BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

The Allentown School Board has unanimously approved the design of a new $100 million school on 16.7 acres on the former Allentown State Hospital property.

The school will serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Press reached out to Jeff Vaughan, president, Vaughan Communication Group, who represents City Center Investment Corporation, for comment after the school board’s Nov. 21 decision.

Vaughan said City Center Investment Corporation purchased the property on the east side of Allentown, in an area formerly called Rittersville, in July 2023 for $5.5 million.

He said City Center Investment Group is still planning on developing the property as unveiled on Aug. 5, 2023, at the East Side Youth Center.

The proposed Northridge concept for the site will follow the investment group’s Allentown Vision 2030 Plan and is expected to include a mixed-use community of retail stores, health care services, and middle-income housing such as town houses, small cottages, and triplexes, as well as an assisted living facility.

It will also include recreation areas, and open green space.

The Press asked Vaughan if Allentown School District’s decision to build a new school on 16.7 acres of the property was a part of the original plan for Northridge.

“We always envisioned a school at Northridge and are excited to be working with the Allentown School District,” he said.