Bethlehem Commission Favors Bid to Build Around, Above Wells Fargo Building; Worries About Birds Flying Into Glass

Dec. 12, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Bethlehem Planning Commissions favors a plan for 61 apartments built around and above the former Wells Fargo building at 52 W. Broad St.

The commission met to review Monocacy Builders’ proposal Thursday. One unusual topic that came up was how to prevent birds from flying into the building’s windows.

The plan is for a seven-story building with retail space, a restaurant and amenities for residents of the 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, according to documents filed with Bethlehem.

The proposal does not include any parking. The building is in the Central Business district zone, which does not require developers to add parking. Residents would use nearby parking decks, according to testimony at Thursday’s meeting.

Planning Commission Chairman Robert Melosky and others raised the issue of bird safety. The new construction includes a lot of glass, which can be fatal to our flying friends.

The development team said it’s looking into options for bird safety.

A local expert went over tactics for saving birds, and noted a staggering figure:

“3.5 million birds die every day throughout the year in the United States of America from flying into windows,” according to Dr. Daniel Klem, a professor of Ornithology (birds) at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.

That’s more than 1 billion per year, just in the U.S.

Klem encouraged the builder to use bird-safe glass, which has film or patterns on it to deter birds from flying into it.

I took a class with Dr. Klem many years ago, and when he talks about birds, people should listen.

The new construction above and around the bank will be set back at the top to provide a contrast between the Greek Revival-style bank and the apartments. The new facade will be metal and glass, while the bank’s look will not change.

There will be a small structure between the new development and the Dream Boyd Theatre apartments. That will probably be used as a restaurant.

Monocacy Builders, led by Plamen ‘Rocco’ Ayvazov, also developed the Dream Boyd Theatre.

The former bank is a landmark downtown. Melosky said it’s important that the development not detract from the bank’s appearance.

Reusing such buildings can be difficult. There was one in my hometown that sat for decades, unused and little-used.

One thing the owner could perhaps do now: reset the clock out front. It’s an hour ahead of the rest of Bethlehem.

LANTA’s Bethlehem Transportation Center with four bus stops is across Guetter Street from the development site.

The Planning Commission is an advisory body that takes an early look at preliminary plans, known as “sketch plans.” Developers present early renderings to get feedback from the commission.

The bank property was acquired in March for $1.6 million, according to Northampton County property records.

Here’s a link to the meeting material, including documents and a link to the video of the meeting.