City’s economy to see a boost as $11M project nears completion

South Side Bethlehem could fuel a boost in the city’s economy with the development of an $11 million project nearing the end of construction.

South Side Lofts, a 46-unit affordable housing community, is geared to bring more residents, mainly artists, to the city who could walk to nearby restaurants, establishments and destinations such as the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Lehigh University, Sands Bethlehem Casino and The Banana Factory.

“We’ve had an outpouring of responses from the community,” said Jolene Weaver, spokeswoman for Housing Development Corp. MidAtlantic, a nonprofit based in Lancaster.

This project marks the first venture in the Lehigh Valley for the company. Weaver said with many people living on single incomes or dealing with layoffs, affordable housing is needed in this market.

South Side Lofts is an artist-preference affordable housing community. Anyone may apply but preference would be given to artists, Weaver said.

One apartment site covers a vacant church site at 419-429 Hayes St. and a second is at a brownfield site at 420-424 Atlantic St., a block away.

The company adaptively reused the 100-year-old church on Hayes Street and demolished the adjacent rectory to build a new apartment site. At the Atlantic Street location, the company razed two blighted buildings to build apartments.

One parking space will be available for each residential unit at both sites. The company acquired a vacant lot across from the Atlantic Street location for off-street residential parking.

The Atlantic Street location should have apartments available for move-in starting in October, Weaver said. The Hayes Street location should be completed in November or December, with apartments available then, she said.

Rents range from $593 to $722 for one-bedroom units, $705 to $860 for two-bedroom units and $808 to $987 for three-bedroom units.

Source: LVB.com