ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A proposed amendment to Allentown's city budget would give $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Allentown Economic Development Corp. for redevelopment of the Allentown Metal Works site on the city’s south side.
The proposal came Wednesday, during a special Allentown City Council meeting to hear the introduction of a number of memos that could affect next year’s budget.
- Allentown City Council reviewed several adjustments to next year's budget, including one to provide $1 million to the redevelopment project at Allentown Metal Works
- The Allentown Metal Works site has been mostly dormant since the factory ceased operation in 2011
- The project is expected to create about 90 jobs
The amendments to the proposed $138 million budget would cover a wide variety of costs, notably several personnel matters—for example, some municipal positions would get new titles—and minor readjustments could be made to city spending.
“I’ve learned a lot during the time that I've spent in the mayor’s office," Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk said in discussing the need to address staffing. "I truly understand how important the role of the mayor as CEO of an 800-person organization is.”
But the Allentown Metal Works proposal wasn’t so minor.
Tuerk said the funds would help redevelop land that has gone unused for years, and is expected to create 90 jobs for Allentown residents.
“This is a very good project for Allentown,” he said.
"This is what the money is meant for."Councilwoman Candida Affa, on a proposal to give ARPA funds to the Allentown Metal Works project.
Several council members seemed to agree, with Councilwoman Candida Affa arguing the proposal was better than giving ARPA funds to support the IronPigs.
“This is what the money is meant for. We took a beating up here not too long ago,” Affa said, referencing a request by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. "That million dollars we saved, I’m happy to give it to manufacturing that’s coming to Allentown.”
Councilman Daryl L. Hendricks said, “This is one of the most important, and one of the largest developments that come before us on the board.”
And, although it was his last meeting as a council member, Josh Siegel—who has resigned after he recently won an election to represent the state House 22nd District—urged council to support the proposal for the transformative effect the project could have on the city.
“We all know that the Allentown Metal Works has basically been shuttered since 2011 and the property is an eyesore for that community,” Siegel said. “It’s important that those neighborhoods have access to good paying, family sustaining jobs.”
The adjustments will be voted on at a special meeting Dec. 7.
Council plans to adopt the budget Dec. 14.
