BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest's proposed cultural center in South Bethlehem moved a step closer to reality Thursday night.
The Bethlehem Planning Commission gave the green light for the new ArtQuest Southside Cultural Arts Center at the current Banana Factory property on West Third Street.
- Bethlehem planners approved development plans for a new ArtsQuest facility at the Banana Factory property
- ArtsQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert said the organization plans to break ground in early 2025
- The five-story project would include more than 73,000 square feet, plus a separate single-story building
ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert said groundbreaking is planned for the first quarter of 2025, with construction expected to last 12 to 14 months. Environmental tests are being completed on the property now, she said.
This work would include demolishing existing buildings and putting up a five-story, over 73,000 square-foot development, as well as a 5,370 square-foot single-story structure. The lot would feature a lawn area, a parking lot with 75 spaces, loading dock access and other amenities on a nearly 67,000-square-foot lot.
'An excellent start' — and more to come
Justin Klee, assistant project manager with Bohler Engineering of Bethlehem, said the new facility would offer similar services to the Banana Factory but with expanded opportunities for visitors.
“You’d have art galleries, a couple of workshops, studios, office space in the northwest offices themselves."Justin Klee, Bohler Engineering assistant project manager, speaking on the facility's offerings
“You’d have art galleries, a couple of workshops, studios, office space in the northwest offices themselves,” Klee explained.
The majority of the building’s frontage would be located along West Third Street and be five stories high, with another one-story portion in the northeast corner of the lot. The front entrance would be accessed at the southeast corner, and the “northern middle” portion of the five-story section would allow for rear building access.
Developers have proposed to replace all the frontage sidewalks along Northampton, Second and Third streets, Klee said. They’re also planning to replace the ADA ramps at the intersections of Northampton Street at Second and Third streets.
“That area there is going to be a nice outdoor space [to] break up the pavement that’s on the lot and to be used when there are summer school programs, any sort of outdoor activities that can be utilized by children."Justin Klee, Bohler Engineering assistant project manager, speaking on the property's outdoor space
Along with the fun planned for the inside, there will be even more for kids to enjoy on the lawn area planned for the middle of the lot outside, according to ArtsQuest.
“That area there is going to be a nice outdoor space [to] break up the pavement that’s on the lot and to be used when there are summer school programs, any sort of outdoor activities that can be utilized by children,” Klee said.
Developers are looking to reduce the impervious coverage by around 8,500 square feet. The existing lot was about 88% impervious, according to Klee, and it’s currently reduced to 75.6%.
“With that reduction in the impervious, we were actually exempt from [Lehigh Valley Planning Commission] stormwater requirements because that reduction in impervious meant an ultimate reduction of stormwater rates and volume leaving the site,” Klee explained.
Because of the property's just over 1 ½ acres of land, Klee added they had to submit for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. They plan to plant a rain garden to the north of the parking area to meet Department of Environmental Protection guidelines.
“It’s really an improvement for West Third Street. Ideally, what we want to see eventually is to the west, we would continue to develop those properties to be more urban in nature and contribute to the downtown — and this is an excellent start for that.”Darlene Heller, city director of planning and zoning
Darlene Heller, city director of planning zoning, said the South Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission had approved the project. She said the project is just the beginning of more improvements on the South Side.
“It’s really an improvement for West Third Street,” Heller said. “Ideally, what we want to see eventually is to the west, we would continue to develop those properties to be more urban in nature and contribute to the downtown — and this is an excellent start for that.”
The developer was looking for a waiver on the city Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance regarding the landscaping of off-street parking and loading areas. As per the ordinance, 10% of the space would need to showcase city-approved plants.
The proposal called for 1,012 square feet of space, while the ordinance calls for 2,659.
Klee said ArtsQuest was looking to maintain a smaller parking lot, providing parking buffers along the property lines. This waiver would approve the developer to plant within an eight- or nine-foot-border.
“LANTA would like to continue to service that location, and it would be on ArtsQuest to provide that bus shelter."Justin Klee, Bohler Engineering assistant project manager, speaking on public transit near the property
As a bus stop currently sits at the southwest corner of the lot, Klee said that its current position would conflict with the new development. The organization is looking to install a “newer, more sleek, modern” bus stop, and is coordinating with the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) in making that happen.
“LANTA would like to continue to service that location, and it would be on ArtsQuest to provide that bus shelter,” Klee explained.
Matthew Molezi, planning commission vice chairman, said the plan looked good to him, and he appreciated the attention placed on “one of the better-served parcels of land in the Lehigh Valley” when it comes to public transportation.
The planners unanimously approved the land development plan and the requested waivers involving landscaping and other stormwater management efforts.
