BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Later in January, the residents of South Bethlehem will find out next steps for a potential community center in the works.
The public is invited to learn more from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Center at 511 E. Third St.
In a media release Thursday, Mayor J. William Reynolds said the new community center is going to be “special,” with both the public and private sectors currently working together in bringing it to fruition.
“What a community center means to me: It means hope."South Bethlehem resident Carlos Diaz
“It has been a community-driven process to get us to this exciting point and we can’t thank enough the residents, businesses and community partners who have been engaged from Day One,” Reynolds said.
Also, the city released its Southside Community Anthem — a five-minute video tribute with residents, business owners and others sharing what makes South Bethlehem home.
“What a community center means to me: It means hope,” Southside resident Carlos Diaz said in the tribute.
Long time coming
A community center feasibility study — which cost the city about $88,000 — was launched during spring 2023, and results are planned to be shared on Jan. 30.
Back in March, dozens of people brainstormed on what they’d like to see in a South Bethlehem community center. Some suggestions included an open gym, community garden, dance classes and neighborhood meet-and-greets.
Once a proper community hub, the former Boys and Girls Club property along Fourth Street was demolished in 2018. Now, a 76-unit apartment building with retail space is going up in its place.
“Any space that allows community members to be seen, valued, heard and appreciated is an absolute win."Carolina Hernandez, community service representative at Lehigh University
“Any space that allows community members to be seen, valued, heard and appreciated is an absolute win,” Carolina Hernandez, community service representative at Lehigh University said.
Director of Community Action Development Bethlehem, Anna Smith, said she feels "one of the greatest challenges" the local community faces is where to go to find information or have questions answered.
Jonafer McDonald, director of SixTeam Sports, said the project goes beyond potential sports, arts and community wellness programming.
“I feel like a community center, everybody thinks of a building, but I think it’s the people that make a difference the most,” he said.
