Pottsville’s unsuccessful attempt to secure the highly sought-after City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) designation has ignited a political dispute, marked by sharp exchanges over downtown revitalization efforts and the use of public grants a little more than a week before the General Election.
Wollyung Cites “Systematic Breakdown” in CRIZ Process
City Council member and mayoral candidate Andy Wollyung sparked the discussion with comments criticizing the handling of the CRIZ process, suggesting that State Senator Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) was “more interested in politics than helping Pottsville move forward.”
Wollyung later clarified that his remarks were not meant as a personal attack, but rather as an effort to highlight what he called a “systematic breakdown” in the process. He described the loss of the CRIZ as a “dropped opportunity” for Pottsville and said the city had not collaborated enough with outside partners such as the Pottsville Business Association, which had offered support.
He pointed to the success of the CRIZ program in Tamaqua, where new business taxes and tax relief have supported revitalization efforts, but cautioned that the program alone was not a cure-all, noting that Reading—another CRIZ recipient—recently faced challenges unrelated to the designation, including flooding.
Argall Calls Claims “Simply Lies”
State Senator Dave Argall issued a strong rebuttal to Wollyung’s comments, calling them “simply lies” and pointing to his long-standing record of advocating for Pottsville.
“My record on supporting Pottsville’s revitalization efforts speaks for itself,” Argall said. “For years, I’ve worked closely with local officials, business leaders, and community organizations to help breathe new life into downtown Pottsville by attracting new public and private investments and family-sustaining jobs. That includes consistent, bipartisan efforts to try and secure a CRIZ designation with my strongest possible support for the city, as clearly stated in my letter to DCED Secretary Rick Siger after the City submitted their application in October 2024.”
Argall emphasized that his office repeatedly pushed for Pottsville’s inclusion in the CRIZ program and directly assisted by notifying the Mayor and City Council President months before the application deadline. He highlighted millions of dollars in grants and state investments secured for the city in recent years, benefiting infrastructure, housing, and small business development through the Redevelopment Authority and the Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO).
“Anyone who has worked with me knows my top priority has always been helping our local communities succeed—Republican, Democrat, or Independent,” Argall said. “I won’t stand by while someone tries to rewrite history with blatant lies.”
He also pointed to his and his staff’s ongoing involvement in local revitalization efforts, noting that they have attended countless meetings over the years with agencies such as the Pottsville Sewer Authority, Redevelopment Authority, PADCO, and the Pottsville Business Association.
“My team and I are constantly at the table—supporting city leaders, helping identify state funding opportunities, and working through complex issues to ensure Pottsville’s continued revitalization. We’ve been there every step of the way and will continue to be,” Argall said.
Business Owners Defend Use of Grants
Amid the political dispute, downtown Pottsville business owners issued a joint statement pushing back against remarks suggesting they had “taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city and turned it into assets for themselves.”
In their statement, the business owners stressed that downtown’s revival is built on “risk, sacrifice, and hard work”—not handouts.
“Many of us have taken over blighted, vacant buildings, some on the verge of condemnation, many of which sat empty for decades,” the statement read. “These properties, once scars on our downtown, have been transformed into vibrant storefronts and thriving businesses that serve our community every day.”
They noted that collectively, owners have invested nearly $8 million into downtown Pottsville, often taking out loans backed by personal assets such as homes, vehicles, and family farms. Together, their businesses now employ more than 50 local residents, with expectations for further job growth as more projects are completed.
The group emphasized that while grant programs have helped, those funds accounted for less than 15% of total project costs. Each grant was reviewed and approved by a five-member board appointed by the City of Pottsville, ensuring transparency and accountability. All funding was reinvested into restoring historic architecture, improving safety, and redeveloping long-neglected properties.
They also highlighted that the grant programs were made possible through Keystone Community Grant funding secured in 2018 by Senator Argall and former Representatives Neal Goodman and Mike Tobash, along with a $1 million contribution from Dick Yuengling through a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) reimbursement for the Mahantongo Street deck project.
“Today, our businesses contribute to the city’s tax base—including the Business Privilege Tax, state sales tax, and soon the county hotel tax—while continuing to drive economic growth and activity downtown,” the statement concluded. “We are proud to be part of a community that is once again becoming a destination for both locals and visitors, thanks to hardworking entrepreneurs dedicated to bettering our city.”
The joint statement was signed by:
- Joe & Joseph Drasdis, Drasdis & Son
- Jared & Allie Doran, Arrow Studio & Events
- Bobby Weaver, Black Rock Brewing
- Josiah & Angela Meck, The Farm Store
- Jon & Liz Marsh; Alex & Samantha Chivinski, The Chopping Block
- Bill Metzinger, Hannah Corbacio, Nick Hair, The Rosalia Hotel
