Boscola Announces $13,275,000 in State Funding for Lehigh Valley Redevelopment Projects

November 1, 2024

Bethlehem, November 1, 2024 - State Sen. Lisa Boscola today announced $13,275,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding to eleven redevelopment projects in the Lehigh Valley.

"I am pleased to announce the investment of these state dollars that allow these important regional economic and community development projects to move forward," Senator Lisa Boscola stated. "The Commonwealth recognizes that by partnering on these economic and community development projects, we are helping make them a reality and improving our local and state economy."

The following projects/beneficiaries being awarded RACP funding are:

• Mill at Easton Phase III, Stewart Silk Mill Redevelopment Company, City of Easton ($3,625,000);
• Lehigh Valley Semiconductor Development Center, Newark Broad LLC, City of Bethlehem ($2,500,000);
• Portland Power Plant Remdiation II, RPL East, LLC, Upper Mt Bethel Township ($1,5000,000);
• LHF Machine Shop Upender Phase 2, Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation, City of Bethlehem ($1,400,000);
• Hellertown Medical Office, PD Hellertown, LLC, Borough of Hellertown, ($1,250,000);
• Johnston Mansion Renovation, Bethlehem Township ($1,000,000);
• Dixie Cup Factory Site Redevelopment, Skyline Investment Group Easton, LLC, Wilson Borough ($500,000);
• Greater Valley YMCA, Nazareth Branch, Greater Valley Young Men's Christian Association, Nazareth Borough ($500,000);
• Nurture Nature Center Improvements, The Nurture Nature Center, City of Easton ($500,000);
• Steel General Office Complex Selective Demo and Abatement, Peron Development, City of Bethlehem ($250,000);
• Watermark Easton, Phase II, Watermark Easton, LLC, City of Easton ($250,000).

"The Lehigh Valley delegation has once again acted in a bi-partisan manner along with the Governor to make funding for these joint priorities a reality," Boscola stated. "The Lehigh Valley delegation recognizes the importance of these redevelopment and community projects and the impact they will have to promote economic growth and improve our communities."

The Mill at Easton project will entail the construction and development of a Federally Qualified Health Care Clinic ("FQHC") to be operated by Valley Health Partners, an affiliate of the Lehigh Valley Health Network, which will offer a wide range of services, including pediatrics, family medicine, vision, dental, integrated behavioral health, OB/GYN, social services, and a walk-in pharmacy. As an FQHC, Valley Health Partners is a true health equity agent.

The first phase of the Lehigh Valley Semiconductor Development Center project will involve acquiring a building with 48,000 square feet of cleanrooms, labs, and offices. The second phase of the project will focus on repairing the existing lab rooms and infrastructure. This will completely renovate the building interior and upgrade its cleanrooms. A new GaN reactor, HVPE units, and other research equipment will also be constructed. The third phase of the project will involve further upgrading the facility's clean rooms and physical plants. Finally, the fourth phase will involve transforming the facility such that 80-90% of the building consists of "high/highest purity" clean rooms.

The Portland Power Plant Remediation project includes abatement of hazardous materials at the Upper Mt Bethel Township site, and demolition of one of the boilers. The funding award will expedite the redevelopment of the site.

Funding for the Lehigh Heavy Forge Machine Shop Upender Phase 2 will be utilized to finalize the engineering aspects of the project as well as purchase and install the foundation, equipment, and ancillary components of the Upender. Installation and use of the Upender will maintain safe and continued supply, as well as improved efficiency and reduction of incidents and supply chain disruption.

The Hellertown Medical Office project calls for the abatement and demolition of a former industrial manufacturing facility and the construction of a Medical Office Building. The funds will be used to assist in the acquisition of the property, the abatement and demolition of the existing building, the protection of the existing environmental protective cap and the implementation of the site improvements proposed across the property necessary for the construction of the Medical Office Building.

Funding for the Johnston Mansion Renovation project will allow Bethlehem Township to do a complete renovation of the mansion's first floor, including substantial improvements to the building's electrical, plumbing, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems. The renovation also includes a fire-suppression system (sprinkler) with water tank and service. The proposed renovation also includes improvements to walls, floors, floor coverings, and ceilings, as necessary to bring the building into compliance with modern building codes.

Funding for the Dixie Cup Factory Site Redevelopment Project will be used for specific hard-cost construction expenses. The intended use of funds will be for the public site improvements including open space improvements, overall site landscaping, upgrading site utilities, and improving the public venue along the Two Rivers Trail. Other potential uses of funds include remediation of hazardous materials, demolition of non-historic elements, structural stabilization of buildings, and new fire protection systems.

Greater Valley YMCA will use the grant award to renovate the Nazareth Y, which is a downtown Nazareth landmark located at 33 S. Main Street. Funds will be used to support the project's direct construction costs, including, but not limited to, concrete, masonry, steel work, carpentry, roofing, framing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, environmental cleanup, equipment, escalations, etc.

The Nurture Nature Center will use RACP funds for construction costs related to the building envelope restoration, infrastructure and sustainability upgrades as follows: Rehabilitation of the historic Northampton Street façade, including: repointing masonry; air sealing; repair and preservation of wood trim; stabilization and/or replacement of existing ornamental masonry; Building envelope improvements, including a complete roof replacement with a new, thermally improved roofing system as well as new window and door systems; Structural reinforcement of the roof; Replacement of outdated HVAC system.

The Steel General Office Complex Selective Demo and Abatement project will address the deteriorated condition of the building. Currently, there is significant asbestos abatement that must occur in order for an adaptive reuse to be a viable option. Furthermore, the complete interior will need to be demolished to make for a clean core and shell that can then serve as the starting point for the new construction.

Watermark Easton is a new construction project located at 45 Larry Holmes Drive in Easton that includes a 250-space parking deck flanked by two buildings containing a total of 150 apartment units. Each building will be approximately 21,700 square feet and offer residential space with balconies and views of the Delaware River. All parking required for the development will be provided for on-site, so this project will not burden the already stressed parking infrastructure of the city.

The RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) is used for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. Qualifying projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, help create or maintain jobs, and generate economic activity.

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