BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday night approved a $210,000 professional services contract with Spillman Farmer to complete the final design and engineering for an 11-unit emergency family shelter.
The project is planned at a Lehigh Conference of Churches’ property at 232-234 W. Packer Ave. It is part of the city’s “Opening Doors: A Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness” and is funded through federal HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter allocations, including additional funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Under the proposed contract, Spillman Farmer will prepare construction documents, assist with bid preparation and the bidding process, and provide contract administration through the project’s expected completion by March 31, 2027.
City officials said Spillman Farmer was selected through a competitive request-for-proposals process because it submitted the lowest responsive bid and demonstrated the most relevant experience.
Last June, the City of Bethlehem was awarded $1.45 million from the state to support the conversion of a South Bethlehem apartment building into the 11-unit non-congregate emergency family shelter.