[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6524244,"mediaKeyId","3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2","parentId",3864978,"title","Council awards $2.1M state-funded contract for Bogart’s Bridal rehab; approves $750,000 supplemental appropriation","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",1482000,"endMs",1600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2&start=1482&end=1600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2/thumbnail_1482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524244/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-awards-21M-state-funded-contract-for-Bogarts-Bridal-rehab-approves-750000-supplemental-appropriation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524244-d7f8652ee263a53a6ca260d75a0f7d53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166193&Signature=oWHqPtaa-7WopCEdunQBUwNVxPnNxpdXcGBVwp-aTLzbu-sI45yt5~5RA4b~qu6IRV8m90AvFqphMabXzBO~4lgI93javZ-4SUqZJUON5fKiOKwE6cPuz22quKHCVjxv4eXRu1SQw8XhHJbsjOciPgs0lNnHk8KCsiC55dQr5vtRtjggSt4MyIfhYzgp2nYu5ffPWPU8B4MZfXcc0aB2o8dXigcDvuzamZyGPR652IbKnvF4aqSnXLCQMYJK1M9o8JGs2k7x7vSCO4JHm3qd0~gL8V78cFne6RtOP8H2DbVfe1StU-RSjHetlk9~~1MM4N~1LqkVWuH5A2GQeiMKNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allentown City, PA","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a contract award of $2,102,557.18 to H & P Construction Inc. for rehabilitation work at Bogart's Bridal and adopted Bill 50, a supplemental appropriation of $750,000 from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support the same project.

City staff told council that the construction contract is being funded through a PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) grant and, per grant procurement rules, the bid was advertised on PennDOT's ECMS system. The solicitation period ran March 25 through May 8; six bids were received and staff recommended awarding to the lowest responsive bidder.

Council took a roll-call vote on the appropriation (Bill 50) and on the contract award (R75). For Bill 50 the clerk recorded seven ayes and no nays. On R75 council members indicated yes during the roll call and the president announced the spreads as \"7 yeas and no nays.\" City staff confirmed the appropriation is fully funded by the grant.

City staff also introduced R74, a set of cooperative-contract authorizations (public safety and general highway products through cooperative purchasing arrangements). No public comment was received on the cooperative-contract items and council approved them on the consent/contract agenda.

Project timeline and funding: Staff said the Bogart's Bridal contract was bid on the state's ECMS system because the work is PennDOT-funded; the construction award recommendation reflects the lowest bidder. The project budget posted in the meeting packet includes the $2.1 million construction contract and the $750,000 supplemental appropriation; staff indicated the appropriation is grant-funded and no local match was required.

Next steps: With contract award and appropriation approved, staff said procurement and contracting will move to notice-to-proceed and construction scheduling. The contract and appropriation paperwork must be completed to satisfy grant requirements before construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council on 2025-06-18","oneSentenceSummary","Council awarded a $2,102,557.18 construction contract to H & P Construction Inc. for rehabilitation of Bogart's Bridal and approved a $750,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program appropriation tied to the PennDOT-funded project.","taxTitle","Allentown City, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania","taxId",12607,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524240,"Council upholds denial of certificate of appropriateness for 945 W. Turner; owner appeals and offered path to compliance",697,5023000,5720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2&start=5023&end=5720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2/thumbnail_5023000.jpg","/articles/6524240/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-upholds-denial-of-certificate-of-appropriateness-for-945-W-Turner-owner-appeals-and-offered-path-to-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524240-e1e763c57ff273cb0de7857f313717ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166193&Signature=oUEIrSPhSjIl-4K0V-XbhCfvSwFR-bTNaZ9tRl~dhWi6~HtWAl~RlKms8Vs-f~hLS3K~s3SHVc40idlvsI0GP7lOZQOtLoIhTHtAE3WArdCfokywRAWVkGHwe5Jiq6QVRBhTi7RylKiwYKYLYjapjbJxlsSIG7TQ1mDK1FHG24Xvlub5MMQloYa6rX7JO2-e3OGk3PWiNcKgVbQYt3Cy0tPfE~NmKAIyaPKplGaQESzYR4lC-x3mR5fdb1bb9LfOuW66TDH5o8HYHVW3AdQxiEN0odG2F~9T1NvgpCvX3u~REpzRh8tdZ5ZrY~HDbKhh1eucoB27EXs7JHmk4B4lkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Allentown City Council on Wednesday considered Resolution R73 and voted to deny a certificate of appropriateness for exterior work at 945 West Turner Street.

