The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness for ArtsQuest’s revised top floor canopy design at the Dec. 19 meeting held in the Rotunda.

Returning to represent the Banana Factory Arts Center at 25 W. Third St., ArtsQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert and architect Todd Chambers from MKSD scored final approval for the canopy to be erected over an open deck on the five-story main building facing W. Third Street. The resubmitted canopy design is two feet shorter in height than the previous one. The overall height of the main building was reduced from 80 feet to 78 feet.

Vice Chairman Craig Evans questioned the ArtsQuest applicants about lighting for the top deck and canopy. “This is not a shining orb that we want at night,” responded Hilgert, “It’s more for safety, as it’s down lit.”

The applicants indicated they would return at a later time with lighting proposals.

The new construction also includes a one-story section facing Northampton Street, along with a plaza and parking lot at the back of the property.

Voting was four to one, with Chairman Gary Lader as the dissenting vote. “I’m kind of stuck on how we make this fit with our design guidelines,” he explained.

“I like the project,” said Roger Hudak. “I think it will be a plus for the Southside.”

ArtsQuest’s previous proposal to raze the entire Banana Factory complex and replace it with a new five-story, renamed SouthSide Cultural Center had been denied in July. A majority of the directors had considered a few of the existing buildings as “contributing.” They were later overruled by City Council to allow the demolition.

The Bethlehem HCC is charged with the task of determining if new signs or other alterations to a building’s exterior would be an appropriate fit for the neighborhood in one of three designated historic districts. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Obtaining a certificate of appropriateness is only a first step for business owners and residents in a designated historic district who wish to make alterations to a building’s exterior. The commission’s recommendations are later reviewed, and then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.