Reading is primed for opportunity and growth, Mayor Eddie Moran said in response to the state designating Reading as an Urban Revitalization and Improvement Zone.
“The reading is done,” Moran said. “Let me say that again. Reading is done. OK? Reading is ready to take its place as a city of opportunity; ready to attract the kind of investments and developments that will transform our future; ready to welcome new businesses, create jobs and promote innovation; ready to show that our community is stronger, more resilient and more ambitious than ever before.”
The mayor said the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, will equip the city with powerful tools to reinvest tax revenues in projects that will strengthen the community and improve residents’ quality of life.
“We’re talking about real change, people: new businesses, new jobs and a renewed sense of pride and energy in our community,” he said. “That’s huge.”
The program allows for the reinvestment of state and local taxes collected within a designated area of not more than 300 acres to stimulate economic development projects within that area.
PA approves revitalization zone for Reading
The mayor thanked his administration, the city’s CRIZ authority, state representatives Johanna Cepeda-Freytiz and Manny Guzman, and state senator Judy Schwank for helping the city achieve the title.
But the appointment is just a starting point, he said. Making the program work for Reading will require focus, dedication, unity and synergy, he said.
“The real work starts now,” Moran said. “We must move forward with intention and ensure these resources are used in a way that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. Together we will ensure that this opportunity delivers sustainable, meaningful growth to every corner of our city.”
Reading’s proposed zone consists of non-contiguous parcels of land in various parts of the city, including several former industrial sites, such as the Glidden Paints site on Bern Street. It also includes about 30 acres in the Penn Street corridor downtown, about 17 acres in the Canal Street area and nearly 15 acres on Washington Street.
Reading officials added the former Dana Corp. site in December. to the revitalization zone. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The designation has the potential to generate $300 million in economic activity in Reading, the mayor said.
But don’t expect this to happen overnight, he said, noting that it could take up to 30 years for the full impact of the program to be felt.
Moran also thanked the City Council and the Reading School District Board of Directors for their support of the application.
Council members celebrated the achievement and collaboration of local and state leaders that made this possible during a special meeting last Monday.
Councilman Jaime Baez Jr. called the CRIZ designation a huge achievement and praised everyone involved.
“It really shows the leadership under this current mayoral administration and current city council,” he said. “This will be transformative for our community.”
The Council called the special meeting to reallocate the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds before the year-end date.
The remaining funds, totaling $2,625,000, were transferred to nonprofit projects from completed capital improvement projects or projects that could not be completed in time to qualify for ARPA funding.
The following reallocations were approved:
• Finanta Credit Union, $1 million.
• Our City Reading/Helping Harvest project at GoggleWorks II, $500,000.
• Berks Community Health Center, $250,000.
• HDC Mid-Atlantic affordable housing project, $250,000.
• Salvation Army, $250,000.
• Opportunity home $200,000.
• Genesius Theater, $50,000.
• Berks Latino Room, $50,000.
• Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, $50,000.
• Rudden Family Foundation, $25,000.
“These are some great, great organizations that are doing a lot of good,” said Jack Gombach, city director, on behalf of Moran’s administration. “The city is blessed to have these organizations doing this work. We are very excited to support them.”
