Tell Us: Is Moving City Hall a Good Idea?
Should Easton be moving its city offices to a new building?
Photos
Last week, City Council voted to look for buyers for the Alpha Building, which has been home to Easton government for the last 17 years.
The plan is for the city to move its offices to the new intermodal center farther south along Third Street.
We've seen a mix of opinion on this move so far.
When the idea was first proposed last month, reader Adam Fairchild said the move was that of a modern, competitive city.
"Cities that do not spend money on their infrastructure, beautification and modernization will be left behind," he wrote.
Commenter Ronnie DelBacco called the idea of a new city hall "a monument for Sal Panto," and said the city needed to be more thrifty.
"Stay put and make due with where you are," he wrote. "My guess is that repairs on the Alpha building will cost far less than buying a new property."
Blogger Jon Geeting writes that although there may be good reasons for the move, the building needs a design upgrade.
"For a modern bus terminal and offices, the design is probably a bit above average quality," he wrote. "For a City Hall in 2013 though, Easton can do much better than this."
And the Express-Times editorial board wrote Friday that council should have spent more time weighing the issue and allowing public input.
We'd like to hear from more of you. Take our poll below, and tell us what you think in the comments.
Donna Bradbury
11:29 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
There is already traffic jams and traffic backed up in those two blocks before getting on to Bushkill.
Tom Adams
1:53 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
This project is no where near Bushkill and I love the building and I think it is great for a new City Hall. I should consider moving to Easton, I already spend most of my time there. As for the comment by Delbacco, he should be thankful he has a mayor that is so successful for his city. Easton has come a long way,,,,,,,baby!
Donald Young
8:22 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
The Alpha Building and the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Oblisque are Centre Square's distinctive architectural monuments and should remain the inalienable cultural heritage of all Easton citizens. The Alpha Building was the headquarters of the Alpha Portland Cement Company, which supplied the concrete for Hoover Dam. The building is very aesthetically pleasing, exhibiting Beaux-Arts detail, with fluted pilasters and egg-and-dart ornamentation. The eagle sculpture atop the east side of the building dramatically opens its wings to welcome each day's morning sun and proclaim the bold strength and noble spirit of Easton's pre-WW I culture and Industry. The west portion was built in 1901. The two top stories were added in 1910, and the eastern portion completed in 1917. Rather than unload the Alpha Building for $4.1 million, or less, to commercial developers who would not respect the grand structure as a public cultural treasure, the Alpha Building should be listed on the National Registry Of Historical Sites, publically recognized as the architectural treasure which it unquestionably is, and be forever preserved as a landmark structure to inspire all Eastonians. Were the Alpha Building to be constructed today, the cost would far exceed the expense of the $26 million Easton Intermodal Monstrosity which our politicians, by slight-of-hand argument, now seek to substitute in its stead. Let's forever Preserve Easton's cultural heritage Alpha Building for all Eastonians!