ALLENTOWN-BETHLEHEM-EASTON | Lehigh Valley, PA | Regional Development Thread

[PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS]

Originally Posted by KDD

Waiting for the sale of the old State Hospital in Allentown, will be one of the largest projects, maybe thee largest, in the area for quite some time. Though it isn't especially exciting, a little retail, new housing and a new middle school

https://allentownniz.com/construction-planning/

[KDD]

Originally Posted by PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS

https://allentownniz.com/projects/1-center-square/

A proposed mixed use development plan of approximately 200,00 to 300,000 square feet of office space on 11-16 floors located at the prominent corner of 702 Hamilton St preserving the limestone and granite facade of the iconic Merchants National Bank building.

FYI, this has not started. City Center does not have any office projects being built at this time. It is still churning out apartments.

Meanwhile The Waterfront is under construction, the below is a very good development.
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...8353a2d07.html

[PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS]

Originally Posted by KDD

FYI, this has not started. City Center does not have any office projects being built at this time. It is still churning out apartments.

Meanwhile The Waterfront is under construction, the below is a very good development.
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...8353a2d07.html

allentown will be half the population of Pittsburgh in a decade with half a dozen buildings taller than the ppl building?

[Pulkvedis Pods]

I just saw an article (can't read the whole thing, since I don't have a subscription) in the Morning Call about the proposed Landmark (or Pencil) tower. It says the property is up for sale, and a new developer would have to build the tallest building in a 65 county area...

[SouthCentralPA]

Originally Posted by Pulkvedis Pods

I just saw an article (can't read the whole thing, since I don't have a subscription) in the Morning Call about the proposed Landmark (or Pencil) tower. It says the property is up for sale, and a new developer would have to build the tallest building in a 65 county area...

That would be awesome, if true!

[chris08876]

Project: Lehigh Valley Town Center for Lower Macungie Township

An aquarium, performance venue and “experimental” sports retail establishment have joined the list of possibilities for a major proposed development in Lower Macungie Township.

The township’s planning commission met Tuesday to discuss the Lehigh Valley Town Center, a Jaindl Land Co. development proposed for land bordered by Schantz Road, Interstate 78 and Route 222. The parcel is made up of open agricultural land and property formerly owned by Eastern Industries.

The main purpose of the meeting was for the applicants to get a positive recommendation of a zoning ordinance modification that allows the new features as well as increasing the number of apartments units from roughly 360 to anywhere from 550 to about 700 units.

The development would be one of the biggest projects since Hamilton Crossings opened in 2016. It would include a Topgolf entertainment location, a 12,500-square-foot retail grocery store as well as retail, entertainment space and residential units.

Todd Waldo, director of real estate development for Topgolf, said in November the two-story venue would be a big economic driver that would create 300 jobs, bring in tax revenue and host features such as a restaurant, bar and an outdoor dining area.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has criticized the development due to the potential problems of traffic and risks to pedestrian safety.

During the meeting, developer Luke Jaindl went into more detail about the potential sports retail establishment, explaining that what makes it experimental is the possibility for opportunities like customers testing equipment using as virtual reality headsets.

“[An aquarium has] been sought after in the Lehigh Valley for a long time now, and we think it’d be a good fit with the other entertainment uses we have on the property,” he said.

====================
https://www.mcall.com/2023/02/16/is-...-center-plans/

[chris08876]

Project: 410 South Main Street

A Slate Belt borough’s ordinance calls for replacement for all trees of a certain size removed during construction projects.

That would be impossible to do when building a residential complex on a heavily wooded lot, according to the developer.

Pen Argyl Borough Council granted preliminary/final land development approval to Huratiak Homes LLC Monday night.

The approval is for a proposed 276-unit residential complex at 410 S. Main St. The complex will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and 48 three-bedroom townhouses.

The property is currently populated with a high density of trees. The borough ordinance requires trees that are removed that are greater than eight inches in caliper, or width, be replaced.

The developer’s engineer estimated there are 2,750 trees on the 32-acre lot.

=======================
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sla...woodlands.html

[chris08876]

Project: 1170 Eighth Avenue (Bethlehem)

The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday night approved a revised master plan for development of the former site of the 21-story Martin Tower, once headquarters of the Bethlehem Steel Corp., located at 1170 Eighth Ave.

The plan was submitted originally in May 2019. The revised plan reviewed Thursday night changed proposed uses and site layout. The revisions reduced the amount of impervious coverage because much of the parking is proposed to be located under the buildings.

A new plan breakdown reveals 6% of the site will now be used for two medical offices. This is down from the 2019 plan which called for 14% devoted for office space.

A total of 11% of the site is designated for a 200-room, 225,000-square-foot hotel. A proposed gas station, restaurant and retail use has been discarded.

The site's majority — 83% — will be utilized for residential use with 1,085 apartments. The units will inhabit four, five-story buildings and one, four-story building. This is an increase from the plan four years ago, which called for 74% coverage with 528 rental units. One lot will be reserved for future use.

