ALLENTOWN, April 25 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer was instrumental in bringing $12 million in state funding back to the city of Allentown for three critical development projects that will boost jobs and improve the quality of life for city residents and workers.

“These projects will go toward community building, job security and the revitalization of Allentown. They will contribute to the betterment of our community, whether by educating the young minds of tomorrow or by providing safer and easier access to quality health care or redeveloping sites to increase the local economy,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I’d also like to thank Governor Wolf for recognizing Allentown’s need for the new DaVinci Science Center, which just recently broke ground for the new facility, by authorizing the funding.”

Schweyer said the funding, made possible through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Program will benefit the following projects:

• The Da Vinci Science Center – received $10 million to construct a 67,300-square-foot science center which will be home to more than 30,000 square feet of STEM-based interactive exhibits, an 8,600-square-foot STEAM Learning Center, a 150-seat demonstration theater, a grand courtyard and exhibit space, and other amenities for visitors.

• St. Luke’s Hospital – received $1 million to connect the Sigal Center with the St. Luke’s Parking Garage next to it. Parking garage improvements include a new vehicular access ramp from the parking lot at the Sigal Center and a new pedestrian bridge from the second floor of the parking garage into the Sigal Center. The project includes utility relocation/coordination, a new pedestrian bridge, the relocation of the parking garage entrance/ramp, and new lighting.

• The Allentown Economic Development Corporation – received $1 million for phase 1B of the Basin Street Redevelopment Project, which will construct the foundation of the building. Specifically, cast-in-place foundations, footings, and piers and the associated 6″ stone base and 8″ slab on ground. It will also be used to erect pre-cast wall panels.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Thomas LeClair
House Democratic Communications Office

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