BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Now around the halfway point of a two-year planning phase to reimagine the Stefko-Pembroke neighborhood, officials said they need residents to keep brainstorming.
Tuesday saw about 30 area residents at Northeast Community Center to share their wants and needs for an all-new community planned near the city’s border with Freemansburg.
There appeared to be a consensus that the neighborhood needs more amenities for families and individuals of all ages, communal gathering areas, more security measures in place and safer roadway crossings.
“Pembroke Village is not only about new homes, it’s about the people and what they bring to the neighborhood."Henry Quiñones, Pembroke Choice Neighborhood ambassador
And with $150,000 of a half-million-dollar Choice Neighborhoods planning grant set aside for an “early action project,” project overseers may be able to move on intersection improvements at Stefko Boulevard and Pembroke Road as soon as six months from now, according to Adam Rosa, principal of Chicago-based COLLABO Planning + Design.
That money also could be used to improve the nearby greenspace, Rosa said.
Survey results
A resident needs assessment survey completed during summer 2024 brought in 96 surveys. At that time, 180 occupied units of the neighborhood’s total 196 were owned, according to the document.
Considering just over half of households were represented in the data provided, some of those figures include:
- About 64% satisfied with their living situation, whether it happens to be affordable for them, close to public transit offerings or near their jobs
- Popular indoor amenities requested include a fitness center, entertainment options and health clinic
- Outdoor gathering areas requested include a splash park, picnic area and playground
- 61% interested in living in a senior-specific unit, or one that’s specifically outfitted for people with physical disabilities
- The most-requested amenities include a bakery/cafe, health clinic and barber/salon
- Residents have fun mostly at the neighborhood’s Boys & Girls Club, Freemansburg Municipal Park and the Stefko Basketball Court
- Just over 40% have their own car, but over half reported they always have access to transportation
- Respondents want work experience, most notably in the health care, agriculture and computer skills fields
- Just under a quarter of respondents have a full-time job
- School-aged children seem to want more opportunities for sports, the arts and life-skills training
- Over half have their kids enrolled in day care
- Traffic accidents, noise violations and drug use are the three most concerning issues of the neighborhood
Rosa said following a meeting with the neighborhood Wednesday, his team may be back in town in early December to hear from more residents.
'Not only about new homes'
Taking what’s learned in the planning period, officials look to later apply for up to $50 million in implementation funding to bring the future neighborhood to life.
Beyond the planned demolition and one-to-one replacement of the 196 units in Pembroke Village for mixed-income housing and other new neighborhood amenities, the proposed area for broader community improvements will affect 4,208 residents.
Taking what’s learned in the planning period, officials look to later apply for up to $50 million in implementation funding to bring the future neighborhood to life.
The geographic focus area for the work includes the area south and east of Stefko Boulevard, west of Livingston Street and the city limits, north of the Lehigh River and north of Pembroke Road.
“Pembroke Village is not only about new homes, it’s about the people and what they bring to the neighborhood,” said Henry Quiñones, Pembroke Choice Neighborhood ambassador.
Built in 1941, Pembroke Village currently offers 196 units on 19.5 acres. The Bethlehem Housing Authority oversees the operation of the public housing community in Northeast Bethlehem.
