What’s in store for old Goodman building in Bethlehem? – Allentown Morning Call

The former Goodman Furniture store, a problem property Bethlehem fought in court to get redeveloped, could become a $2.5 million project of storefronts topped by 14 apartments.

The proposal, which Bethlehem will present to a judge next month, calls for about three first-floor tenants, a bus depot and an optional building addition to the property at 30 E. Third St. The 700- to 800-square-foot apartments would be on the second and third floors.

The plans were proposed by Collaboration 3, a trio of Lehigh Valley partners: D'Huy Engineering, Alloy 5 Architects and Skepton Construction.

Bethlehem picked the project out of four submitted after the city put out a call for proposals on what to do with the vacant property.

Alicia Miller Karner, director of the city's economic and community development department, said she liked the proposal because it calls for several commercial tenants rather than one large tenant.

She also likes the idea that some of the tenants will face the Greenway trail and Adams and Mechanic Streets. She said that would promote use of the Greenway, which meanders between Third and Fourth streets along the path of a former railroad bed.

She said the plans show the option of a drive-thru for a commercial tenant, but drive-thrus are not allowed in that zoning district. She said the city would not support that portion of the project.

Collaboration 3 indicated the project could be completed within 16 months. The city needs to get approval from a judge because of a legal maneuver the city used to force the redevelopment of the building.

The city had battled with owner Alvin Kanofsky, a 78-year-old physicist, for years to fix up the vacant building. Over the last couple of years, he was cited for code violations some of which are still under appeal.

The city stepped into make emergency repairs in the building and successfully argued to be appointed the building's conservator. Under the conservatorship, the city can make decisions that a property owner would but does not hold the title to the land. The city is looking to force a sale to Collaboration 3.

The plan must be approved by a judge. The city is scheduled to present the plan May 8.

Kanofsky, who has represented himself in court, could not be reached for a comment. In the past, he has declined to discuss the property because of pending appeals.

The building was a priority for the city to redevelop because it is in a high-profile section of the South Side Business District.

The building is in a block the city has invested tens of thousands of dollars in to build up in the wake of Bethlehem Steel's demise and is around the corner from a parking garage and an office building under construction. The office building, developed by Dennis Benner, is to be anchored by St. Luke's University Health Network and Lehigh University.

nicole.mertz@mcall.com

Twitter @McallBethlehem

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Redevelopment plans for the former Goodman furniture store:

3 commercial tenants

14 apartments

1 bus depot

Source: Collaboration 3 proposal

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What's in store for old Goodman building in Bethlehem? - Allentown Morning Call