You can bet your bottom dollar that Bottom Dollar grocery store is coming to Stefko Boulevard, the first store of its kind in Pennsylvania. An 18,279 square foot store, with 93 parking places, will be built at the 3.7 acre site of Pharmachem Specialties, located at the northwest intersection of Stefko Boulevard and East North Street. It will be just north of the WaWa already in operation at Broad and Stefko.Jason Engelhardt, of Langan Engineering, submitted a development plan on August 19. And on August 25, he and Allentown Attorney James Preston asked the Zoning Hearing Board to permit the grocery store to operate in what is technically a light industrial zone.
Preston, departing from his usual terse legal arguments, enthusiastically explained how Bottom Dollar works. Most grocery stores carry numerous brands of the same product, but this full-size grocer carries only three, including its own. This allows for more aisle space, like the 13,000 square feet being planned for the Stefko site. The store will also feature fresh produce, but no butcher.
Pharmachem Specialties, which manufactured a bio-polymer, ceased operations at the proposed site last February. Engelhardt told zoners that, in addition to a 21,000 sq ft industrial plant, there are above ground storage tanks. Bore samples also reveal a lot of ash and cinders at the site, "less than ideal" for supporting a grocery store. Another engineering challenge is a 40' change in elevation from Stefko to the western boundary.
Zoner Glenn Taggart, like Planning Chair Lawrence Krauter, suggested that the grocery store be built closer to Stefko Boulevard. "We certainly will consider that," answered Engelhardt.
Zoners unanimously approved the operation of this grocery store in a light industrial area, especially since the new Zoning Ordinance will rezone this area to commercial. they also approved signage on the building and at two monuments.
"Now, can we weigh in on the three brands of bacon?" joked Zoner William Fitzpatrick.
In other business, Nick's Pizza, located at the 800 block of Main Street, was given permission to sell more Italian cuisine. Owner Nick Bozakis, represented by Bethlehem Attorney James Holzinger, told zoners he'd like to add six tables in a vacant adjoining building, which has operated as a video store, gift shop, notary and cell phone store.
Christopher Brown, a son of legendary Bethlehem public servant Charlie Brown, was given the nod for a small, 15' x13' rear yard addition to his Evergreen Place home. And Sergio DeLaHoz was allowed to relocate his check cashing business to 333 Broadway, which is just two doors away from his current location. Zoners noted he will still be 1,000' away from any other check cashing business and over 5,000' away from the casino.
20 comments:
That is going to be one overcrowded intersection once that store is operating. These guys never give a shit about the traffic.
building just to say look what johnny did no consideration of traffic as usual
where's the new grocery store on the south side?
What are they doing about the highly congested traffic patterns at this intersection, it's like a Five Points nightmare.
To add to 1:19's post: What is city going to do to protect Pembroke Road residents as they cross Stefko. It is impossible to cross this road with any safety as Turn on Red is allowed at all these intersections, including the fact that Stefko
is a major heavy duty truck
route, including Just Born deliveries and shipments.
Bernie, maybe you could interview a traffic engineer to seek an independent opinion on these serious traffic issues.
"That is going to be one overcrowded intersection once that store is operating. These guys never give a shit about the traffic."
Wasn't this one of the arguments against Lowe's? How is that working out? Pretty good, IMO.
Bernie
Maybe someone knows how Fountain Hill is going to handle
Broadway traffic to the Bottom Dollar, especially shoppers
from Salisbury Township via Emmaus Avenue. That portion of Broadway into Bethlehem is single lane downhill that not only
includes an entrance into a Kids Peace complex but becomes very icy during winter storms. Are drivers from Broadway going to be allowed to turn left into the store's parking lot?
To add to 1:19's post: What is city going to do to protect Pembroke Road residents as they cross Stefko. It is impossible to cross this road with any safety as Turn on Red is allowed at all these intersections, including the fact that Stefko
is a major heavy duty truck
route, including Just Born deliveries and shipments.
Bernie, maybe you could interview a traffic engineer to seek an independent opinion on these serious traffic issues.
6:17 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
"That is going to be one overcrowded intersection once that store is operating. These guys never give a shit about the traffic."
Wasn't this one of the arguments against Lowe's? How is that working out? Pretty good, IMO.
6:50 AM
There's no comparison to the Lowes especially since Martin Tower has been closed the entire time the Lowes has been in operation. The Stefko store intersects at least five major heavy commercial traffic patterns. They do not compare.
Anon 7:41, It's coming to Stefko, not Broadway, but i get the concern.
I'm pretty sure there will be a traffic study, that E North St will be widened and that there will be traffice lights. I know planners have very many concerns.
If I've learned one thing about Bethlehem, it's that planning is its real strength. Believe me, every concern raised will be adressed, plus a few that the rest of us miss.
Bernie,
Maybe sometime soon you could stop by the North, Pembroke, and Stefko intersections to have a look yourself.
Bernie O'Hare said...
Anon 7:41, It's coming to Stefko, not Broadway, but i get the concer
Bernie
The Fountain Hill store will be on Broadway.
I'll be there this morning.
Interestingly, the Allentown Bottom Dollar according to the paper is coming to the old Food 4 Less site, ideal for a new grocer. Huge parking lot and lots of exits.
Bernie
We thought for sure you'd have something to say about Rendell's comment: Honesty Doesn't Pay.
This merchant's introduction to the Lehigh Valley would make an excellent MBA study. The corporation did its homework.
Seems it scouted the area months ago to target select vacant spaces located in old industrial-residential neighborhoods.
'm pretty sure there will be a traffic study, that E North St will be widened and that there will be traffice lights. I know planners have very many concerns.
We love trees but they're gonna need to do something about the large trees along Stefko. There's poor visibility at these intersections because of these trees.
yay, they'll finally widen my street...and maybe actually plow it in the winter!!!...except the grocery store will prob now have all those kids from the school of performing arts steal all their customers' parking spaces since they never ever park in their own lot...
It's amazing how many Bethlehem stories you have. Really truly interesting to me. It's as if you're trying to draw Beck-ian links where there aren't any to be drawn. Muddy waters that are clean as can be. You almost seem like you want to help Charlie Dent's narrative, really amazing stuff. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zd_bP47dE3Q/SaCb9r2n6mI/AAAAAAAABfU/c1FLhEpww8E/s1600-h/snake.jpg
Tinkerbell
Do you know what going on with that triangle of land on Broad St. near the Performing Arts building? Also,
have you ever spoken to the school's director about the students parking where they shouldn't? Perhaps something could be done in the name of good neighbors.
" It's as if you're trying to draw Beck-ian links where there aren't any to be drawn."
This is just a story about a Bethlehem ZHB meeting. Take your meds.
You stole all my meds Bernard.
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