The property owner, Dale Frichman, said he undertook chimney and liner repairs after inspectors raised safety concerns and that the work addressed health and carbon-monoxide risks. He said his contractor repaired and relined the chimney, removed sediment and installed a liner; the owner estimated significant expenditures for the remediation.

City staff and historic-preservation respondents told the council that while safety-related repairs fall under building-code enforcement, visible exterior changes within a historic district require prior review and a certificate of appropriateness (HARP). City staff said the contractor did not obtain a certificate before completing visible work, and the historic preservation panel recommended denial because the applicant was unwilling to alter the completed work to meet HARP standards.

At the council meeting the owner said he had not received direct notice of the committee hearing and that he was surprised the item was before full council. City staff replied that notices typically go to the applicant listed on permit submissions and that the contractor attended the committee hearing representing the application.

Council members voted on R73; the committee had previously recommended denial. The clerk recorded a roll call with mixed votes; several members voted yes to deny and at least two recorded no votes. The council president announced the result; staff advised the owner that, if the denial stands, he must submit a plan to bring the property into compliance with HARP standards or face enforcement through the magistrate.","Council denied a certificate of appropriateness for work completed at 945 West Turner Street after hearing that visible exterior chimney repairs in a historic district were carried out without the required HARP approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524235,"Votes at a glance: Allentown City Council actions on June 18, 2025",288,1312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2&start=1312&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2/thumbnail_1312000.jpg","/articles/6524235/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Allentown-City-Council-actions-on-June-18-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524235-5c5ec70452a6a32cd3cc9508036bcab9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166193&Signature=mC4U3HkE7h3b1T79ytqUmjoX7UlqGLWc3GfvfqAT7vAeJjuxM0mja8vWO8Vp9lnypPFG9pbIljn6FxC9JhZ6GrYsM5XGMNCfnyHNc8H38fpVcfwytIxXyLdkKMuMgsH7-g0FUivjLTT-YZ~N7qLEEq3K1ZOxH0FcPO3iXXMpSFkaJL94Ujo6fJmsK8AtCNXAxXZTb2ZhAnHd1MI4nv~luRQOq1RBUQHneRxkFeRmyP597J~~LdlQjUjJdYyROUdchq9uDH8W7SP~GZf3rRDTaFdBCLiWDoPwoL15mj9wVZfp5Lhh~rKzbBvc-AV7u4fPZaMYQFgP7FGvhOzNMX2nDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This is a concise summary of formal actions taken at the Allentown City Council meeting on June 18, 2025. Items below are drawn from roll-call votes and clerk records in the meeting transcript.

Passed / Approved
- Bill 16: Amendment to Chapter 660 (definition of \"community center\") — adopted (see separate article for full debate). Recorded roll-call indicated majority yes votes.
- R74: Authorization for cooperative contracts (Ezra Inc. Tile; public safety and general highway products) — approved on the consent/contract agenda.
- R75: Contract award to H & P Construction Inc. for rehabilitation of Bogart's Bridal ($2,102,557.18) — approved; staff reported 7 yeas and no nays.
- Bill 50: 2025 Capital Fund supplemental appropriation of $750,000 from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support Bogart's Bridal rehab — approved (clerk recorded 7 yeas and no nays).
- Bill 51: Transfer of $100,000 from equipment fund to fleet maintenance budget to cover repairs — approved (clerk recorded 7 yeas and no nays).
- Bill 52: Amendment to traffic-control maps — approved (clerk recorded 7 yeas and no nays).
- R77: Approve submission of a grant application to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (DCNR) for construction of phase 2 of the MLK Trail — approved (clerk recorded majority yes).
- R78: Cancel July 2 council meeting and reschedule July 16 to July 23 — approved.

Denied / Other
- R73: Denial of certificate of appropriateness at 945 West Turner Street — council affirmed the committee recommendation to deny; the owner was directed to work with historic-preservation staff to submit a remediation plan or face enforcement.

Referred / Sent to committee
- Bills 53–59 (various appropriations, Trexler Fund adjustments, position changes, capital budget items) were sent to the relevant committees for review as listed in the meeting agenda and by committee chairs.

