Bethlehem strikes Martin Tower from anti- demolition list

Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday removed Martin Tower, the vacant 21-story building that was once the world headquarters of Bethlehem Steel, from the list of historic landmarks the city aims to protect under a proposed anti-demolition law.

While he hopes Martin Tower the tallest building in the Lehigh Valley can one day be reused, Councilman Michael Recchiuti said the anti-demolition law could hinder redevelopment of the 52-acre site.

"We, as a council, should be looking to remove barriers to redevelop that parcel," Recchiuti said.

Martin Tower was built in 1972 as a symbol of Steel's might, and then became an emblem of the mismanagement that led to its demise. After Steel declared bankruptcy in 2001, there was little demand for 600,000 square feet of offices for one company, and the tower's shape and size weren't attractive to investors. It needs a lot of work, possibly $16.5 million alone for asbestos removal and a sprinkler system.

Developers Lewis Ronca of Wind Drift Real Estate in Bethlehem Township and media mogul Norton Herrick of Morristown, N.J., own the building and plan to turn it into a residential community with retail development.

Council passed an ordinance in 2006 that requires the tower be saved if the developers build residences. Meanwhile, the developers secured the tower a place on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that positions the developers for lucrative tax credits if they restore the tower to historic standards.

But progress on the tower's redevelopment stalled after the economy tanked and when approval of a special financing district stalled before the Bethlehem Area School Board.

Mayor John Callahan, who has lobbied for the financing to restore the tower, said he supported council's decision to take Martin Tower off the anti-demolition list.

"There are plenty of other incentives to keep Martin Tower," he said.

The developers were not at the council meeting and could not be reached Tuesday night.

See original here:
Bethlehem strikes Martin Tower from anti- demolition list