BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The City of Bethlehem and the housing authority are in the midst of drawing up plans to transform the public housing community, Pembroke Village, off of Stefko Boulevard.
“There are 196 units and they date back to about 1941,” said Sara Satullo, deputy director of community development for the city.
Satullo says an engineering and analysis recommended the homes be torn down or replaced.
Now, thanks to a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods federal planning grant, the city is working on a plan for what to replace it with, partnering with community groups to get resident feedback.
“We’re really lucky there’s a grocery store in the neighborhood, many Choice communities don’t,” Satullo said “What we’ve heard is they’d really like access to a fitness center, health clinics, and more culturally representative stores, and barber shops or salons. We’ve heard a lot from the community about the importance of being to get outside with your neighbors and enjoy live music.”
“I just want it to look more green,” said one resident from the Pembroke community. “I want the trees to be replanted again. A greenway to walk and ride bikes. Just more of a homey feel.”
Residents also want to see pedestrian safety improvements. About $150,000 from the initial grant will be used to improve the intersection of Stefko Boulevard and Pembroke Road.
“The Bethlehem YMCA isn’t very far away but no one is going to put their kid on a bike and have to go down Pembroke and Stefko,” Satullo said.
Once that planning process is completed, the city plans to apply for up to $50 million in additional funding to not only replace all the existing homes but also double the size of the community to around 400 units.
“Our hope is that it is a mixed income community that is well connected with the rest of the city and integrated,” Satullo said.
The city is hoping to get more feedback from residents to help with the planning process. You can either fill out the survey online or at the Boys and Girls Club.