The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission reviewed three proposals that replace existing buildings with new construction at the Sept. 16 meeting held in the Rotunda.

The two vacant commercial buildings at 14-18 W. Third St. had been approved for demolition by City Council around 2021, overruling Bethlehem HCC’s recommendation for preservation. At the time, there was a proposal to construct an 8-story apartment building spanning the five parcels from 14-36 W. Third St.

The residential building design was later approved but never built.

Representing new owners, Anthony B. Seitz and JJ Fives of High Associates, along with architect Francis Fox and attorney Thomas Schlegel, sought feedback from the commissioners on their design proposal for a Tempo by Hilton hotel for the site.

The revised plans for the 96-foot-tall building include a restaurant and bar at ground level, a rooftop bar, as well as an expanded fitness center. There would be 141 guest rooms and structural canopy at the lobby entrance.

“We’re pleased to be able to work with this organization, and I think it’s really key that we have the opportunity for another hotel on the South Side,” remarked Bethlehem Planning and Zoning Director Darlene Heller during public comment.

The triangular-shaped site, owned by Patriot Ventures, LLC/High Hotels, LTD is located between the 6-story Gateway at Greenway Park and Comfort Suites with an undeveloped section of the South Bethlehem Greenway behind it.

No action was taken for this agenda item. The applicants welcomed advice from the board that would help the project adhere to historic district guidelines for new construction.

Having his proposal tabled at a previous session, developer Nicholas Youssef, his dad and co-owner Victor Youssef were granted a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of the deteriorated existing single-family dwelling and garage at 330 E. Fourth St.

Assisted by architect Mark Ortwein and engineer Joseph Rentko, Youssef provided photographs and documentation that indicated the buildings on the property cannot be saved without undue financial hardship.

According to historic officer Jeffrey Long, the brick and masonry Classical Revival residence was built circa 1890 and the wooden porch was replaced in the 1920s with a partially enclosed Spanish Revival style masonry porch and clay tile roof.

The applicants were told to go back to the drawing board and redesign the proposed 3-story mixed-use structure to align with the other residential buildings in that block of Fourth Street.

The developers were advised that the City of Bethlehem will not issue an approved permit to demolish the existing dwelling and detached garage until all planning applications have been successfully reviewed

and approved.

Representing the Diocese of Allentown, architects Salvatore Verrastro and Christopher Worton failed in their attempt to score a COA to raze a single-family dwelling at 1304 Spring St. and replace it with a 4-unit residential building.

The proposal was tabled for a second time with the permission of the applicants. The commissioners were not convinced that all options had been explored with regard to incorporating the existing building into something larger that would house more residents.

The applicants again tried to convince the commissioners that the Eugene Grace estate’s former head gardener’s residence wasn’t worth repairing and should be torn down to allow for the new construction of additional senior housing. Once home to Bethlehem Steel’s president, the large West Bethlehem property is now Holy Family Senior Living.

Verrastro insisted the house was “noncontributing” as it did not appear on a list of “historic” properties within the district he provided.

“Is the worker as important as the executive?” asked Vice Chair Craig Evans in regards to the history behind the preserved Grace mansion and the humble gardener’s abode.

Previously Long advised against razing the house as it is considered architecturally “contributing” to the history of the neighborhood. Nearby residents agreed with the historic officer as they argued for preserving it during public comment at that time.

It was suggested that new construction be done as an addition or built somewhere else on this large estate in the Mount Airy district. The applicants also need to show that restoring the structure that had been neglected for so long would be a financial hardship for the Diocese of Allentown.

Voting was unanimous.

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.

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.