Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez recently called Bethlehem the "jewel" of the Lehigh Valley. I agree, but what is the jewel of Bethlehem. Is it the Main Street shopping district? Its historic district? Its golf course and parks? I'd argue that it's none of these. What sets Bethlehem apart like no other community is the SteelStacks, made possible by the Sands Casino and visionary leaders like Jeff Parks, Mayors Don Cunningham and John Callahan and a man who is more content working behind the scenes, Tony Hanna. He is Bethlehem's former DCED Director and is currently the Executive Director of the City's redevelopment Authority. Take any one of these persons out of the equation, and all you'd have is a rusting hulk.
The Urban Land Institute recently published a case study on the SteelStacks success.
How was it funded?
There are three main sources.
The $93.5 million cost (it's not done) comes from PBS39 ($14 million), ArtsQuest ($26 million plus $8.5 million proposed for the Turn and Grind shop) and Bethlehem's Redevelopment Authority ($45 million). Tanks to revenue from the TIF at the Sands Casino, the Redevelopment Authority has made the following improvements: streets and related infrastructure ($8 million); Open Space like the amphitheater lawn and plazas ($7 million); Visitor Center ($6.5 million); Levitt pavilion ($7.5 million) and Hoover-Mason Trestle ($16 million).
Northampton County contributed $1 million in hotel taxes to PBS and ArtsQuest.
Showing posts with label Steelstacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steelstacks. Show all posts
Thursday, May 05, 2016
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