CATASAUQUA, Pa. – At Blockers Coffee House in Catasauqua, the coffee is hot.
But the anticipation is hotter.
“Big project about to happen,” said Tammy Kurtz.
Kurtz and Serena Danner are co-owners of the Java Joint and say the borough is buzzing about the $75 million project to revitalize the historic Iron Works just across the street.
Phase One is expected to start next spring, thanks to a $3.6 million kickstart in the form of federal funds secured by Congressman Ryan Mackenzie.
The project will turn the blighted property into a mix of apartments, town homes and commercial space.
“A mix of uses that would create jobs, diversify residential opportunities, preserve historic features, enhance connectivity to the DNL Trail, which kind of borders the site, and boost local tax revenues,” said Taggart Associates Consultant Chad Helmer.
“Today’s investment is going to help ensure that Catasauqua gets the Main Street that it deserves, and that our communities get the new housing that they’re counting on,” said Mackenzie said.
Kurtz and Danner say they can’t wait.
“It’s a long time waiting. The town is really, most of the town, is very anxious about it,” Kurtz said.