By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

A state DCNR grant for the Grange Park Loop Trail construction was discussed during the Upper Macungie supervisors’ March 7 meeting.

The township applied for a matching grant of $250,000 to cover part of the construction cost, which is estimated to be between $700,000-$800,000.

The grant will cover phase one of the project, which will loop from the parking lot or sports fields to the community center.

The second phase will connect the trail to the road.

The township is also looking into a DCNR grant for phase two of the project.

In other matters, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong spoke at the start of the board meeting.

Armstrong said he makes annual visits to the municipalities and answers any questions asked.

He told the board the 911 Center now has FaceTime capability.

Armstrong explained he had attended a conference and was talking about FaceTiming his granddaughter every day in Colorado.

He thought that could be done with 911.

Armstrong said the ability to FaceTime doesn’t cost the county any money.

“We will text you,” he said. “You need to say yes, and if you say yes, we can go through your phone and see exactly what you’re doing,” Armstrong stated.

“Technology is great. It really is and we’re trying to bring it into the county.”

Armstrong acknowledged Lehigh Valley has a housing shortage and eviction problem.

He mentioned past efforts, including rent assistance programs.

The county is looking to hire an expert to study the shortage and to develop a long-term plan.

Affordable senior housing is being explored with developers, Armstrong explained.

Funding for a study to identify areas with the most severe housing shortages and demographics of those affected, is also be examined.

The average home price of $360,000 in the Lehigh Valley is highlighted as a contributing factor to the affordability crisis.

Board Vice Chairman Sunny Ghai asked Armstrong about revitalizing some cities and creating more of a town center and working together.

The Main Street Program is a new program being proposed to provide grants to revitalize downtowns in communities throughout Lehigh County, Armstrong explained.

In addition, a distinguished service award for Michael McCrystal, who was not in attendance, was displayed.

He was a member of the zoning hearing board from 2003 until 2023.

McCrystal began his 20-year commitment to public service as an alternative member of the Upper Macungie Township Zoning Hearing Board in 2003.

He became a full member of the board in February 2004, and was appointed chairman of the board, serving until December 2023.