June 8, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Work has finally started at the intersection of Butztown Road and Linden Street in Bethlehem, where apartments will take the place of a large one-level house with a pool.
The house came down last week. The land is at the southeastern corner, across Butztown Road from a Bank of America branch.
Back in 2022, Bethlehem approved a plan for a three-story, 200-foot building with 36 apartments and 72 parking spaces at the corner property. That was four years ago, but a lot of local plans have been on hold.
At the other end of Butztown Road, there was some activity recently at the old Bethlehem Drive-In in Bethlehem Township, where 220 or so apartments were approved years ago. I saw a couple trucks there recently, moving gravel or some other material.
The Butztown/Linden intersection is already busy. Nearby, in addition to the bank, is a Walgreen’s store, Linden Beverages and 61 apartments at the old Stefano’s restaurant site. There are schools nearby, including Governor Wolf and Spring Garden elementary schools.
The owner is 2854 Linden LLC, a limited liability corporation linked to a property owned by developer Lewis Ronca. The LLC acquired the 2.7-acre property in 2025 for $1.2 million.
Trees were taken down at the site, then the house was demolished.
Many years ago, there was talk of a funeral home going on the corner. Neighbors might have preferred that.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 