BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A lack of nighttime lights at SteelStacks’ blast furnaces and no twinkling in the trees downtown has a Bethlehem councilman — and others — concerned.
That's especially true with Bethlehem's huge Musikfest festival less than a month away.
But the multi-colored lights at the iconic Steel campus destination south of the Lehigh River — also the backdrop of a number of headlining acts during the upcoming festival — falls on the landowner: Wind Creek casino resort, officials said Tuesday.
"But between the SteelStack lights and the tree lights on Main Street, I think it’s really important. I mean, we’re the Christmas City year-round, not just during Christmastime.”Bethlehem City Councilman Bryan Callahan
Mayor J. William Reynolds on Tuesday said he understood turning the lights on would be costly for Wind Creek, running several hundred thousand dollars to upwards of $1 million.
There’s been no official statement from Wind Creek as to why the lights went off to begin with. Representatives have not responded to several inquiries about the lights.
“I don’t know all the ins and outs of what’s going on over there,” Councilman Bryan Callahan said.
“But between the SteelStacks lights and the tree lights on Main Street, I think it’s really important. I mean, we’re the Christmas City year-round, not just during Christmastime.”
'I think it's imperative'
Callahan said he hoped somebody with the city would reach out to Wind Creek officials with at least a phone call asking for them to “be more neighborly.”
But he said he also understood there were other factors at play.
“I know the cost, from what I’m hearing, is high,” Callahan said.
“Something’s got to be done. I think before Musikfest, those lights have to be put on; I think it’s imperative.”
Reynolds said Callahan was correct in that keeping the lights on is not cheap, and it’s Wind Creek’s responsibility, because it owns that land.
ArtsQuest also has been in the loop, he said.
“Of course we want them to be on. I mean, I think everybody agrees that SteelStacks with the lights on are an important thing.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“Of course we want them to be on,” Reynolds said. “I mean, I think everybody agrees that SteelStacks with the lights on are an important thing.”
The mayor said he wanted to consult with city solicitor John Spirk Jr. and Community and Economic Development Director Laura Collins before bringing more information to council on the situation.
“[Wind Creek is] considering what the best options are, and we are trying to help them with pushing along this as being a priority,” Reynolds said.
Exactly what is keeping the lights from going on has not been publicly addressed.
Broader redevelopment
Reynolds said the city continues to offer assistance and wants to keep having conversations with casino officials about the site’s redevelopment to maintain progress following a successful hotel build.
“Obviously it’s a beautiful hotel; that’s a good start. But we want to see them have more concrete plans as far as the redevelopment of the rest of the site is concerned.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, speaking on the redevelopment at the old Bethlehem Steel campus
“Obviously it’s a beautiful hotel; that’s a good start,” the mayor said. “But we want to see them have more concrete plans as far as the redevelopment of the rest of the site is concerned.”
Regarding the lights on Main Street, he said they add to the atmosphere and vibrancy of a historic downtown stretch and need to be flipped back on as soon as possible.
“It’s all I hear about,” Callahan said.
