Buildings focus of Steel land hearing

Developers to identify structures marked for preservation at Sept. 19 meeting.

Friday, September 09, 2005

By KURT BRESSWEIN

The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM -- BethWorks Now plans to make clear what slots mean for former Bethlehem Steel structures before city council's Sept. 19 public hearing on a proposal to ban gambling on the land.

Michael Perrucci, a principal in the development team that owns the land, said Thursday that between now and the hearing, the developers will identify the steel structures that are to be preserved, roll out definitive job creation estimates and present the proposed slots parlor design.

"It's not going to be glitz," he promised a group of South Side business owners during a breakfast meeting. "It's going to look like a refurbished steel mill."

Perrucci reiterated that without slots, the developers cannot afford to preserve the structures cherished by many Bethlehem residents for the jobs they meant and their contributions to building the nation.

Mike Kohn, owner of Patti's Petals Inc. flower shop on East Third Street, implored his fellow small-business owners to voice their support for the project at the council hearing.

"This project is a no-brainer," said John Saraceno, owner of the Saraceno Design graphic arts firm on Third Street. "There's not enough money in the city of Bethlehem to fix that site up."

The meeting also drew detractors, or at least those still on the fence about slots in Bethlehem. Perrucci reminded the crowd that the morality question ended last year in Harrisburg, when legislators and Gov. Ed Rendell approved 14 slots licenses. One is destined for the Lehigh Valley, many believe.

Inger Olsen, owner of the Comfort & Joy shop on Third Street, accused organizers of Thursday's meeting of pandering to supporters and not inviting opponents.

BethWorks Now representative Rob DeBeer said fliers were distributed throughout South Side businesses with "no rhyme or reason."

The fliers contained an error, indicating the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce supports the redevelopment plan. BethWorks Now was thinking of its supporter, the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, and not the chamber, which is undecided on the plan, Perrucci said.

Olsen said she, too, is undecided on whether to back BethWorks Now because of the gambling component.

"I want the buildings to be preserved," she said. "I want to see something good. I'm just not sure if this is the way to do it."

Her sister and co-worker, Randi Olsen-Pavlick, said she wonders if the Smithsonian Institution will maintain its affiliation with the National Museum of Industrial History, planned for Third Street within the redevelopment, if it is surrounded by a development built on gambling.

Lucy Lennon, a vocal slots opponent who owns the Dancing Fish sushi restaurant on Third Street, said she would prefer the property be developed slowly over time instead of relying on the gambling money.

Perrucci said work would begin on the slots parlor, to be owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corp., immediately following the issuance of one of the licenses. He said he anticipates applying for the license in November.

"We're led to believe that by May or June we may be issued a license," Perrucci said.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which controls the licenses, has not identified when applications can be filed or would be awarded for the standalone slots licenses sought by Las Vegas Sands, owner of the Venetian in Las Vegas and other facilities.

The slots parlor could be built in 14 months, Perrucci said. Construction would begin within months of the license issuance on an 800,000-square-foot, upscale mall. Work would also begin on parking and a hotel before the developers move onto a performing arts venue and television station, the industrial museum and apartments.

Perrucci said $60 million is in place for the state to simultaneously widen Route 412 from Interstate 78 to the Minsi Trail Bridge. The slots parlor is planned just east of the southern end of the bridge, with the rest of the development continuing west to the Fahy Bridge in the former Bethlehem Works land.

Perrucci met with the 20 or so small-business owners to get their support before the Sept. 19 hearing. He pledged discounted rates on space in a market planned for the development's western edge.

"If people in this room feel that somehow we're going to adversely affect you, I'd love to sit down with you one-on-one to figure out how that doesn t happen, he told the group. Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at kbresswein@express-times.com.




Buildings focus of Steel land hearing Developers to identify structures marked for preservation at Sept. 19 meeting. Friday, September 09, 2005 By KURT BRESSWEIN The Express-Times BETHLEHEM -- BethWorks Now plans to make clear what slots mean for former Bethlehem Steel structures before city council's Sept. 19 public hearing on a proposal to ban gambling on the land. Michael Perrucci, a principal in the development team that owns the land, said Thursday that between now and the hearing, the developers will identify the steel structures that are to be preserved, roll out definitive job creation estimates and present the proposed slots parlor design. "It's not going to be glitz," he promised a group of South Side business owners during a breakfast meeting. "It's going to look like a refurbished steel mill." Perrucci reiterated that without slots, the developers cannot afford to preserve the structures cherished by many Bethlehem residents for the jobs they meant and their contributions to building the nation. Mike Kohn, owner of Patti's Petals Inc. flower shop on East Third Street, implored his fellow small-business owners to voice their support for the project at the council hearing. "This project is a no-brainer," said John Saraceno, owner of the Saraceno Design graphic arts firm on Third Street. "There's not enough money in the city of Bethlehem to fix that site up." The meeting also drew detractors, or at least those still on the fence about slots in Bethlehem. Perrucci reminded the crowd that the morality question ended last year in Harrisburg, when legislators and Gov. Ed Rendell approved 14 slots licenses. One is destined for the Lehigh Valley, many believe. Inger Olsen, owner of the Comfort & Joy shop on Third Street, accused organizers of Thursday's meeting of pandering to supporters and not inviting opponents. BethWorks Now representative Rob DeBeer said fliers were distributed throughout South Side businesses with "no rhyme or reason." The fliers contained an error, indicating the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce supports the redevelopment plan. BethWorks Now was thinking of its supporter, the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, and not the chamber, which is undecided on the plan, Perrucci said. Olsen said she, too, is undecided on whether to back BethWorks Now because of the gambling component. "I want the buildings to be preserved," she said. "I want to see something good. I'm just not sure if this is the way to do it." Her sister and co-worker, Randi Olsen-Pavlick, said she wonders if the Smithsonian Institution will maintain its affiliation with the National Museum of Industrial History, planned for Third Street within the redevelopment, if it is surrounded by a development built on gambling. Lucy Lennon, a vocal slots opponent who owns the Dancing Fish sushi restaurant on Third Street, said she would prefer the property be developed slowly over time instead of relying on the gambling money. Perrucci said work would begin on the slots parlor, to be owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corp., immediately following the issuance of one of the licenses. He said he anticipates applying for the license in November. "We're led to believe that by May or June we may be issued a license," Perrucci said. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which controls the licenses, has not identified when applications can be filed or would be awarded for the standalone slots licenses sought by Las Vegas Sands, owner of the Venetian in Las Vegas and other facilities. The slots parlor could be built in 14 months, Perrucci said. Construction would begin within months of the license issuance on an 800,000-square-foot, upscale mall. Work would also begin on parking and a hotel before the developers move onto a performing arts venue and television station, the industrial museum and apartments. Perrucci said $60 million is in place for the state to simultaneously widen Route 412 from Interstate 78 to the Minsi Trail Bridge. The slots parlor is planned just east of the southern end of the bridge, with the rest of the development continuing west to the Fahy Bridge in the former Bethlehem Works land. Perrucci met with the 20 or so small-business owners to get their support before the Sept. 19 hearing. He pledged discounted rates on space in a market planned for the development's western edge. "If people in this room feel that somehow we're going to adversely affect you, I'd love to sit down with you one-on-one to figure out how that doesn t happen, he told the group. Reporter Kurt Bresswein can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at kbresswein@express-times.com. © 2005 The Express Times © 2005 PennLive.com All Rights Reserved.