Best PA Mid-Sized Urban Renaissance?

[pj3000]

^ In some ways, yes, Erie is quite dissimilar from the rest of PA. Being Pennsylvania's only Great Lakes city makes it truly unique in the state. Given that it is a lake port, it has more in common with cities like Buffalo and Cleveland, than it does with other cities in its own state. However, Erie is still western Pennsylvania and shares common bonds via culture and commerce with Pittsburgh... always has. Erie is all by itself in more ways than one on the Lake Erie Plain. Even nearby smaller cities and rural couties in NW PA are more like the rest of the state than Erie (Meadville, Oil City, Franklin are all secluded river towns more like Johnstown, Altoona, and Pittsburgh to a small degree). It is even less like cities in south central PA (York, Lancaster, etc.) which have had primarliy highly agricultural-based economies. Whereas, Erie is a true industrial port city that was characterized by commerce and trade bringing in influence from outside areas. It's a characteristic displayed by the ethnic and religious makeup of Erie throughout its history, as well... one that is more similar to larger cities (Erie has/had high percentage populations of Italian, Irish, and Polish; and is overwhlemingly Catholic).

It's defintiely true that Erie is more closely aligned culturally with western NY than with anywhere else. The metro area is often referred to as the Erie-Chautauqua region (Chautauqua being a bordering county in SW NY). It's very common to see many New York and Ohio license plates throughout the Erie area. And, it's certain that people from Buffalo and other areas of Western NY are far more familiar with Erie than people from say, Harrisburg, Allentown, or Scranton. It's all about proximity. It's interesting that Erie is so unknown by much of its own state, but it really goes both ways... in that, people from Erie are much more familiar with Buffalo, Cleveland, Jamestown, Youngstown, etc. than they are with Allentown, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Reading, etc.

[pj3000]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

Most of the cities in Pa. are in clusters Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Harrisburg/Lancaster/York/Reading. Erie, on the other hand is way out in the northwest corner of the state all alone. I think alot of people forget about Erie because of this. It almost should belong to Ohio, with Cleveland and Toledo.

That's the thing though... it's not really all alone. True, it does not have a "sister" city right next door, but it sits equidistant from three major metro areas in Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh... with each metro area's influence playing a part in the culture and commerce of Erie. Erie was originally planned to be a major city. Ellicott was commissioned to lay the city out to become Pennsylvania's metropolis on the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, because the rest of Pennsylvania has no affiliataion with the Great Lakes, Erie throughout its history has always been an afterthought.

It's interesting to note how every other Great Lakes state other than PA has their largest or second largest city on their lakeshore/lake system: NY = Buffalo, Rochester; Ohio = Cleveland, Toledo; Michigan = Detroit; Illinois = Chicago; Wisconsin = Milwaukee; Ontario = Toronto; Quebec = Montreal. All of those other states/provinces have much longer lakeshores and therefore the population is just that much more familiar with the value of the lakes. Pennsylvania has long not taken advantage of it and still fails to (especially troubling is that Erie has the finest natural harbor on the Great Lakes).

Erie should atually almost belong to NY with Buffalo rather than Ohio. It's cultural affiliation is closer with NY than with Ohio, or even Pennsylvania. Erie's urbanized area stretches further to the east towards Buffalo and Jamestown than it does west towards Cleveland or south towards Pittsburgh.

[marco1114]

My vote would be for my hometown Bethlehem. I have been to most of the other cities, mostly for business. One thing that makes Bethlehem unique is the fact that it was founded early (1741) but only became a city late (1917). As a result, Bethlehem developed much differently than any other city on the list. Before 1917, it was a seies of boroughs and villages, knitted together to form the present city. Because Bethlehem developed in this fashion and because it is so large (20 sq. miles) it's "skyline" is spread out over a large area. Also, Bethlehem is hilly and large buildings are not clustered upon level land. Despite this, Bethlehem has a physically beautiful appearance, with rolling hillsides and many, many trees. Bethlehem has (unlike many other similar cities) not had to "come back". Bethlehem, despite the loss of the steel industry, has stayed in good shape over the years due to good civic leadership and pride. As we speak, the city is transitioning to a service-based economy, with a real move toward tourism. In addition to many annual events on its calendar, soon, the former steel land (1/5th of the land mass) will be converted to a new downtown square with residential components, commercial activity, and major entertainment including PA's best casino. Also on the land, light industrial development with job opportunities.

I see Scranton and Wilkes-Barre as gems awaiting a rebirth, but they need leadership. Harrisburg is fortunate that it has had one leader for thirty years and has been the seat of state government, ensuring lots of financial attention

Love the forum.

[SewickleyPA]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

Most of the cities in Pa. are in clusters Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Harrisburg/Lancaster/York/Reading. Erie, on the other hand is way out in the northwest corner of the state all alone. I think alot of people forget about Erie because of this. It almost should belong to Ohio, with Cleveland and Toledo.

You only mentioned the eastern third of the state.

[lwrobl17]

for those of you whos vote is for Erie...i guess by rebound you are referring to mismanaged funding, corrupt politics, rapidly rising crime rates,the worst poverty/economic numbers in the state, and continued "eye sores" through out the area...my vote is for scranton..just because Dwight K Shrute lives there...