Allentown School District Completes $1.9 Million Purchase of Atiyeh Property in Union Terrace Neighborhood

Aug. 2, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The Allentown School District has acquired a Union Terrace property from developer Abe Atiyeh for $1.9 million.

The 1940 W. Fairview St. property covers about 7 acres. The district’s purchase of the property was discussed last year as part of the district’s “continuation of facility expansion.”

The sale was recorded by Lehigh County in June. The seller was St. Elmo Development, a limited liability corporation controlled by Atiyeh. The property is listed with addresses on West Fairview and St. Elmo streets.

The ASD’s Board of Directors approved the purchase in November 2025, pending a “due diligence” review of the site. The property had been proposed for residential development earlier.

The Allentown School District operates 25 schools and serves about 16,700 students. The district’s credit rating was recently raised to investment grade.