2024 Bethlehem City Council President’s Report
Twenty twenty-four was an exciting year. It was a year that saw Bethlehem, Pennsylvania join the likes of Athens, Venice, London, and Rome as cities on the world stage of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Historic Moravian Bethlehem District, as part of the transnational site Moravian Church Settlements, in 2024 was named an historic destination and joined world-renowned landmarks such as the Acropolis, the Roman Forum, Vatican City, and the Great Wall of China.
Much credit belongs to the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission along with the Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites and Moravian University. For its part, City Council was pleased to support the efforts in any way possible that led to Inscription on July 26. We are proud to help our city celebrate this momentous achievement.
In addition to brimming with pride over our City’s history, Council also in 2024 supported actions toward ensuring Bethlehem's future. Council's Committee of the Whole met to review plans to demolish and reconstruct the Walnut Street Garage. Council also held Public Hearings to approve a zoning map change and street vacation to make way for the garage. Demolition has taken place, and the garage’s replacement is anticipated in time for the 2025 Christmas season with additional adjacent development being planned.
Council also continues to support efforts to reduce homelessness and create affordable housing. Council endorsed efforts to apply for grant money toward the Gateway on 4th and authorized two contracts to enhance the Pembroke Choice Neighborhood Project. The first was for a traffic study to review the Pembroke Road and Stefko Boulevard corridor. The second was to conduct a market study to evaluate the demand for affordable market-rate rental and for-sale housing.
Additionally, Council has reviewed intentions for making significant street changes including restoring two-way traffic to Center and Linden Streets. Major renovations also are planned to make much of East and West Broad streets pedestrian and bicycle friendly and generally more appealing. Council also has authorized refurbishment at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and replacement of a 2-million-gallon reservoir drinking tank.
Meanwhile, grants, contracts, and other authorizations involving City parks and recreation have frequented Council agendas. Bethlehem reached a milestone late in the year with the final purchase of land that will close the Greenway Trail Gap, which completes a dream several years in the making. Council passed Resolutions authorizing Phase II of improvements to the Monocacy Trail. And, it authorized work to be done to make significant improvements to Saucon Park, the Rose Garden and Fairview Park, as well as a complete makeover of Friendship Park. In addition, Council authorized a study of the City's entire parks system to provide a comprehensive prioritization of future needs.
In all, Council held 24 regular meetings. It conducted 13 of committee meetings, 3 of which were Committee of the Whole meetings including one on ethics training for Council and the Administration. Council also held a Curative Amendment hearing lasting 7 ½ hours over two nights to consider proposed changes to the Limited Commercial Zoning District. The year's body of work led to the passage of 61 Ordinances and 280 Resolutions. Key legislation passed included a new article to curtail the use of illegal dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles on City streets with intentions of improving safety and reducing nuisances, and amending the Animal Ordinance to ban the sale of pets from puppy mills within the City.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be another busy year. Efforts will continue to help the homeless and promote affordable housing as well as working to complete initiatives that were started in 2024 and preceding years as well. And, as always, Council will continue to work with the Administration and all City departments to bring the residents and businesses of Bethlehem the services that they have come to expect. Let’s get started.
Michael G. Colón
President of Bethlehem City Council
January 7, 2025