2008 Woodie Awards
RSSAbandoned tracks fated for green transformation
By Greg Alvarez
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
Bethlehem city officials have formulated a plan to convert the town's abandoned railway tracks into green space and parkland through an initiative called the South Bethlehem Greenway.
Darlene Heller, Director of Planning and Zoning in Bethlehem, spoke to students, professors and local residents Thursday about the details and location of the new green space.
Heller used maps and blueprints of South Bethlehem to describe the location of the Greenway and what steps are needed to accommodate the path.
Construction of the path is scheduled to begin by January 2008 and take about five years to complete.
The Greenway will run from Union Station on the west end of the South Side and will extend past the Lynn Street bridge on the east end.
"It runs like a spine downtown from east to west," Heller said.
The Greenway will be approximately 12 feet wide in most areas of the path and where possible, will open wider to accommodate park and recreational land.
Its primary function will be as a walking path and bike trail. Heller said that the more open parts of the path will one day be used to hold events such as farmer's markets and concerts.
Heller said Lehigh will play a vital role in the creation and maintenance of the Greenway.
"Lehigh has been a great partner with the city in many ways," Heller said.
The South Side Initiative, a university program headed by John Pettegrew, a professor of history, and Seth Moglen, professor of English, sponsored the presentation and will for future lectures throughout the year concerning the changes and revitalization in South Bethlehem.
According to Pettegrew, one of the South Side Initiative's goals is to use Lehigh resources to help Bethlehem through its transition period.
Heller expects Lehigh's assistance to come in a wide variety of areas.
One goal is to bring Lehigh students and local artists together to decorate the path and help make each section unique.
Darlene Heller, Director of Planning and Zoning in Bethlehem, spoke to students, professors and local residents Thursday about the details and location of the new green space.
Heller used maps and blueprints of South Bethlehem to describe the location of the Greenway and what steps are needed to accommodate the path.
Construction of the path is scheduled to begin by January 2008 and take about five years to complete.
The Greenway will run from Union Station on the west end of the South Side and will extend past the Lynn Street bridge on the east end.
"It runs like a spine downtown from east to west," Heller said.
The Greenway will be approximately 12 feet wide in most areas of the path and where possible, will open wider to accommodate park and recreational land.
Its primary function will be as a walking path and bike trail. Heller said that the more open parts of the path will one day be used to hold events such as farmer's markets and concerts.
Heller said Lehigh will play a vital role in the creation and maintenance of the Greenway.
"Lehigh has been a great partner with the city in many ways," Heller said.
The South Side Initiative, a university program headed by John Pettegrew, a professor of history, and Seth Moglen, professor of English, sponsored the presentation and will for future lectures throughout the year concerning the changes and revitalization in South Bethlehem.
According to Pettegrew, one of the South Side Initiative's goals is to use Lehigh resources to help Bethlehem through its transition period.
Heller expects Lehigh's assistance to come in a wide variety of areas.
One goal is to bring Lehigh students and local artists together to decorate the path and help make each section unique.
