BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The city plans to team up with Bethlehem Township and its municipal authority to work on stormwater management projects.
- The city of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township and its municipal authority look to address flooding and reduce pollution based on a new agreement
- The initial projects would cost $2.97 million
- The groups would share costs
The first project is set to include the design and implementation of improvements at the East and West basins of East Boulevard, all in an effort toward “achieving compliance with each party’s respective Pollution Reduction Plans and downstream flood mitigation goals,” according to a task order form.
City council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreementWednesday night.
The project is estimated to cost $2.97 million after designing, planning and construction, with the city, the township and the township municipal authority sharing the costs.
The vote came two days after Bethlehem Township approved borrowing $2.5 million to address flooding in other areas, including near Easton Avenue and Santee Road.
A greener future
Council voted unanimously to schedule a July 18 public hearing to take input regarding the recent city planning commission decision to approve text amendments “related to environmental education centers and similar uses.”
The proposal is to clarify permitted uses at Community Resource Centers, Environmental Education Centers and Nature Preserves in order to promote greater inclusion for Bethlehem residents and visitors alike in response to the goals and objectives of the Climate Action Plan.Darlene Heller, city director of planning and zoning
“The proposal is to clarify permitted uses at Community Resource Centers, Environmental Education Centers and Nature Preserves in order to promote greater inclusion for Bethlehem residents and visitors alike in response to the goals and objectives of the Climate Action Plan,” Planning and Zoning Director Darlene Heller wrote in a memo to the council president.
Some of the climate action goals behind the city’s overarching plan include the following, according to another letter from Heller to the city planning commission:
- Educating the community on the upsides of renewable energy
- Creating new greenways while expanding on current ones
- Managing and creating nature corridors
- Expanding tree planting and ecosystem resources in the city
- Supporting local gardens and urban farms
The commission voted 5-0 on the proposal on April 13.
The ordinance will be scheduled for its first reading at the Aug. 1 city council meeting.
A walk in the park
The city is requesting a $120,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to contract an agency in creating a citywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Council member Grace Crampsie Smith said she hoped those involved in the planning would prioritize ADA access at parks, offering amenities for children and other people with sensory and physical conditions.
Council voted unanimously in approval to pursue the funding.
More to come
Upcoming city-approved events include the Spring Mercy Vegan Pop-Up and Juneteenth at ArtsQuest.
Others around the city include the Portuguese Heritage Day Festival and the Holy Infancy Cultural Celebration.
Council’s next meeting is 7 p.m. June 6.
