Bethlehem City Council to Review Liquor License Transfer to Former Broadway Social, $3.8 Million to Replace Century-Old Reservoir

March 17, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Bethlehem City Council will review contracts to spend $3.8 million on a century-old water reservoir in Lower Saucon Township tonight.

It will also decide on transferring a liquor license to the old Broadway Social on the Southside.

Council will consider two contracts for the reservoir, one for construction and perhaps demolition, the other for electrical work.

From tonight’s agenda, the construction contract:

“General construction services for installation of a new 1 million gallon pre-stressed concrete tank to replace the 100 year old 2 million gallon reservoir located on south mountain in Lower Saucon Township. Hydraulic demand projection warrants smaller tank size. Scope of work to include alternate bid item for demolition of the existing tank following completion of new tank.”

The administration of Mayor J. William Reynolds proposes Preload LLC of Louisville, Kentucky, as the contractor.

Then the electrical work for the replacement: Electrical construction services for installation of a new 1 million gallon pre-stressed concrete tank to replace the 100 year old 2 million gallon reservoir located on south
mountain in Lower Saucon Township.

The city’s contractor for electrical work will be Brendan Stanton Inc. of Montgomeryville, if council approves.

Bethlehem’s water system serves the city and neighboring townships and boroughs.

As noted in the first contract, the city’s projection of demand allows for a 1-million-gallon tank, half the size of the current reservoir.

Council will also review the transfer of a liquor license from 250 Line St., Easton, to Ride ‘Em Cowboy at 217 Broadway. That is the old Broadway Social, according to a real estate ad, which says the location has bars on the first and second floor, exposed brick and wooden floors.

The agenda also includes a lot of appointments, including nine to the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

Bethlehem City Council will meet at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 17, in Town Hall. The meeting will also be shown on the Internet. Here’s a link to the agenda and below is a cut-and-paste version.

Agendas are subject to change.

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026 – 7:00 PM
TOWN HALL – 10 EAST CHURCH STREET – BETHLEHEM, PA

Pledge to the Flag

1. Roll Call CITATIONS HONORING: Assistant Fire Chief Allan S. Burghardt and Thomas Benner, Jr.

PUBLIC HEARING

Prior to the consideration of the regular Agenda items, City Council will conduct a Public Hearing:

PUBLIC HEARING (01 PH)
This Public Hearing is to receive public comment on the request for the Intermunicipal Transfer of Retail
Restaurant Liquor License No. R-8050 from Easton Meat & Produce Corp., 250 Line Street, Easton, Northampton
County, PA to Ride ‘Em Cowboy Co., 217 Broadway, City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA.

2. Approval of Minutes – February 17, 2026
3. Public Comment 3 A. On subjects not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
   3 B. On Ordinances and Resolutions being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
4. Old Business 4 A. Old Business – Members of Council
5. Committee of the Whole Meeting – Ethics Training
   4 B. Tabled Items
   4 C. Unfinished Business
6. New Business 5 A.
7. Communications 6 A. Business Administrator – Appointment of Delegate and Alternate Delegate
   6 B. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – 2026 01 GC 2MG Reservoir Replacement – Preload, LLC
   6 C. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – 2026 01 EC 2MG Drinking Water Reservoir Replacement
   – Brendan Stanton, Inc.
   6 D. Director of Public Works – 2026 19 Pavement Study and Design – GPE Corporation

(over)

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Page 2
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026 – 7:00 P.M.

