Reading officials, state lawmakers and business leaders gathered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday to highlight ongoing investment in the city and make the case for continued state support of Reading’s redevelopment efforts.
Mayor Eddie Morán led the event in the Capitol Rotunda, joined by members of the city’s legislative delegation, municipal officials, business leaders, educational institutions and community organizations.
Morán framed the presentation as an opportunity to show state leaders and potential investors what he described as growing economic momentum in Reading.
“I came here today with a simple message. Reading is ready,” Morán said. “Ready to build, ready to invest, ready to grow, ready to take our place as one of Pennsylvania’s great comeback cities.”
Among the figures highlighted by Morán was a pipeline of more than $100 million in private-sector investment in Reading, with more than half directed toward downtown projects. He also pointed to the city’s City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, designation as an important tool for supporting future development.
The program highlighted projects involving downtown redevelopment, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne initiative, potential passenger rail service and plans to better connect the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading with Santander Arena.
Morán also cited increased development activity within city government, saying Reading completed 424 land reviews last year, approved 351 permit applications and issued 1,194 permits, a 42% year-over-year increase.
“Those numbers really do matter, folks, because behind every permit is a project, and behind every project is an investment,” Morán said. “And behind that investment are jobs, businesses, homes, and opportunity.”
Public safety was also part of the city’s economic development message. Morán said crime dropped 14% citywide last year while shots-fired incidents declined by nearly 40%.
State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz used her remarks to call for continued improvements within city government, including modernizing ordinances, reducing unnecessary barriers and improving the permitting process.
She said Reading has the residents, businesses, investors and government resources necessary for revitalization but argued that progress should be measured by results.
“I’m not interested in another slogan,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “I want a commitment. I want measurable goals. I want timelines. I want transparency, accountability, and I want results.”
State Rep. Manny Guzman offered a more supportive assessment of the city’s direction, saying Reading has gained greater recognition in Harrisburg in recent years and pointing to declining violence and increased economic development.
Business leaders also outlined projects they believe could contribute to Reading’s continued redevelopment.
Jim Boscov, chairman and CEO of Boscov’s Department Store and chairman of nonprofit Our City Reading, discussed redevelopment efforts involving several downtown properties.
Boscov said the organization invested $25 million into a 52,000-square-foot building connected to the GoggleWorks complex, which now includes a commercial kitchen addressing food insecurity along with educational and business development uses.
He also discussed plans involving a vacant 132,000-square-foot building at Fifth and Penn streets and efforts to bring additional employees and organizations downtown.
Another project highlighted was a proposed skybridge connecting the DoubleTree hotel and Santander Arena, which Boscov said could help Reading attract more conventions.
Based on studies conducted for the project, Boscov said the connection could help attract 20 to 25 conventions annually, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $8 million for the city and more than $11 million for Berks County.
“We wouldn’t be doing that if we didn’t have the support of our legislators here at Harrisburg and the cooperation of the City of Reading,” Boscov said.
Representatives of Customers Bank also emphasized the potential for passenger rail service, riverfront development and continued public-private investment.
Sweet Street Desserts founder Sandy Solmon focused on the importance of making Reading a place capable of attracting and retaining workers.
“The business does not grow on recipes. It grows on people,” Solmon said.
She said attracting talent has historically been easier for the company’s Greenville, South Carolina, operation than its Reading headquarters, in part because of investments Greenville made in its downtown.
Solmon pointed to the planned second phase of GoggleWorks’ Art Park as an example of how Reading could create additional public spaces and activity downtown. She said economic modeling indicates the project could help catalyze $125 million in surrounding neighborhood investment.
State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock opened the event by saying Reading’s recent investment and redevelopment warranted greater attention in Harrisburg.
“There is a lot happening in Reading right now, and I think it’s important that we tell the story here in Harrisburg,” Rusnock said. “Reading is a city with a proud history, a strong business community, and tremendous potential for the future.”
Morán closed the event by encouraging those in attendance to spread the city’s message to developers, entrepreneurs and investors.
“The tools are here. The investment is coming. The people are ready. And the doors are open,” Morán said.