Before tabling the City Parking Authority’s proposal to replace the existing parking garage with a taller one at the Dec. 6 regular meeting, the Historical and Architectural Review Board granted certificates of appropriateness to applicants with three other proposals. The Walnut Street Garage replacement plans sparked controversy at the four-hour long hearing.

Christine Ussler and Cassie Rogg from ArteFact successfully presented detailed plans and construction materials for a new ADA-accessible connector between the Grist Miller’s House at 459 Old York Road. and neighboring Luckenbach Mill. The brick house was built in 1782 and remodeled in 1832 and the mill dates to 1869.

The proposed glass-walled connector linking the two historic structures will provide a walkway and event space with a more direct, accessible entry to the Miller’s House upper basement level. Featuring a minimalist modern aesthetic to differentiate it from the historic complex, the new construction will provide an overlook of the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

A COA was granted for the restoration phase of the Miller’s House in August 2023.

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites owns and oversees the historic properties.

Representing 61 W. Lehigh St., Tim Nase of Unity Exteriors received approval for repairing, replacing and painting all trim, fascia and corbel/braces and replacing an existing Yankee gutter system and metal roofing with an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) system. The building is home to The Wooden Match.

The circa 1868 former Central New Jersey Railroad depot is owned by Vince Randazzo.

Bryan Ritter from JENA Engineering secured a COA for replacing one double hung, truly divided 6 over 6 wood window with a custom double hung simulated divided 6 over 6 wood window for his client at 29 E. Market St. It is to be painted to match existing windows on the 2.5 story stuccoed house owned by David Rothrock.

Voting on approved COAs was unanimous.

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding. Meetings can be viewed on YouTube.