Notes on procedure
- Several items tied to state or grant procurement (Bogart's Bridal) were advertised and bid through state systems per grant rules (PennDOT ECMS). Staff repeatedly confirmed when items were fully grant-funded.
- The WalkWorks bike-plan resolution (R76) was presented and then tabled for lack of full plan review and requested ADA/wheelchair analysis; it was not adopted on June 18.

If a reader needs the exact roll-call text for a specific ordinance or resolution, the meeting transcript includes clerk roll-call lines and the city clerk’s vote tallies recorded at the time of each item.","Summary of formal votes and referrals recorded during the June 18 Allentown City Council meeting, including contract awards, appropriations, amendments to budgets, and scheduling changes.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524249,"Council tables WalkWorks bike plan after presentation; members ask for full plan and ADA review",1316,2040000,3356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2&start=2040&end=3356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2/thumbnail_2040000.jpg","/articles/6524249/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Council-tables-WalkWorks-bike-plan-after-presentation-members-ask-for-full-plan-and-ADA-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524249-bafcb60740069f93582c0515ef9dc028/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166193&Signature=h0tTPKswaniF2rQ0YUOsVT5ZYk83JjiMKgC1Xp1KoO37hDi51zNhvqQ3kuAPPWHvbWM2vbK-EhXt0qACD9pTR9EQ-Qf3EswyVZE5mTZB0tn3frzlYvicik9nzLB~uSviLfJ~nqT107UusoFVV2D~r-JZwvGFYVbzxa28DWn7qJqTVo9PMvLaWa2oS34pYACBGJSIcUs4NRnCWM5yYu62ZoeOvRSRhh0KwQwQnoujBMiQ8yZX6qVnAXQ22gshkiXgLp5NBOTvdXH4sfMkZdMrnLqpqgPazHfRHEGAyVZjlw8Q8f3X8QPvRPaeFHx3z7aR7F7R-011RIzoPuv0tq1dDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City consultants presented the WalkWorks bicycle plan to Allentown City Council on Wednesday, describing an inventory of existing facilities, a safety analysis and a proposed network of protected lanes, bike boulevards and shared markings.

Chris Stanford of Michael Baker (presentation lead) said the city currently has one dedicated bike lane (Mac Boulevard, about one mile) and roughly 12 miles of shared-lane markings. The study identified gaps in on-street connectivity and noted an increase in bicycle crashes — from 16 in 2020 to 28 in 2023. The consulting team proposed a menu of treatments including buffered bike lanes, parking-protected lanes, concrete separators and bicycle boulevards that rely on low-speed residential streets and traffic-calming measures.

Stanford said project costs and implementation would be phased, with recommendations to pursue resurfacing restriping opportunities and state and federal grants. He also recommended more bicycle-counting, better lighting (more than 25% of crashes occurred at night), improved way-finding and coordination with LANTA bus routes.

Council members raised several concerns. Councilwoman Gerlach asked whether the resolution's language — which references walking, wheelchairs and transit as well as bicycling — accurately reflected the study’s scope; consultants and staff said the study was a bicycle plan funded through WalkWorks and did not evaluate wheelchair or ADA issues in depth. Members said wheelchair and pedestrian access should be analyzed in parallel and that the resolution should not suggest the city has completed that work if it has not.

Several council members also asked for the full plan prior to adopting a resolution. One member moved and a colleague seconded a motion to table the resolution so councilors could review the full document and allow staff time to answer questions about e-bikes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and specific corridors such as MLK and Jefferson Street. The motion to table carried with support from multiple council members.

Public commenters asked that electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters be considered and requested clearer analysis of areas like MLK, where traffic volume and event traffic create safety concerns. A consultant clarified the city’s directive was to prepare a citywide bicycle plan; he said ADA and wheelchair issues are legitimate topics for later planning and for project-level engineering.

