130,000-Square-Foot Data Center Proposed for Bethlehem, Near Routes 22 and 378

Aug. 26, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

A developer has proposed a 130,000-square-foot data center in Bethlehem, near Route 378, city officials said Tuesday.

The 2184 Industrial Drive property used to be a Crowder Service Center (photograph below).

The proposal comes in before the city has passed new rules governing the big-box buildings that house computer servers and other equipment, consuming lots of electricity and generating lots of heat.

Bethlehem and cities and states across the U.S. are trying to rein in the development of data centers, citing residents’ concerns about noise and demand for electricity and water. Wariness of Artificial Intelligence also plays a role in the opposition to the centers.

Cathy Fletcher, director of planning and zoning, told the Planning Commission last night about the proposal. That was not an agenda item, but the commission was reviewing proposed zoning changes to give the city some control over data-center development.

Craig Pfeiffer of the planning and zoning department later said the proposed site is 2184 Industrial Drive, just north of Route 22. The building is visible as drivers take the 22 West Exit off Route 378.

The land is in the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem. County records say the property covers 6.6 acres and is owned by Paxos Enterprises, a limited liability corporation that acquired the site in 2021 for $4.34 million.

Fletcher did not identify the developer proposing the data center. As of now, city staff is reviewing the plan before it goes to the Planning Commission.

Here’s a link to video of the Planning Commission meeting.