Bethlehem City Council will vote tonight on rezoning the former Bethlehem Technology Center, located on the city's south side, from industrial to central business district. This spot zoning will replace a technology center containing a rare cleanroom with unaffordable housing. Yesterday, I told you that Bethlehem's former Mayor, Don Cunningham has reservations about rezoning this tract, at least at this time. Cunningham's view is echoed by ArtsQuest founder Jeff Parks, who helped transform the Christmas City from steelmaker to cultural center.
Parks notes that, with enactment of the CHIPS Act, the feds will be spending $52.7 billion in subsidies for American chip-makers and another $25 billion in tax credits. It would be foolhardy to walk away from that money to build an apartment complex that only the upper echelons could afford.
In the 20th century, Bethlehem's steel built the warships that defeated the Axis powers. In the 21st, Bethlehem could be making the microchips we desperately need as a bulwark against foreign powers. We should be seizing this opportunity, not creating artificial villages that will end up consuming more city resources than it contributes.
With Don Cunningham and Jeff Parks on the same page on this Bethlehem issue, City Council's best bet would be to table this ordinance.
14 comments:
Whatever wee Willy and his cronies want, he will get.
Wee Willie and the 7 dwarfs don't have a clue, except what developers, their masters, tell them. DH sold her soul years ago.
I don't think clean rooms are that rare anymore. A quick LoopNet search returns hundreds of results of life science properties with labs and clean rooms. They were more rare 20 years ago. I'll take any market solution that doesn't require my tx dollars.
There is no reason to table this proposal as it should be voted down by council as outlined by Cunningham & Parks so eloquently.
In addition, the city position to not take a formal position against this major parcel conversion to CB(Central Business district) indicates the mayor supports this in violation of zoning code for CB. The proposed building is not going to contain any new businesses to add to the southside business district with no first floor shopping or dining establishments.
The city failure to recommend rejection of this request demonstrates another blunder by the Reynolds administration. This parcel is not going to conform to CB but should be RT zoned. The city did not point that out to City Council during deliberations thus far.
Why is that?
The reason I suggest tabling is to give Serfass time to find a tech buyer. But if Serfass is not so inclined, I'd vote it down.
This development proposal in the final analysis is simply an exercise in greed. The saying “pigs at the trough” does not adequately portray the level of corruption that exists in our city. In the development game profit in multi-family build is expressed by the term “density”. Specifically density per acre. This project has a density per acre of 60 units (apartments). 240 apartments on 4 acres of land in a six story building. This is the epitome of spot zoning. At market rate rental pricing one sweet deal for the developer.
Is the City that hard up for new revenue or is this a “pay for play” scam ?
Bernie: Serfass did not yet complete the purchase.
"The city failure to recommend rejection of this request demonstrates another blunder by the Reynolds administration."
It was not a blunder, but a calculated maneuver. Follow the money---Kevin Serfass and Matthias Fenstermacher have given Reynolds campaign donations for years.
This should be voted down. If they really have trouble finding a buyer, let them get a use variance from the ZHB.
1:16 you are spot on! Anytime Reynolds keeps his mouth shut raises questions. His silence is approval due to the money he received from Serfass and Fenstermacher!
Of course the city is that hard up for new revenue. Although they shall be saving money due to many leaving their cushy city hall jobs due to a very toxic environment.
Campaign contributions from developers has been Reynolds modus operandi for years. Follow the money also on Apartment building city promoting with its downsized Walnut Street garage project. Smaller garage makes room for a project for favorite campaign funder developer Perone. Same firm that benefitted from city funding of Food Coop. Who ever heard of government funding of retail food grocery stores outside of communist countries?
4 people bid on this garage apartment project but Perone will somehow get selected after an “extensive review process” by the administration.
The other bidders are wasting their time because the city owns the land & controls the ballgame. Not like the Boyd Theater where an outsider took control.
Have to give credit to Council in voting 7-0 against project administration supported for high density apartment rezoning request.
Nice to see them think thru this & actually see a few change their minds from a couple weeks ago. Shocking decision & likely wake up call to mayor & his minions.
Council election coming up in November so perhaps they want to show that they can be a check & balance entity once in a while.,
City workers are at wits end with Reynolds and whats going on in the city. Over worked, stressed out and not appreciated. Its the worst I have ever seen in over 20 years!
It is quite disgusting to be honest.
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