Sept. 29, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The walls are going up off Linden Street in Bethlehem, where 36 apartments are being built.
Yes, more apartments and this is probably just the beginning. There are two other developments in the works within a mile of the construction.
The southeast corner of Linden and Butztown Road was the site of a brick ranch house until earlier this year.
Bethlehem approved a plan in 2022 for a three-story, 200-foot building with 36 apartments and 72 parking spaces at the property, with an exit onto Butztown Road.
That should lead to some horn-blasting, with cars going through the busy intersection and a Bank of America across the street.
Nearby is a Walgreen’s store, Linden Beverages and 61 apartments at the old Stefano’s restaurant site. Governor Wolf and Spring Garden elementary schools are within walking distance.
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.
Work started in earnest earlier this year, when the house came down and a swimming pool was filled.
Many years ago, a funeral home was proposed for the land. Some neighbors were not happy.
They aren’t happy now either.
Perhaps the funeral home would have been preferred but residents don’t make those choices, developers and city officials make those decisions.
