The potential $42 million Iron Works project has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years and was recently in the site preparation phrase. It may, in its present form, be scuttled by a new council, effectively placing the project in limbo.

The project has received grant money in excess of $4 million for site preparation work the borough is obligated to perform and has been praised by Lehigh Valley Planning Commission officials and others in the Lehigh Valley as an example of excellent municipal planning and development.

Viewed by some as a potential renaissance for the borough, the project was designed to make Catasauqua a destination community, not simply a borough to pass through. Iron Works would be coupled with a number of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation projects.

There was an advertised public meeting planned for June 1 to explain the project to the public and the need for additional funding for the effort. With supply chain issues and increased costs due to inflation and other factors, costs have risen for the site development firm - Dunn Twiggar.

The meeting was abruptly canceled by Catasauqua Borough Council President Brian Bartholomew the day of the meeting. Bartholomew said there was no reason for the meeting, adding no votes would be taken.

Bartholomew did not elaborate on the situation.

It was reported Dunn Twiggar sent the borough an email asking for an extension of the sales agreement that was set to lapse June 3. The extension would have afforded the borough time to seek additional funding.

Reached after hours, borough Manager Stephen Travers noted an extension was not agreed upon. This may end the project in its present form.

Councilman Paul Cmil, a consistent opponent of the project, told The Press this “effectively kills the project.” Cmil noted there are other options for the brownfield location along Front Street.

Cmil did not elaborate what the options could be.

A main driving force behind the Iron Works project was former borough President Vincent Smith and the majority of the previous council. Smith noted the project could generate more than $300,000 in tax revenues and create attractive riverfront properties.

He added the project would generate about $900,000 in annual revenue for Catasauqua Area School District.

Smith sees the project as vital for Catasauqua’s development, including an upscale housing area with shops and bike and walking paths along the banks of the Lehigh River.

He said he is unsure if the new council members fully understand the complex project, how it will impact Catasauqua and its potential tax payment benefits to the borough.

The current Catasauqua council, as of January 2022, had five members with less than two years of government experience and three members completely new to council.

Smith served as council president for 10 years.

See next week’s edition of Catasauqua Press for continuing coverage on the future of the Iron Works project and the discussion at the recent meeting of borough council.