ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The new Da Vinci Science Center being built in Center City Allentown has received an influx of $1 million in new funding through the support of State Sen. Pat Browne.
- State Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) has secured $1 million for the Da Vinci Science Center's new downtown Allentown project
- The project, currently under construction along Hamilton Street, will create a new 67,292-square-foot science center
- The overall cost of the project is estimated to be about $72 million
The project is among three Lehigh Valley projects that recently received funding approval from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through Browne’s support.
“These awards represent a significant opportunity to leverage local investment that will lead to substantial new projects for the betterment of the Lehigh Valley,” Browne, R-Lehigh, said in a statement.
“Each of these projects will provide tremendous benefits to our region and will serve as catalysts of change to improve their respective communities.”
The funding will be used to support ongoing construction of a $72 million project that is expected to draw 400,000 visitors to the region every year.
Earlier this year, in requesting funds for the project from Allentown’s City Council, officials for Da Vinci said they still were working to secure $8 million more to complete the project.
At a meeting last week, Allentown City Council opted to allocate some of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to the science center project.
But council cut the $1.5 million request down to $1 million.
“He has been a tremendous partner from the project’s inception, and this funding puts the icing on the cake."Da Vinci Science Center Director Lin Erickson
In a statement, Da Vinci Science Center Director Lin Erickson said she was thrilled that Browne was able to secure the additional funding.
“He has been a tremendous partner from the project’s inception, and this funding puts the icing on the cake," she said in a statement. "Our project is a true public/private partnership that will benefit the residents of the Lehigh Valley for decades to come.”
The other local projects that got funding through the RACP are the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Allentown, which, Browne’s office said, will receive $500,000 for building and parking renovations and improvements.
Also, Browne’s office noted that $1 million will be provided for the renovation and preservation of the Allentown Train Station on Hamilton Street.
Browne’s office noted that all three projects had previously been legislatively authorized and are shovel-ready, with groundbreakings underway or expected in 2023 or 2024.
