Congrats to the movers and shakers of Bethlehem for winning
the 2018 “Commonwealth Awards” for Smart Growth development in Pennsylvania. The Awards, given out annually by
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania (full disclosure: they have been a client of
mine), showcase the best development in the state.
Bethlehem is a real success story. Stuck with the largest brownfield in the US in the aftermath
of Bethlehem Steel’s closure, they have built on their strengths and turned
around their weaknesses, now calling Bethlehem – with some justification – “the
coolest small city in America.”
Some keys to their success: casino money (Sands) carefully targeted
for redevelopment, a transformative mayor (John Callahan, one of the honorees),
active colleges (Lehigh, Moravian), supportive business and civic groups. As Callahan pointed out, there was no
guarantee of success and many cities with similar challenges have failed to
overcome then.
The old Bethlehem Steel brownfield site is now home to the
Artsquest Center (website here), the Christkindlmarkt Christmas market,
concerts, and more. The impressive
old Bethlehem blast furnace complex (“SteelStacks”) has been kept as a monument
to the past and a focal point for the future.
Some of my favorite new projects:
·
Southside Commons – A new apartment complex for
Lehigh upperclassmen and grad students, linking the university to the Southside
business district (link here)
·
Five10Flats - Another new apartment complex on
the Southside, this one offering “upscale urban living,” complete with a
Starbucks, fitness center, rooftop terrace, and an indoor dog wash (here).
·
South Bethlehem Greenway – A rails-to-trails
multi-use greenway connecting many of the Southside activity centers (here).
Congrats to the civic leaders of Bethlehem for their efforts and congrats also to 10,000 Friends
for their continued leadership for Smart Growth in Pennsylvania.
