What Is It About Bethlehem?

I recently had a conversation with a journalist who is writing a book about counties that voted for Obama and Trump. Obviously, he's quite interested in Northampton County. That's a topic for some other day. What is the topic is something he told me that I wanted to share. In the course of his travels throughout this region, he's noticed that cities like Wilkes-Barre look terrible. From the buildings to the people walking the streets, there's a real sense of malaise. He's noticed that, outside the circle and moving west, Easton looks pretty bad. The same is true in Allentown, outside of its Neighborhood Improvement Zone. But Bethlehem looks pretty good. Even in its rougher sections, he noticed that homes are well maintained and that there are businesses every few blocks. Why? What does Bethlehem have that Easton and Allentown lack. I'll tell you what I and a few other people think. In the comments, you can tell me what you think or if you even agree with this journalist's observation.

I believe Bethlehem is fortunate and is somewhat better than the other two cities in the Lehigh Valley because it had better leadership. When the steel mill went tets up and the City's tax base evaporated, Mayor Don Cunningham gave City residents hope and almost immediately began to bring in other businesses. Mayor John Callahan continued this rebirth with the Sands Casino. I also credit city leaders for listening to three pioneers: Jeff Parks, who had this ridiculous notion that encouraging the arts would lead to economic development; Tony Hanna, who spearheaded the redevelopment of Bethlehem's south side; and Alan Jennings, whose programs were very successful in the City.

Mayor Donchez said that business leaders also played a role, and said that the City pays attention to the little things  It has a strong Zoning Hearing Board that denied variances for conversions when Allentown was handing out variances like candy back in the '80s. Earlier this week, it denied a variance for an electronic billboard on the Hill-to-Hill bridge. He also believes city officials really try to listen to the public and to each other.

Tony Hanna told me that, in the early '60s, Bethlehem established its first central historic district. The result is that some of the City's most valuable homes border the Main Street shopping district. It is one of the most picturesque Main Streets in the county. In Easton, you have to go to College Hill. In Allentown, you have to go to the west end.

Tony also credited the late Gordie Mowrer, known as The Main Street Mayor. Mowrer rebelled against “urban renewal” going on everywhere else. It was premised on tearing down buildings and replacing them with something more “modern.” Historic downtown Bethlehem, with its specialty shops along Main Street, would have been bulldozed for big department stores. Mowrer reversed that trend. “There’s only one thing Bethlehem has to sell, and that is its history,” he said.

One other point. Bethlehem tends to be realistic about itself. In Easton and Allentown, mayors have traditionally been treated like gods,with a little help from the local newspapers. Bethlehem has never had this kind of reverence for its top officials. It instead has Complainers of Bethlehem.