Rotary Club of Allentown West member Jerry Frank introduced the Business Person of the Year during the service group's Nov. 20 meeting.

Chosen was J.B. Reilly, who has taken a lead in redeveloping downtown Allentown.

"I've known him since he was a teenager and had to dig into deep resources to find something good," Frank said, with tongue in cheek. "He is understated and talks about the future."

Born 1961 in Scranton, John Bernard Reilly III moved to Salisbury Township with his family in 1971.

His first business was mowing lawns at age 12, Frank said. Five years later, he made a risky investment and lost the money.

He attended Lafayette University, Fordham Law School, became a CPA and joined the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Reilly spent 30 years in the real estate business beginning Landmark community apartments.

He is on the board of the Lehigh Valley Health Network and a trustee at Lafayette and the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown.

Reilly is president of City Center Investment Corporation and is "the guy that saw a vision," Frank said.

The Arena Complex at Seventh and Hamilton is the beginning of an amazing transformation, Frank said.

There will be an office for Lehigh Valley Sports Medicine, a Marriott Renaissance Hotel, an 11-story office building for National Penn Bank, restoration of five buildings for retail, and another office building is on the books.

"That is your business person of the year," Frank said.

Reilly was presented with a plaque by Rotary Club of Allentown West Rotary President Halyna Stegura and one from Ellen Kern, from the office of state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th.

Frank told a story of a group that had gathered in Harrisburg. They were asked what they would do if an immense tidal wave were expected.

Several said they would party, but Reilly said he would learn to live underwater.

"He makes something happen," Frank said in closing.

Reilly then addressed the gathering.

"This is a real honor coming from committed members of the community," Reilly said.

Reilly, who founded City Center Lehigh Valley to focus on downtown Allentown, said he wants the city to be a vibrant community as it once had been.

"What's happening is one of the largest renovation projects in the country," he said. "We need places for people to live, work and play.

"We need major employers to come back downtown and reverse the migration out of the city. The Health Network office and North Penn Bank are expected to provide 2,000 jobs. Residential housing is being renovated."

Eighty-eight percent of people ages 18-30 want to live in an urban center but there are no attractions to keep young people in the Lehigh Valley. Employers need an educated, innovative population, Reilly said.

The arena, which will seat 8,500 for hockey and 11,000 for concerts, will help commerce and will be known as the nicest small-market arena in the country, Reilly said, adding the arena will help bring some 4 million visitors a year to the area.

City Center is focusing on the area around Seventh and Hamilton streets.

He said having a luxury hotel, such as the Renaissance brand, come to a small city, such as Allentown, is exceptional.

The bank building is fully leased. Another office building will replace the Colonial Movie Theater.

"I am confident we will have other companies looking at Allentown," Reilly said. "A dozen properties are being restored to their historic character.

"The ground floor will be for retail and restaurants and upper floors will be offices. There will be a park next to Zion Church."

A ballroom will overlook Center Square providing a premier meeting space. The Art Walk is being extended to the arena and the Arts Park in the area of the Museum, Baum School and Symphony Hall is being improved. Public spaces are being connected.

There will be 3,000 parking spaces within one block of the arena and 1,500 more in the second block.

Approximately $500 million is invested in the project and $500 million is in the planning stages.

In other business, Barbara Kistler asked for enough donations to buy one Shelter Box.

She had $800 and needed $900. Several donations were immediately pledged.

The Snack Pack program needs sponsors.

Food is sent home twice a month with kids who may not have enough to eat over the weekend.

Presently, 40 children are involved at Northwestern Lehigh School District and it is expected that number will be reached at Parkland.

The New Tripoli Bank has donated $2,000 to the project.

The Christ's Church at Lowhill Food Pantry needs socks, hats, scarves and gloves for its Blessings Room.