Planners to review apartment projects
The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday will review site plans for three major projects that, if approved, would bring a total of 172 new apartment units and new retail space to the city.
The planners will meet virtually at 5 p.m.
■ Skyline West: Proposed for 143 W. Broad St., the 50-unit apartment project is getting back on track after the city’s Redevelopment Authority settled a title dispute on the property last year. It was touted as bringing the first market-rate apartments to the city in 30 years.
First proposed in January 2018, the $15 million complex was delayed when it was discovered that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has rights on two tiny parcels, totaling 0.05 acres.
The 1.3 acre tract where Skyline West would be built was part of Bethlehem’s urban renewal and PennDOT acquired it when Route 378 was constructed 50 years ago. Now the land is no longer needed for transportation. The process of clearing the title took a year.
The project also faced opposition because it will require the removal of a rundown 20th century home with Colonial Revival architecture that opponents say is part of Bethlehem’s historic landscape. Neighboring homes were removed nearly 50 years ago when Route 378 was built, isolating the house between a hillside by the highway and the Monocacy Creek.
City Council approved the demolition in 2018, against the advice of its historic board.
The project is proposed by Musikfest founder Jeff Parks and attorneys Dennis, Garrett and Brandon Benner.
Dennis Benner on Monday said he’s already received 30 or 40 inquires about the project, even though construction has yet to start. He believes it is because Skyline West will bring residents within walking distance of the historic downtown.
“I think it’s because of its proximity to the urban core and North Side of downtown Bethlehem. This will be fabulous for the merchants on Main Street,” Benner said.
The project will be five stories set into the hillside. It would also include a 68-space parking deck below the building and amenities such as a courtyard, outdoor deck and gym for residents. Even though plans are being presented Thursday, the project will still need additional zoning and planning approvals, Benner said.
■ 250 E. Broad St.: This project, which would lease space to the Bethlehem Food Co-op, calls for demolishing an existing one-story building and constructing a new, four-story building with the co-op’s full-service grocery store on the first floor and 42 residential units above.
The project is being proposed by Michael Perrucci’s Peron Development. Peron is partnering with Boyle construction on the project. A representative for the developer did not immediately return a phone call for comment Monday.
The Bethlehem Food Co-op had been looking for a space for a community-owned grocery store for 10 years when they announced the new location last month. The store is expected to open some time in 2022.
It will be 6,500 square feet with 4,500 square feet dedicated to retail.
A capital campaign will launch in the spring to raise $1.7 million to build and outfit the store. The funds will be raised from donations, member loans, bank loans and grants. Each of the nine members of the co-op’s board of directors also has signed a “leadership commitment” to financially support the new store.
It will be open to all shoppers. Plans include soliciting local vendors to supply produce and products, as well as the inclusion of bulk bins, a community kitchen, community meeting room, small area for outdoor dining, a bike rack and off-street parking.
■ 404 E. 3rd. St.: Developer Lou Pektor, under Mechanic Street Development Associates LP, is proposing to turn an empty parking lot at the site into a sevenstory mixed-use building with first and second floor retail and 80 dwelling units above.
Pektor is looking to “cultivate the perfect combination of captivating retail users and premier residential units,” said a Monday afternoon news release from the developer. “This blend of two commercial/retail floors and 80 dwelling units will be the highest and best possible use for the location.”
Pektor’s team has been working with city planners and zoners for several months on the plan.
Mechanic Street Development Associates LP is working with JKRP Architects as well as Bohler Engineering on the proposed project.