Community and Economic Development Committee - 2026-03-18
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Community and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved five pass-through grants totaling approximately $5.4 million for construction projects supporting local nonprofits including Resurrected Community Development Corporation, Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, Museum of Indian Culture, Baum School of Art, and Allentown Art Museum. The committee also received updates on RFP processes for 540 Hamilton and the Toy Factory properties, a pending data center ordinance, and the Allentown Works workforce development program launching next quarter.
Key Decisions (5)
$250,000 Grant for Resurrected Community Development Corporation
Bill 13 approved supplemental appropriation of $250,000 from PADCED local share account grant as pass-through funding for construction project supporting Resurrected Community Development Corporation.
$400,000 Grant for Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley
Bill 14 approved supplemental appropriation of $400,000 from PA local share account grant as pass-through funding for construction project supporting Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley.
$2,966,878 Grant for Museum of Indian Culture
Bill 15 approved supplemental appropriation of $2,966,878 from PADCED local share account grant as pass-through funding for construction project supporting Museum of Indian Culture.
$1,000,000 Grant for Baum School of Art
Bill 16 approved supplemental appropriation of $1,000,000 from state Office of the Budget Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program as pass-through funding for construction project supporting Baum School of Art.
$775,000 Grant for Allentown Art Museum
Bill 17 approved supplemental appropriation of $775,000 from PADCED local share account grant as pass-through funding for construction project supporting Allentown Art Museum.
Development Activity (3)
540 Hamilton Street RFP
RACA issued RFP for redevelopment proposals; walk-throughs well attended; proposals due approximately April; board will narrow to top three proposals for consideration.
Toy Factory RFP
RACA issued generic RFP open to community-based organizations and 501c3s; walk-throughs well attended; proposals due approximately April.
Allentown Works - Small Business Site
Program includes acquiring and renovating a site to bring small business into a neighborhood as part of walk-to-work opportunities initiative.
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
City lacks sufficient community housing organizations (CHODOs) to handle HOME-funded rehab projects, with HADC no longer operating and CALV spread thin across the valley.
Infrastructure
Federal Buy American requirements (BABA) expanding to 10% of all materials causing significant cost increases and delays in federally-funded rehab projects, deterring developers from using federal funds.
Labor
Allentown Works workforce development program launching mid-to-late Q2 2026 with partners including LCCC, workforce board, labor unions, and Century Promise for workplace training.
Commercial Demand
Strong developer interest in 540 Hamilton and Toy Factory properties evidenced by well-attended walk-throughs from parties far and wide.