Council members left the meeting with a directive to circulate the complete WalkWorks plan to all members before resuming consideration, and to provide additional analysis on ADA/wheelchair interactions, e-bike policy and corridor-specific traffic studies before final adoption.","Consultants presented a citywide bicycle plan funded by a $35,000 WalkWorks grant. Council members requested the full plan and additional analysis on pedestrian, wheelchair and e-bike considerations and voted to table adoption.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524252,"Allentown council amends zoning definition to allow community centers to serve all ages; vote passes",1078,269000,1347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2&start=269&end=1347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864978-6c568d2dd49df7f7256b59cf85f838c2/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6524252/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Allentown-council-amends-zoning-definition-to-allow-community-centers-to-serve-all-ages-vote-passes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524252-1397455d20a87dc5f3e87b0b3e47dc90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166193&Signature=IkRpw-Zf~yfybYml8-TEe91UoSO5UB9wmjCR53u8694IVA5rA-uKN1MI667Ywi7E-O6Z4CrSDHEkwbw1SWcQTyg3SshMNC3AT~8hUaMxxsZoYmVS-cPhQS9iaXLQg-6Fr7iVY92UniQ5YFGYKWuaHkZ1S2S~U28Qb2rK4dgaWA0UNKrIrwTTYDfat220578XqZ5ddX2KZXcYYhjUagsDbTFSBRAFvGPjtuZmCNQ7kKFbPDM9UrlOKS6O8ZQQZix3oO0rloRLilS~lI0INkkgusqj5pqY8G1TCIpV86uTbucF~K7X6V3QKl1tntR5FKJPDMrrv1AQi03GxiVrNr-qBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved Bill 16, a zoning-code amendment to Chapter 660 that changes the definition of \"community center\" to remove a restriction limiting food service to senior citizens.

The change makes it explicit that community centers may provide meals to people of any age; council members and staff emphasized that the amendment is a definition change and does not alter existing special-exception procedures for uses in residential zoning districts.

The amendment drew a mix of public comment. Michael Schwer, a resident who submitted a speaking card, said the issue is \"where they should be allowed to be fed and where what changes should be able to happen in our communities,\" and urged council to protect single-family neighborhoods from intensive uses. \"We need your help,\" he said. Schwer also noted concerns about illegal conversions and nuisance activity in nearby blocks.

Council members debated the balance between expanding access to food and protecting neighborhoods. Councilwoman Gerlach asked whether the health department and zoning officers would still regulate food service; City zoning staffer Gomez said food-service operations would be subject to health inspections and that, in residential zoning districts, community centers would remain a special-exception use. \"Procedurally on our end, we do a public notice,\" Gomez said, describing the zoning hearing board process and the standard that the board shall not approve a special exception if it would create a traffic or public-safety hazard or negatively affect the character of a residential neighborhood.

Other council members said the change would not allow community centers to open unchecked in single-family areas. One council member noted that in commercial and industrial districts the rules differ, while in residential districts the special-exception process — with public notice and a hearing before the zoning hearing board — remains in place.

Council President Hammond called the roll on Bill 16 after public comment and discussion. Several council members declared their votes in favor during the roll call, with one council member recorded as voting no. Following the roll call, the president stated that a yes vote meant the bill would pass.

Supporters of the amendment argued that allowing community centers to feed anyone who needs a meal strengthens neighborhoods and connects people to services; a council member recalled eating at church basements and said community centers \"add vitality\" and \"add a sense of community to a neighborhood.\" Opponents and some neighborhood speakers warned the change could enable new, more intensive uses and urged vigilance from zoning and health officials.

The council and city staff repeatedly emphasized that the bill changes only the definition and does not remove the special-exception review or public-notice requirements for uses in residential zoning districts.

The council approved Bill 16 in a roll-call vote. The bill's amended definition will take effect according to the city's adoption procedures; parties interested in opposing an individual use must raise objections through the existing zoning-hearing process.

Votes and next steps: City staff said that an applicant seeking to establish a community center in a residential district must still file with the zoning officer and, if initially denied as a special-exception application, may appeal to the zoning hearing board, which will hold a public hearing and consider neighborhood testimony and the code's standards.

Community reaction: Speakers at the meeting asked the council to balance access to food with neighborhood quality-of-life concerns. Council members asked staff to ensure neighborhoods receive notice of any applications and reiterated that health inspections and the zoning-hearing process are triggers for enforcement when unpermitted activity is alleged.","The Allentown City Council voted to amend Chapter 660 of the zoning code (Bill 16) to change the definition of \"community center,\" removing a restriction that limited dining services to senior citizens. Council and residents debated neighborhood impacts and zoning protections before the measure passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council awards $2.1M state-funded contract for Bogart’s Bridal rehab; approves $750,000 supplemental appropriation

Council upholds denial of certificate of appropriateness for 945 W. Turner; owner appeals and offered path to compliance

Votes at a glance: Allentown City Council actions on June 18, 2025

Council tables WalkWorks bike plan after presentation; members ask for full plan and ADA review

Allentown council amends zoning definition to allow community centers to serve all ages; vote passes