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Council authorizes $500,000 RACP application for Goodman Building redevelopment
Summary
The Bethlehem City Council voted 6-0 on June 3 to authorize the submission of an additional $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant application for the Goodman Building redevelopment project.
The Bethlehem City Council voted 6-0 on June 3 to authorize the mayor to submit an application for an additional $500,000 from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) for the Goodman Building redevelopment at 30 and 32 East Third Street. The resolution also authorizes the mayor and controller to enter a cooperation agreement with Collaboration 3 LLC for project administration.
Council members noted the city’s historical involvement with the Goodman Building and asked whether the new funding could be tied to affordable housing or public restroom space in the proposed development. A council member said two floors of the project are planned for residential use and asked whether any affordable-housing component had been negotiated. City staff responded that the project has been in process for many years and that, per state RACP rules described in the discussion, the city does not have authority to impose certain conditions on the state grant award.
Council noted that previous RACP awards for the Goodman Building totaled roughly $2.5 million. The motion to authorize the new application passed unanimously with Grama C. Smith, Kwiatak, Laird, Leon, Wilhelm and Colon voting “aye.”
The resolution indicated the city will serve as an applicant to request the state grant and will enter into a cooperation agreement with Collaboration 3 LLC if the application is successful. Council did not attach conditions such as mandated affordable units or guaranteed public restrooms to the resolution recorded at the meeting.
