BETHLEHEM, Pa.- The old Walnut Street garage is officially history. All signs of the 1970s-era structure, sandwiched between Main and New Streets on the city’s north side, are gone.
Steven Fernstrom, executive director of the Bethlehem Parking Authority, called the demolition process, which began in January, challenging. “We can’t forget that the building was over 500 feet long and took up a whole city block,” he said.
Demolition was briefly halted in February when a beam fell and hit a neighboring building. Crews were given the greenlight to resume their work on March 27.
WFMZ-TV | Amy Unger
Prior to that, there were disagreements among business owners, residents, and city leaders about what the new Walnut Street garage would look like. The Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), an advisory body, rejected both proposals put forth by the parking authority.
The plans ultimately approved in April call for a structure that is eight feet taller, but has fewer parking spaces, than the old garage. The old garage had 770 spaces at full capacity. The new Walnut Street garage will have 517 spaces, with 3,056 square feet of adjacent retail space and an additional 33,398-square-foot parcel to the West of the new garage, near Main Street, to be available for future development, including apartments.
WFMZ-TV | Amy Unger
Fernstrom said demolition of the old garage officially wrapped up earlier this month. “We immediately shifted to the start of construction,” he said.
The targeted completion date for the new Walnut Street garage is still Christmas of 2025, he added.