March 27, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Martin Tower was demolished in 2019, the site was cleared and the 52-acre tract was touted as a great opportunity to build housing and retail space in the City of Bethlehem.
That was seven years ago, and it’s still mostly open space. The site of Bethlehem Steel’s headquarters resembles a motocross course more than a development. The main feature is a huge pile of dirt.
Back in February 2023, Bethlehem’s Planning Commission approved a proposal for the land that included a hotel and 1,085 apartments. Commissioners had some quibbles with the plan from developers Lewis Ronca and Norton Herrick.
Jefferson Health has put up two buildings at the site, aided by a $9 million state grant. Philadelphia-based Jefferson operates locally under the Lehigh Valley Health Network brand.
Plans can change, but what’s going on at the site? I checked with Bethlehem City Councilman Bryan Callahan, who has raised the Martin Tower issue at public meetings.
Here’s part of his response:
“More recently, in response to my inquiry at a City Council meeting, a representative of the Administration publicly stated that the developer will proceed with residential development “if we give them a big tax break”. What the Administration refuses to recognize or acknowledge is that 1,000 residential units, even with LERTA, will still generate millions of dollars of NEW tax revenues, contributions to the City’s affordable housing trust fund, recreation fees, impact fees and the like,” Callahan wrote in an email.
LERTA stands for Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, a tax break that promotes development.
Callahan also said the administration of Mayor J. William Reynolds has insisted upon an “affordable housing” component at Martin Tower, adding to the cost of development. He also said that development at Martin Tower would generate tax revenue, even with a break for the developers.
Mayor Reynolds can’t compel development at the site but perhaps the city can give residents some insight into what’s happening.
So how long will the land sit vacant? So far, there have been seven lean years on what was once promoted as the last big opportunity to develop open space in the City of Bethlehem.
It might make for a nice frisbee golf course or a petting zoo, but I don’t think that’s going to return much in taxes.
In a perfect world, we could have a 50-acre wildlands park. We do not live in a perfect world and the city needs revenue as the cost of everything goes up.
The Martin Tower site could contribute to the municipal coffers.
Right now, it’s a big pile of dirt. What’s next? Anything?
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 