BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A space just across from the old Steel General Office Annex, and was once home to another Steel building, is on its way to becoming an asphalt parking lot.
Peron Development envisions the 1.4-acre “triangle lot” at 702 E. Third St. to have 83 spaces to make room for things to come at the neighboring Six10 Flats mixed-use development just across Buchanan Street.
Bethlehem planners on Thursday approved land development plans for the parking area. Planner Matthew Malozi was absent.
Bethworks Renovations LLC owns the land, according to Northampton County property records.
“We’re kind of pressed for parking, not so much for our residents but mostly for the retail that we anticipate coming to Six10 Flats.”John Callahan of Peron Pierce LLC
“By virtue of [it] being kind of an odd-shaped lot, we don’t anticipate now or in the foreseeable future doing any additional construction on the lot,” John Callahan of Peron Pierce LLC said.
“We’re kind of pressed for parking, not so much for our residents but mostly for the retail that we anticipate coming to Six10 Flats.”
Pressed for room
A couple of different retail spaces totaling about 12,000 square feet are planned to set up shop in the nearby apartment building, Callahan said.
“It’s been a vacant gravel lot and an eyesore to the city, and we used it temporarily as a laydown area for construction. And now, we’d like to improve the lot for the betterment of the neighborhood and for the use of the folks we talked about."Peron Development Director of Development John Callahan
A WingStop location reportedly will set up shop in the apartment’s retail space closer to fall.
The lot also could serve as parking for a future use of the Steel General Office Building — but time will tell, Callahan said.
Developers said they need more parking areas or they’ll soon be pressed for room.
“It’s been a vacant gravel lot and an eyesore to the city, and we used it temporarily as a laydown area for construction,” Callahan said.
“And now, we’d like to improve the lot for the betterment of the neighborhood and for the use of the folks we talked about.”
“I think this is a final piece of the puzzle, if you will, for the entire project down there.”Bethlehem Planning Commission chairman Robert Melosky, speaking of the growth he’s seen over time along Third Street
“I think this is a final piece of the puzzle, if you will, for the entire project down there,” planner Robert Melosky said, speaking of the growth he’s seen over time along Third Street.
Five10 Flats and neighboring Six10 Flats, Country Club Brewing and Social Still all also were developed on old Bethlehem Steel parking areas, according to Callahan.
