Today, I pulled onto the upper level of the parking garage and grabbed my camera to quickly shoot the destruction of Kaufmann’s and Sons Wedding World in Downtown Altoona. Despite the cold and the dust it was riveting to watch these guys work. This demolition is a far cry from the first days as seen in our earlier blog.

 

 

 

 

 

The scene dragged me down to the street level to get some shots of the big cranes at work. In the process I was able to talk to a couple of our city’s Police Officers, Mike and Pat. They told me people have been ignoring the yellow tape and have walked in the demolition area to get a good look inside. Pat said people remember the days when they shopped in these stores and want to take one more look. Mike and Pat are there to keep people safe from themselves. Why walk into a demolition site?

 

         

 

While I was walking around downtown Altoona people lamented about the old days. One visitor to our fair city asked his friend, “So this use to be a thriving downtown?” the friend said “at one time”. Many people see the sign of this building as further evidence that Downtown is dead but I encourage you to take another look.

 

Since moving my office downtown, I have seen our third floor office space fill up. New tenants are renting office space in downtown every month. Technology companies, financial service companies, retail, and more. Events have drawn people make to the downtown. This Thursday will see the Holiday Parade with over 50 units. The streets will be packed three rows deep all along the parade route. Downtown jazz festivals, concerts, the Live at Five series at the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the farmer’s markets and more, bring people to socialize and enjoy the city. The station Medical center and the new trail “The Health Walk” are all encouraging signs.

 

I believe there is strong hope for a new Downtown. Many people (Penn State, LeBistro, Michael’s Café, America's Stories, Fusco/Riley, Shirley’s Shoes, KIZ Resources, The Chalk Box McIntyre’s Candies, Greater Altoona Economic Development Corporation, The Community Foundation, Mountain View Eye Associates, Station Medical Center, The Railroader’s Memorial Museum, and more) are stacking a claim that this will work. I may hate to see this old building torn down but I know when the dust settles something grand will replace this building. Keep the faith. The groundwork for Downtown Altoona to be a Cultural Mecca is being laid. The signs are everywhere, just go downtown and take a look around.