ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2013 A key stretch of the downtown area could soon be in for a major overhaul.<\/p>\n
The Allentown Parking Authority, state Sen. Nick Miller , D-Lehigh\/Northampton, and the City of Allentown have opened a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the 100 block of North Seventh Street \u2014 an effort they say is designed to align infrastructure investment, business innovation and civic leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis site has long been a challenge for the community, and today we\u2019re moving decisively to change that,\u201d Sen. Miller said in a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the RFP now open, we\u2019re taking a step toward turning a block that currently generates multiple police calls per day into a vibrant destination that reflects the momentum of our downtown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m confident this public-private partnership will draw proposals that strengthen the Seventh Street corridor and deliver long-lasting benefits for Allentown residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
An online dashboard maintained by the Allentown Police Department<\/a> lists hundreds of incidents in the area this year, including many listed simply as a “disturbance” \u2014 usually those that disrupt public order and peace. <\/p>\n Mayor Matt Tuerk said in the release the corner plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of the city.<\/p>\n “Seventh and Linden sets the tone for visitors to Allentown’s vibrant downtown, and we want to make sure that they have the best possible impression,” he said.<\/p>\n Parking authority Chairman Theodore J. Zeller said the collaboration reflects how multiple entities can successfully work toward a shared goal.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an example of what a functioning government and community look like,\u201d he said. \u201cThis project is a collaboration among the City, its largest independent authority, regional leader City Center Group, and national retailer 7-Eleven.\u201d<\/p>\n Project details<\/p>\n The project site sits along North Seventh Street\/Route 145, and the redevelopment area includes both vacant land and land with active uses, including the 7-Eleven.<\/p>\n While the retailer is expected to participate in the project, it is open to layout changes or potentially relocating to another nearby retail space, which could free up more room for development, according to the release.<\/p>\n As a result, proposals should include concepts that both incorporate 7-Eleven as a tenant and exclude it, the release said.<\/p>\n Developers will be required to construct parking infrastructure needed for the project\u2019s uses and dedicate it back to the Allentown Parking Authority.<\/p>\n A busy time for Downtown Allentown<\/p>\n Seventh and Linden is one part of the city that ultimately could be targeted for traffic conversions going forward, listed among the city\u2019s five \u201chigh-injury corridors,\u201d where almost half of all pedestrian crashes with serious injuries have occurred.<\/p>\n City Council last month approved an application seeking $200,000 in state funding<\/a> to determine the viability of converting some one-way traffic corridors into two-way streets, including that area.<\/p>\n