This image shows Market St at Second St in 1982. When I moved to this hole in 1982, that area had the pawn shop, an adult theater, (anyone remember the Senate?) and when you turned right onto Strawberry Alley, there was a little strip joint tucked away. Steven Reed was elected in 1981 after George Gekas did nothing to make the city better and try to make this city move away from the bad image that it had for too long. City Island used to have a great concert stage and had national acts each summer in the early 1980's. However, you had to rouse the gays having sex in the bushes to get them on their way, although they may have enjoyed the Judas Priest show in '82. Sadly, the concerts went away as did the haven for gay sex and in the center of an island of weeds and trees, a baseball park appeared and flourished with some great teams early on. The Island became a family friendly environment. Say what you will about Steve Reed, but the man had a vision for Harrisburg and what it could be.
Next slide please.........
Here we are in 2007! Look at that build up! The sticky, smelly adult theater is gone, the titty bar is gone and we have this gigantic hotel centerpiece in their place. We have blocks upon blocks of great bars and restaurants that would bring throngs of people into Harrisburg on the weekends and offer great food destinations throughout the week. And this became a clean city. And a real city. I was able to come in as Strawberry Square was being opened and expanding. I laughed at the plans I was shown to make Center City a clean and safe place to shop and eat. There was a real Mayor in charge and was growing the region and being a visible figurehead in day to day stuff. Anytime that there was a shooting....Reed was there talking to the local news to reassure that he was in charge and working to solve the crime. If there was a fire at 3 AM, Reed was there to talk to media and calm the folks affected to reassure them. In 2009, voter apathy and false promises would see Steven Reed removed from office and replaced with a poser that will surely return this city to filth and crime. Now we have shootings on a steady basis and daylight muggings and robberies by restless teens and this person that they call Mayor is nowhere to be seen. She just hires her cronies and people that she gets to be her spokesperson walk out after a short time in position because they can't work with a moron. This city is going to Hell and fast, I was here the first time it was a hole and I'm afraid I'll see it again.
If you weren't here before 1982, sit back and watch as we go back in time instead of forward.
This image shows Market St at Second St in 1982. When I moved to this hole in 1982, that area had the pawn shop, an adult theater, (anyone remember the Senate?) and when you turned right onto Strawberry Alley, there was a little strip joint tucked away. Steven Reed was elected in 1981 after George Gekas did nothing to make the city better and try to make this city move away from the bad image that it had for too long. City Island used to have a great concert stage and had national acts each summer in the early 1980's. However, you had to rouse the gays having sex in the bushes to get them on their way, although they may have enjoyed the Judas Priest show in '82. Sadly, the concerts went away as did the haven for gay sex and in the center of an island of weeds and trees, a baseball park appeared and flourished with some great teams early on. The Island became a family friendly environment. Say what you will about Steve Reed, but the man had a vision for Harrisburg and what it could be.
I've lived in hbg since 1966 and i knew the thompson "clan" they were all bad asses and trouble makers back in the day ....Don't ask me how she got into office. Well ,i know it's all favors and paybacks. I thought the govt giving themselves raises under the dark of night was bad. Hbg ,if you let her stay we will go to shit. Get her out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete