November 1, 2024 − Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh Valley/Northampton) today announced he secured $12.4 million for 12 economic and cultural projects across the Lehigh Valley.
“Continuing to create family-sustaining jobs and investing in our cultural assets is crucial to the long-term success of the Lehigh Valley,” said Miller. “These projects, from renovating vacant properties to investing in our arts and sciences to expanding local small businesses, show the wide scope of amenities we need here for both our residents and our visitors.”
Miller added, “I’d like to thank Gov. Shapiro for his dedication to supporting the Lehigh Valley with this funding. These projects are assets regionwide, creating jobs, advancing manufacturing, improving educational facilities and developing and renovating infrastructure.”
The funding is listed below:
- The Allentown Basin Street Redevelopment project will receive $250,000 for site preparation and infrastructure efforts for the future construction of a manufacturing warehouse facility, including erosion and sedimentation controls, earthwork including export and import soils, rock removal and blasting as required, storm sewer systems, structures, piping, sanitary service piping and structures, water service piping and accessories, on-site concrete and curbing and required retaining walls.
- Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc.’s Allentown Metal Works Phase 1 will receive $1.5 million for construction-related activities. The building was originally constructed in the early 1900s and is in dilapidated condition. The funding will help with the return of the site to productive manufacturing use.
- The Allentown Parking Authority will receive $250,000 for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the former PPL employee deck.
- The Baum School of Art will receive $1 million to add four floors, incorporating two additional classrooms equipped with accompanying restrooms for youth students and a multipurpose classroom space that overlooks the Allentown Arts Park.
- The Da Vinci Science Center will receive $2 million toward continued development.
- The Lehigh Valley Health Network Cedar Crest Campus will receive $1.5 million for renovations and upgrades throughout the campus.
- The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority will receive $350,000 for the creation of a “pad-ready” development site for commercial development through pavement removal and subgrade preparation, relocation and extension of existing and new utilities for identified development sites., construction of a new signalized intersection and access roadways, related infrastructure to serve commercial development, the Multimodal Transportation Center and the airport terminal and installation of new stormwater infrastructure to satisfy the latest DEP requirements.
- This Life Forever will receive $1 million for the expansion of Mishka Vodka, going toward new construction.
- The city of Allentown will receive $500,000 for the redevelopment of the PPL Tower North Building.
- The Allentown Parking Authority will receive $250,000 for the spiral deck rehabilitation, including adding lighting under the deck and a new mural on the deck, which is currently owned by the Allentown Parking Authority.
- Blackstone Structures, LLC will receive $300,000 to construct a parking garage for the Swans property, which is being developed as a multi-family apartment building. The funding will go to the concrete foundation systems, floor slabs, grade beams, columns, shafts and the elevated deck for the parking level of this building. The overall project will consist of both apartments and retail space.
- NEPA Greenhouse, LLC will receive $3.5 million toward making the Project Arrow site location “pad-ready.” Project Arrow’s current focus is on building Phase 1 and 2, which consists of two eight-acre greenhouses connected to a one two-acre headhouse for the harvesting and packaging of baby leaf lettuce. Phase 1 includes site clearing, import and export, rough grading, intermediate grading, and final grading for a pad ready site, as well as underground utilities work and construction of stormwater management facilities.
“These projects will have a phenomenal impact on our region for both residents and visitors,” added Miller. “I will continue to be an advocate for economic development resources to make sure the Lehigh Valley meets the demand of being the fastest-growing region in the commonwealth.”
The funding comes via the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a state grant program for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.