Hot on the heels of the news that major portions of the Bethlehem Steel plant will be saved, and that plans for a Mal*Wart on the site of the Lehigh & New England Pen Argyl shops have been scrapped comes more preservation news from PA...

The incredibly important Huber Colliery in Ashley, PA will be saved. I am glad it will be saved, but I am very sorry it had to come via eminent domain. I am supporting fights against eminent domain, as it usually hurts preservationists. But, that's a topic for e-mail, IM or beers one night... Ashley is a battle where the politicos sided with history.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16481177.htm

Also of note, the Lehigh Valley RR stores building in Packerton has seen demolition begin, despite the active effort to preserve it. Packerton is a battle where the politicos did not side with history. While that dissapoints me, preservationists should note that the county has ruled in favor of railroad preservation issues in the past.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_1packertonjan17,0,5632814.story


Rob

I too am not in favor of eminent domain in the manner it has been used to displace families and businesses so a select few companies and individuals can get richer. But in this instance, it works.

In our case here in Pemberton Township, NJ, eminent domain is the last resort before Wawa gets the green light to tear up the last PRR yard in NJ. But we doubt that we can find the support from the county to exercise eminent domain against Wawa. Wawa says their super store will be open by the end of the year. So I expect to see heavy equipment pulling up the track and ties, digging out the turntable pit, knocking down the old prefabricated housing factory and the work sheds in the back of the yard real soon.

Later!
Mr. Ed