6 E. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – Hill-to-Hill Bridge – PennDOT Authorization
6 F. Director of Water and Sewer Resources – 2026 06 Water Infrastructure Replacement – R-III
Construction, Inc.
6 G. Business Manager DCED – Memo – Records Destruction Resolution
6 H. Director of Public Works – Memo – 2026 20 Golf Course Maintenance Barn Design – TL Engineering
dba ELFRETH
6 I. Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator – Emergency Operations Plan
6 J. Director of Public Works – 2026 10 – ADA 90 Curb Ramps – Baseline Contracting, Inc.
6 K. Director of Public Works – 2026 04 – Street Overlays – ADA 33 Curb Ramps – Heidelberg Materials
Northeast LLC
6 L. City Solicitor – Use Permit Agreement –Touchstone Theatre – America Dreams/Festival Unbound ‘26
6 M. City Solicitor – Use Permit Agreement – American Association of University Women (AAUW) –
2026 Book Fair
6 N. Director of Public Works – Donation Agreement – Aquatic Club of Outdoor Fitness Equipment

7. Reports 7 A. President of Council
8. Councilmanic Appointment – Valerie Noonan – Bethlehem Human Relations Commission
9. Councilmanic Appointment – Karen Davison – Bethlehem Human Relations Commission
10. Councilmanic Appointment – Marilyn Kelly-Cavotta – Bethlehem Human Relations Commission 7 B. Mayor
11. Administrative Order No. 2026-01 – Steven G. Thompson – Bethlehem Human Relations
    Commission
12. Administrative Order No. 2026-02 – Donna Mugavero – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
13. Administrative Order No. 2026-03 – Carol Parker – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
14. Administrative Order No. 2026-04 – Sue Berkenstock – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
15. Administrative Order No. 2026-05 – Sharon Brown – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
16. Administrative Order No. 2026-06 – James A. DePietro – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
17. Administrative Order No. 2026-07 – Adam Ercolani – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
18. Administrative Order No. 2026-08 – Barbara Fraust – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
19. Administrative Order No. 2026-09 – Stephanie Powell-Watts – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission 7 C. Michael G. Colón, Chair – Finance Committee
20. Ordinances for Final Passage
    None.
21. New Ordinances 9 A. Bill 13-2026 – Budget Adjustments – Sewer Capital Fund
    9 B. Bill 14-2026 – Budget Adjustments – Water Capital Fund
    9 C. Bill 15-2026 – Budget Adjustments – Water Fund Budget

(over)

BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Page 3
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026 – 7:00 P.M.

9 D. Bill 16-2026 – Budget Adjustments – OSFC Grant – Fire – General Fund
9 E. Bill 17-2026 – Budget Adjustments – EMS 2025 OSFC Grant – Fire – General Fund

10. Resolutions 10 A. Approve Resolution – Appointment of Delegate and Alternate Delegate
    10 B. Approve Resolution – 2026 01 GC 2MG Reservoir Replacement – Preload, LLC
    10 C. Approve Resolution – 2026 01 EC 2MG Drinking Water Reservoir Replacement – Brendan Stanton,
    Inc.
    10 D. Approve Resolution – 2026 19 Pavement Study and Design – GPE Corporation
    10 E. Approve Resolution – Hill-to-Hill Bridge – PennDOT Authorization
    10 F. Approve Resolution – 2026 06 Water Infrastructure Replacement – R-III Construction, Inc.
    10 G. Approve Resolution – Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer – Ride ‘Em Cowboy Co.
    10 H. Approve Resolution – 2026 20 Golf Course Maintenance Barn Design – TL Engineering
    dba ELFRETH
    10 I. Approve Resolution – Emergency Management Coordinator – Emergency Operations Plan
    10 J. Approve Resolution – 2026 10 – ADA 90 Curb Ramps – Baseline Contracting, Inc.
    10 K. Approve Resolution – 2026 04 – Street Overlays – ADA 33 Curb Ramps – Heidelberg Materials
    Northeast LLC
    10 L. Approve Use Permit Agreement Resolution – Touchstone Theatre – America Dreams/Festival
    Unbound 2026
    10 M. Approve Use Permit Agreement Resolution – American Association of University Women (AAUW) –
    2026 Book Fair
    10 N. Approve Resolution – Donation Agreement – Aquatic Club of Outdoor Fitness Equipment
    10 O. Approve Resolution – Temporary Help – Fire
    10 P. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 1506 Calypso Avenue
    10 Q. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 305 East Fourth Street
    10 R. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – HCC – 307 East Fourth Street
    10 S. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – HARB – 415 Long Street
11. Adjournment