, property owners are responsible only for the electricity used, and for any future maintenance of the lighting displays. Brown said that any interested commercial property owner can contact him directly for consideration for the next phase of the project. “We will prioritize installation awards based on location and prominence in the neighborhood, within the limitations of our budget,” he says.
The neighborhood will feature a boost of holiday spirit in the first week of December, when new ornamental lighting goes up on 25 lamp posts along 19th Street and the surrounding area. Dozens of white and blue snowflakes and shooting stars will glow every evening through February. Although funding for the holiday lights comes from the general budget, “The West End Alliance received a commitment from the city of Allentown to reimburse nearly half of
PHOTO BY JANE GEIST PHOTOGRAPHY
West End Allentown’s Brighter Future
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IN THIS ISSUE 1 West End Lighting 3 Focus on the Arts 5 Who is the West End Alliance 6 Ron’s Ramblings
7 New to the Neighborhood 8 The Allentown Band 10 Students of Note 11 School News 12 Theatre Update
our costs,” Brown says. The approximately $8,500 project covers the installation, removal and storage of the lights, and the existing flagpole banners. “We’ll refurbish everything and remount the lights each year,” he added. There are also now lights atop the brick pillars surrounding the Allentown Fairgrounds. According to Ray Hoffman, CEO of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, the lights were
13 World of Food Sponsor Thank You 14 News to Use 15 Where Is It? 15 Important Numbers WINTER 2018 WEST END LIVING 1