Proposed Coal Mining Museum: Museum site doubt expressed (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: sales, how much)

[Magritte25]

Museum site doubt expressed | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA



WILKES-BARRE – Todd Vonderheid is supportive of bringing an Anthracite Miners Museum to the city – but only of the concept, not the proposed site.

...........................
Burke bristled at the suggestion that the old bank building isn’t the best site for his museum. He said suggesting an alternative site is out of the question.

“I’ll say this much: If we don’t get that building, there will be no Anthracite Miners Museum,” Burke said from his New Jersey home. “It’s that simple.”



What do you think of the proposed museum? The site?

What about Burke's assertion that it's the old bank building or nothing?

[sheena12]

Where is everyone? This is a real no brainer. Why the doubt?
I don't get it.

[thecoalman]

The best site for any museum would be at the Huber, period.

[varmintblaster]

I have to agree with Coalman.

There is plenty of county property available that is "closer to the source" than a building near public square WB.

I am amazed that the building has been vacant for 37 years!!!
This fact alone speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the present-day and former WB/County leadership.

Todd Vonderheid is a silver-spoon fed *************************!!!!

Burke seems to have a pretty crappy attitude, considering the fact that he is trying to grope at the govt teat for at least half the $ for this project. If he is so confident about the potential of his proposal, and is such a "champion" according to Todd the Clod, why can't he muster all the necessary funds and open the museum as a private-for-profit enterprise???

If he has that much confidence/arrogance, then he should foot the bill & the responsibility to turn a profit or at least break even..

These clowns remind me of a certain POTUS who has ZERO practical business expertise.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

Burke seems to have a pretty crappy attitude, considering the fact that he is trying to grope at the govt teat for at least half the $ for this project. If he is so confident about the potential of his proposal, and is such a "champion" according to Todd the Clod, why can't he muster all the necessary funds and open the museum as a private-for-profit enterprise???

Something like that would never make money. I hate to say it because I'd love to see the Huber turned into a museum but not one penny of taxpayer funds should go to any of this. The last I heard the County is half a billion in debt, many local communities are either in debt or will be, the state is debt, the feds are up to their eye balls in debt.

Time to face reality and the reality is we don't have money for projects like this.

[theatergypsy]

The people have become accustomed to driving their cars where ever they want to go, and assume parking will be readily available in the immediate vicinity of their destination. A museum on the Square will be competing for downtown parking with office workers and shoppers.

There is not really another tourist attraction in the area that would draw patrons to the site.

There isn't enough money to give to everyone who wants it, and as a taxpayer in Luzerne County, I can't afford to support more projects that will only appeal to a limited audience. Bear in mind that a project of this type will not engender repeat attendance. Locals will go once. Tourists, if they have an interest, will not be returning month after month or every year. Field trips for school children may be a source for attendance, but they already go to the coal mine tour in McDade Park.

Eckley might be a better location for such a project, if Eckley was properly maintained and publicized. Or the coal mine tour in McDade Park. (I know it's not Luzerne County)

Steamtown (the historic site, not the mall) was going to be a shot-in-the-arm for tourism in downtown Scranton? How's that working out?

If it was truly a feasible project, the developers would be willing to come up with the funds to support it on their own, and not panhandle for public monies that we can't afford. JMO

[Magritte25]

There is plenty of parking in Wilkes-Barre now. There is a society for the preservation of the Huber Breaker. I'm not entirely sure that this property on Public Square would be large enough to house a coal mining museum.

Museums do enhance the quality of life in cities. There is no doubt about that. I do believe Steamtown has been good for the city of Scranton. There are lots of train enthusiasts that travel from other states to see it.

Eckley needs a total makeover. It could be a GREAT living history museum. I disagree that locals would only go once to the museum. If it's like other museums it would have revolving exhibits in addition to a permanent one.

I don't think we should poo poo the idea. I think it's a great idea but it needs work.

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by Magritte25

Eckley needs a total makeover. It could be a GREAT living history museum.

I don't think we should poo poo the idea. I think it's a great idea but it needs work.

Why do you think Eckley needs a makeover?

The visitor center is a modern building with plenty of parking.
The patch town is a living history museum, people actually live in the houses circa 1920's style - at least when the tourists are around.



I think it would be a great idea if the promoters of such projects were required to provide a 5 year business plan for public review - to show how much teat will be chomped.

As someone else mentioned, there is not enough $ to go around for basic services, and folks support dumping $ on pipe-dreams (other people's $).

p.s. - I notice the govt $ available was from gambling.. Perhaps the county should revert those funds back to taxpayers (e.g. - senior citizens on fixed incomes) - ala the original snake oil sales line used to garner support for the casinos.

After taxpayer rebates, the county should hold the line on spending.
Lead by example in these trying economic times.

What a Concept !!!

I guess your Mayor is too busy sniffing out possible back-door real-estate deals connected to this project and does not have time for proper business sense!!

[Riverside4ever]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

I have to agree with Coalman.

There is plenty of county property available that is "closer to the source" than a building near public square WB.

I am amazed that the building has been vacant for 37 years!!!
This fact alone speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the present-day and former WB/County leadership.

Todd Vonderheid is a silver-spoon fed *************************!!!!

Burke seems to have a pretty crappy attitude, considering the fact that he is trying to grope at the govt teat for at least half the $ for this project. If he is so confident about the potential of his proposal, and is such a "champion" according to Todd the Clod, why can't he muster all the necessary funds and open the museum as a private-for-profit enterprise???

If he has that much confidence/arrogance, then he should foot the bill & the responsibility to turn a profit or at least break even..

These clowns remind me of a certain POTUS who has ZERO practical business expertise.

I bet there are LOTS of upgrades to that old bank to bring it to current code . prob asbestos in it also ..

That would make a nice bar/rest Call it The Vault , and have a raw bar or sushi in the safe

Its a good looking building . Maybe it really has NOT been empty. Maybe all the pols in the county use that place to hold their secret meetings , and figure out how they can put more money in their pockets

[varmintblaster]

Originally Posted by Riverside4ever

That would make a nice bar/rest Call it The Vault , and have a raw bar or sushi in the safe

Its a good looking building . Maybe it really has NOT been empty. Maybe all the pols in the county use that place to hold their secret meetings , and figure out how they can put more money in their pockets

Just what WB needs - another bar.

The pols hung around Patties Sports Bar, made their bets and back door deals, until someone Ratted them out and their sky fell.

They have a new hangout in Plains Township now - right down the road to their #1 PimpCash Cow - the Mohegan Sun Casino.