WILSON, Pa. — Wilson Area School District is looking to revamp its athletic field with new buildings, parking and more.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday reviewed an application by the district that will include the reconstruction of the athletic field, along with a new 39,209-square-foot auxiliary building, a 1,600-square-foot outbuilding and a parking lot at 2040 Washington Blvd.
Cost estimates for the specific proposals have yet to be specified, but WASD peg the project, along with other initiatives, at $40 million.Wilson Area School District
Cost estimates for the specific proposals have yet to be specified, but WASD peg the project, along with other initiatives, at $40 million.
The lot eyed for the project now serves as an athletic complex for the district.
According to LVPC documentation, the existing stadium and auxiliary building would be demolished, along with an existing parking lot in the northeast corner of the property that contains the site’s stormwater infrastructure.
The new auxiliary building would maintain the existing catwalk that spans South 22nd Street, connecting Wilson Area High School to the new facility.
The building would be placed on top of the old parking lot with a planned expansion of the existing lot in the southeast corner and unimproved parking in the athletic field for additional overflow.
Meets Future LV goals, accessibility goals
Community and Regional Planner Jacob Weinberg said the proposal helps with many of the goals of the Future LV regional plan.
Those include expanded access to education and job training, investing in schools and their surrounding communities, supporting cultural and social programs and more.
As for transportation concerns, Weinberg said the site is well fit for students and staff using a variety of transportation options.
Those include walking, biking and public transit via Lehigh and Northampton Transportation System buses, which will go directly to the site via Butler Street and South 22nd Street.
Access to the site will be provided via two driveways along South 22nd Street, both in and out of the expanded parking facilities in the south corner.
In case overflow parking is required, a gate will be installed in the southwest corner of the parking lot abutting the grass to allow for lawn parking.
LVPC advised the district to consult with local emergency services to ensure all parts of the overflow would be accessible.
The LVPC commended the project for including an additional loading zone and bus drop off area separated by a tree line from South 22nd Street for promoting safe routes to schools and playgrounds.
'Completely worth it'
Furthermore, LVPC celebrated the sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, along with the catwalk, for promoting safety.
A recommendation was made to restamp the crosswalk at Butler and South 22nd streets.
Weinberg said he has seen stamped crosswalks and appreciates the extra level of visibility it offers for drivers and pedestrians.
But he said a recently installed crosswalk in the western part of the county was damaged when UGI was working in the area.
“So if there's some way we could encourage communities to interface with UGI or any other utility that might be coming in and tearing up the roads, that perhaps, maybe, if we know that sort of work’s coming, the installation of these stamped facilities can be deferred till after that's done," Weinberg said.
"Because it is a premium expense to have them, which I think is completely worth it for the safety pedestrians."
Environmental commentary was minimal, but LVPC advised the district to explore some green energy initiatives.
“With regards to the environment, we've also recommending educational institutions implement environmentally sensitive buildings and landscape design such as green roofs or solar panels,” Weinberg said.
He said such measures could increase cost effectiveness, enhance the campus setting, and demonstrate environmental leadership in the region by demonstrating ways to mitigate impacts.
