The Bethlehem Armory, built in 1930 for the Army National Guard, languished dilapidated and nearly unused for many years, but the property is finally once again in use.

The Armory Apartments, a brand new 70-unit structure built on the old vacant lot behind the Armory proper, was an effort six years in the making. Officials at the grand opening Feb. 7 lauded the public/private partnership that developed the project as emblematic of those that have helped remold Bethlehem after its steelmaking heyday.

Laundry, lounge, fitness center, game room and a dog wash are all included, and some units have one heck of a view. Twenty of these apartments are already spoken for as party of an agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital and Temple Medical School to rent the units for temporary students and staff.

Mayor William Reynolds, reaping the benefit of this win after only two months in office, promoted the work of those involved while extolling the city in general for its continued recovery. “Projects like this don’t happen overnight. A lot of cities don’t have these moments. They happen because of people in Bethlehem who believe we can do something a little bit different. The only way Bethlehem survives and thrives is by bringing new people in.”