City Council - 2026-03-18
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Allentown City Council unanimously approved multiple pass-through grants totaling over $2.5 million for local cultural and community organizations, including $1 million for the Baum School of Art and $775,000 for the Allentown Art Museum. Council also approved emergency funding of $95,222.50 for traffic signal repairs at 6th & Walnut and Union Boulevard intersections damaged by windstorms. A sewage planning module for apartment renovations at 231 North 7th Street and 232 North Church Street was approved on the consent agenda.
Key Decisions (17)
Lehigh and Union Street Reconstruction Funding
Bill 10 approved $346,158 increase to capital fund budget for reconstruction on Lehigh and Union Street as part of Pennsylvania local share account grant. Grant is fully reimbursable upon project completion.
Resurrected Community Development Corporation Grant
Bill 13 approved $25,050,000 supplemental appropriation from share account grant as pass-through funding for Resurrected Community Development Corporation.
Jewish Community Center Grant
Bill 14 approved $400,000 pass-through grant from PA DCED local share account to support the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley.
Museum of Indian Culture Grant
Bill 15 approved $296,878 pass-through grant from PA DCED local share account to support the Museum of Indian Culture.
Baum School of Art Grant
Bill 16 approved $1,000,000 pass-through grant from state office of the budget redevelopment assistance capital program to support the Baum School of Art.
Allentown Art Museum Grant
Bill 17 approved $775,000 pass-through grant from PA DCED local share account to support the Allentown Art Museum.
Traffic Signal Upgrades Transfer
Bill 18 approved transfer of $55,000 from completed capital account for traffic signal redesign at 17th & London Street, 17th & Turner Street, 17th & Choo Street, and 17th & Walnut Street intersections. Project mostly funded through multimodal transportation fund grant.
Street Tree Fund Appropriation
Bill 19 approved $55,295.39 supplemental appropriation from payment in lieu tree plantings from Allentown School District, Waterfront Development Corp, North 6th Street properties, Executive Education Charter School, East Penn properties, and QR 3309 East Hamilton Street LLC for purchase of new street trees.
Fire and EMS Equipment Grant
Bill 22 approved $15,000 supplemental appropriation from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania office of the state fire commissioner grant for Allentown Fire and EMS Department equipment purchase.
BELFOR USA Boarding Services Contract
R37 authorized contract with BELFOR USA Group for estimated $25,000 yearly for standard boarding up services for commercial and residential properties. Three-year contract with two additional one-year renewal options.
Granicus LLC Contract Extension
R37.5 authorized contract extension for Granicus LLC through June 30, 2026 to align with RFP timeline for council chambers system.
231 North 7th Street Apartment Renovation Sewage Module
R38 approved sewage planning module for apartment renovation at 231 North 7th Street and 232 North Church Street.
1 Center Square Sewage Planning Module
R42 approved sewage planning module at 1 Center Square.
Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness - 1515 Linden Street
R43 approved certificate of appropriateness for work in historic districts at 1515 Linden Street.
Police Department Command Vehicle Grant Application
R45 approved submission of formal application to PA DCED for $807,000 from statewide local share account grant for new command post vehicle to replace 2005-era vehicle retired from Bethlehem.
Police Department Firearms and Equipment Grant Application
R46 approved submission of formal application to PA DCED for $295,350 from statewide local share account grant for replacement firearms and ballistic shields for Allentown Police Department.
Emergency Traffic Signal Repairs
Bill 25 approved with rules suspended for emergency $95,222.50 appropriation to repair traffic signals at 6th & Walnut and Union Boulevard (in front of Coca Cola Park) damaged by windstorm approximately three weeks prior. Work to be performed by Telco.
Development Activity (3)
231 North 7th Street and 232 North Church Street Apartment Renovation
Apartment renovation project requiring sewage planning module approval
1 Center Square Development
Project requiring sewage planning module approval
1515 Linden Street Historic District Work
Work in historic district requiring certificate of appropriateness
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
City experiencing supply chain delays on traffic infrastructure components including mast arms and poles, with lead times extending several months.
Housing Demand
Multiple developers including Waterfront Development Corp, North 6th Street properties, Executive Education Charter School, East Penn properties, and QR 3309 East Hamilton Street LLC are paying fees in lieu of tree plantings, indicating active development activity.
Sentiment
Shade Tree Commission actively working to increase cash-in-lieu fees for tree plantings to better reflect actual tree values, potentially increasing development costs.
Infrastructure
City investing over $2.5 million in cultural institutions including Baum School of Art ($1M), Allentown Art Museum ($775K), and Jewish Community Center ($400K), signaling commitment to arts district development.