'This Old House' Recognizes City for Preservation

Mayor John Callahan today celebrated the city's commitment to historic preservation at a press conference with residents of the city's historic district.

Recently chosen by This Old House magazine as a Best Old-House Neighborhood, Bethlehem is one of only 64 communities to receive the honor.

“So much rests on the quality of our neighborhoods,” Callahan said. “We're incredibly honored to have received this designation.”

“It's a nice 50^th birthday present,” Callahan added. “I'm proud of the work that residents and business owners have put into their homes and stores to make this neighborhood so special.”

Bethlehem's historic district was Pennsylvania's first, designated in 1961.

“It's our character that has been recognized by This Old House magazine which named Historic Bethlehem to its annual list of Best Old House neighborhoods,” he said. “Here in Bethlehem, you'll find no grids of cookie-cutter McMansions or big box store strip malls. Here...we have character.”

The mayor also took the opportunity to announce that the city's proposed has been completed.

He said the plan is “more than an anti-demolition ordinance,” and more than 400 members of the community were involved in it's creation by participating in a survey last spring and attending public input meetings held by city staff.

“In Bethlehem, we have taken a holistic approach to our historic assets, examining our regulations and policies and utilizing historic preservation in everything from economic development and zoning to streetscaping and marketing,” Callahan said.

Callahan thanked city staff for “working day in and day out.”

The plan is to be presented to city council for approval in May.

Once it is passed, the city will explore the next steps. A design guidelines update is possible, and ways to foster historically sensitive development are being considered, the mayor added.