The stalled Catasauqua Iron Works project occupied three separate agenda items during the July 25 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting. The three agenda items listed were an Iron Works update, next steps and an appraisal of the site.

Council President Brian Bartholomew opened the meeting with a special order to deviate from the meeting agenda to allow borough Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker to update the status and options for moving the Iron Works project forward.

A resident asked Dinkelacker if the borough is starting over with the Iron Works project, to which Dinkelacker answered that it was. He was not able to provide an estimate of new costs, but he noted there will be additional costs.

Dinkelacker said there are only two options. One is to approach Lehigh County to learn if the county’s redevelopment authority would consider taking over the property. The other is to sell to the highest bidder. He delineated the pitfalls of each option.

It is unclear if the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority would become involved in the Iron Works property.

It is also unclear if there will be one developer or multiple developers. The concern is a successful bidder could purchase the property and not begin development for years.

The discussion then went to what the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection will require the borough to do regarding any cap over the 11-acre site. The department may require the borough to cap the property because of its brownfield status.

The Iron Works project drew countless comments from residents.

One resident, regarding the issues with the meeting’s audio and video, said his fundraising group will donate funds to improve those capabilities in council chamber. He commented on the lack of video and the 15-minute lapse in audio during the meeting.

Another resident asked if the borough is bankrupt. She noted a council member publicly said the borough is broke, so she wanted clarification. Dinkelacker noted the borough is not broke. He added the borough has financial challenges that would be discussed later in the meeting.

A resident asked Councilman Howard Cunningham if he approves of the Iron Works project. Cunningham said he approved but might not be interested in a mixed-use project. The resident noted Catasauqua is not attracting outside people to the community.

Councilman David Bernini pointed out there are many options for a developer to complete a mixed-use project. Dinkelacker responded the site could be divided among a number of developers to help continue the project.

A resident asked Dinkelacker if a developer could come in and ask for a use other than the 26 uses approved. Dinkelacker said that will not happen.

Another resident, a former long-term council member and president, noted Dinkelacker’s presentation was “spot on.” He said it is good to hear the project may move forward, roughly following the previous plan.

In response to Councilman Paul Cmil’s comment that businesses may not be attracted to the Iron Works project, the resident noted there are many successful businesses along Front Street.

The resident noted this was intended to be a market-driven development, and the borough is now behind. The resident said he hopes council can make up for lost time.

Another resident asked to have residents on the Iron Works committee because the committee needs varied voices. Dinkelacker noted these committees are for council members only. The resident noted it is always the same council members.

The next Catasauqua Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 29. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit catasauqua.org for the call-in numbers and access codes.

The Aug. 1 workshop meeting has been canceled.