BETHLEHEM, PA — Construction activity at the former Martin Tower site in Bethlehem is progressing rapidly, marking a significant step in redeveloping the historic location. The building was demolished five years ago, and the surrounding land remained untouched.
Over the past two days, the first building blocks for the new structures, which appear to be the beginnings of the stair/elevator shafts, have been laid.
With the land subdivided, Schlouch construction workers are actively developing eight acres of overgrown land in the northwestern part of the site.
These will be home to two brand-new, state-of-the-art medical buildings owned by LVHN, adding up to ~100,000 sqft of land.
Through the trials and tribulations of zoning and city planning, the current master plan only includes plans for these medical facilities, a potential 225,000 sqft hotel, and over 1,000 apartment units upon completion.
Earlier plans for the site proposed over the last five years included a gas station, grocery store, and convenience store, but those have since been abandoned.
Bethlehem’s community and economic development director, Laura Collins, expressed her satisfaction with the development project’s recent progress.
“We are very happy. It sat dormant for a long time, so we are definitely pleased to see that the developers are moving ahead with this part of the project,” she told The Morning Call.
No other plans for construction are available at this time. Residents have voiced their sadness for losing the iconic structure, but many rejoice in breathing new life into the long-abandoned site.