The plan also shows a detention pond as a stormwater facility on a sloped and heavily wooded site area. The city is requesting the developer include infiltration and other alternative stormwater management measures to the extent possible. If a pond is necessary, the city does not want it located on sloped or wooded areas.

=================
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...1961f962e.html

[chris08876]

Project: 2235 W Broad Street/2300 Hanover Avenue* ( Bethlehem - 317 Units)

The asphalt remains of a former automotive dealership on the border between Bethlehem and Allentown could see new life, giving rise to 317 apartments spread among four new buildings.

The proposal is only in the sketch plan phase, meaning final plans still need to be presented for the two cities’ planning commissions to consider for approval.

Allentown planners reviewed the sketch plan in January, said Jesus Sadiua, the Queen City’s senior planner. Bethlehem’s planning commission took a look at the sketch plan Thursday evening, with several neighbors turning out to raise concern about the scale of the proposed buildings dwarfing their homes, stormwater and an increase in traffic in an area that already features a dangerous intersection.

Bethlehem planners on Thursday also approved a separate residential plan with 54 apartments in two buildings at 2897 Easton Ave., along the Bethlehem Township border and across from the Shops at Bethlehem that is anchored by a Giant supermarket.

Each of the four buildings would be five stories, with ground floor parking proposed for the building closest to West Broad Street. That’ll require an additional approval from the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board, to get around a requirement that the first floor contain a commercial use beneath the residential upper floors. The zoning meeting is 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in Bethlehem’s Town Hall, and will also include consideration of permitting building dimensions of 250 and 280 feet rather than the 180 feet allowed without zoning relief.

====================
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bet...neighbors.html

[3rd&Brown]

Originally Posted by chris08876

Project: 410 South Main Street




=======================
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sla...woodlands.html

This is interesting. Pen Argyl is so close to everything in the LHV but also feels so far. Most of the development in the region seems to be on the E-W access. The areas north of Bethlehem for the most part have been untouched.

This is a change to that pattern.

[KDD]

Originally Posted by chris08876

Project: Lehigh Valley Town Center for Lower Macungie Township






====================
https://www.mcall.com/2023/02/16/is-...-center-plans/

Somewhat related, I wonder if the powers that be regret not making the 222 bypass an actual highway.

[Pulkvedis Pods]

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/all...relocates.html

An article from Lehigh Valley Live about PP&L vacating its iconic tower in Center City Allentown. One of my favourite buildings. Here's to hoping that it finds good owners to care for it for many years to come. One speculation is that it might be redeveloped into housing.

[PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS]

Originally Posted by Pulkvedis Pods

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/all...relocates.html

An article from Lehigh Valley Live about PP&L vacating its iconic tower in Center City Allentown. One of my favourite buildings. Here's to hoping that it finds good owners to care for it for many years to come. One speculation is that it might be redeveloped into housing.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...47371c110.html

[KDD]

I almost laughed off the suggestion, given the many failed attempts to build high rise offices in the area since the NIZ. However (my Stephen A Smith voice) this is being presented by a legit LV company to anchor the building, just looking for tenants.

This isn't Bruce Loch in his stupid pencil tower, its a legit company with hundreds of employees looking for a landmark.

BUILD IT


and they may or may not come, I don't care, its not my money.

[SouthCentralPA]

It would be a shame to lose some of the historic buildings that are currently located on the site but at the same time it would be nice to see a new tallest tower constructed! My only concern would be actually being able to fill the office space in this work climate. But maybe it's doable.

[wanderer34]

Originally Posted by PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS

allentown will be half the population of Pittsburgh in a decade with half a dozen buildings taller than the ppl building?

I was hoping that A-town would reach at least 200K sometime in my lifetime. It may not reach that number in a decade, but maybe up to 2050 or 2060 at the latest. A-town is my favorite city in PA outside of Philadelphia, BTW!

[srahman75]

Easton Development Update

The Confluence

The confluence has gone through a redesign with more apartments and fewer parking spots. It has got the conditional approval of city council and construction is expected to start later this summer.

Approval Article:
https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...77066586c.html

Details of the redesign:
https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.town...b1f3e4.pdf.pdf

Progress on Marquis Easton Apartments

Steel has reached the second floor of the Marquis apartments as show in City Center's website

https://www.citycenterallentown.com/...uction-cameras

[srahman75]

https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/p...ly-pittsburgh/

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...7fd838100.html

The proposed Landmark Tower is now rebranded to Peregrine Tower under ownership from the Umran Global Investment Group. The floor count is upped from 33 to 37 and is significantly more residential with the composition being 70% residential and 30% retail.

[DMRyan]

I was looking at some aerials of Allentown and couldn't help but notice how there was an inordinate amount of green roofs that have been installed on many downtown buildings. Is there some kind of incentive that the city has in place to encourage installation of green roofs?

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by PENNSYLVANIAPROGRESS

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehig...47371c110.html

Love that tower rendering!