Bethlehem wants to know from residents what they think the South Side should look like
Bethlehem is trying to strike a balance between new, modern development and preserving the historic South Side, where the architecture ranges from modest storefronts and rowhomes to elaborate Queen Anne-style buildings with turrets and gables.
The city’s Planning and Zoning Bureau wants to hear what type of development residents and others envision during a virtual forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Is it predominantly a historic district, an arts district or college town? Is it a regional retail market, or an area that features smaller mom-andpop businesses?
“How do we want it to be?
Then I think wecan hone in on what types of guidelines and policies to have in place,” said Darlene Heller, the city’s planning director.
City officials are undertaking a study of the South Side’s historic district thanks to a Pennsylvania Certified Local Government grant. They hired as a consultant the Urban Research & Development Corp. and are working with local architect Christine Ussler, said Alicia Miller Karner, the city’s director of community and economic development.
They hope to complete the study by the end of the year.
“Over the last several years, we have run into conflicts over proposed development and the historic conservation district,” Karner said.
“With the interest of all parties involved, from the Historic Conservation Commission to developers and city administrators, we applied for funding to be able to examine in greater details the pressures we are experiencing on the South Side.”
The purpose of the Historic Conservation District is to protect property values and preserve the physical history of the area, while fostering economic development.
The district is bordered on the north by Second, Columbia and Evans streets; on the east by Wyandotte Street; on the west by Hayes Street; and on the south by Morton Street. It includes commercial, institutional and mixed-use buildings, the majority of which are from 1900-1950.
Gary Lader, an architect who serves on the city’s Historical
Conservation Commission, said developers have been requesting more density and taller buildings.
“What do you do when a developer comes in and wants to build a seven- or eight-story building where most of the buildings are only three or four stories?” Lader said. “I think that’s part of what this study is about. It’s trying to find some guidelines, trying to get community input as to what people want to see.”
Those who want to participate in the meeting can connect via Zoom with the meeting ID 952 3152 6460 (pass code not required); or by calling 301-715-8592.