Investing in the South Side of Bethlehem. (Pittsburgh, Erie: cul-de-sac, middle-class)

[JayJay]

I'll be retiring in a year and a half and would like to move to Bethlehem. While visiting the South Side of Bethlehem and also doing research on the internet, I've noticed that the South Side is going through a revitalization. I'm looking to invest in some real estate in the area. I really like the feel of the neighborhood. I have two cousins that currently live in Bethlehem. One lives in the North Side and one lives in the South Side. They are both very happy. Besides the casinos, does anyone know what other development plans are in store for the South Side? Condominiums, Townhomes, Condos, Businesses, etc. What are the pros and cons, if any, with the devlopment plans? Can there be such a thing as overdevelopment in the South Side?

[ScranBarre]

I won't be of much help, but my uncle and his partner used to live for a number of years in South Side, and they both loved it. They relocated to Fountain Hill for a bit more "elbow room", and now they're relocating to Washington, DC for a career change. I too loved the "feel" of South Side Bethlehem, as well as the North Side area around the Moravian Bookstore. The town feels very "homey" to me. As I said, I'm not of much help; I was just hoping to help validate your decision to move to the "Christmas City."

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

I won't be of much help, but my uncle and his partner used to live for a number of years in South Side, and they both loved it. They relocated to Fountain Hill for a bit more "elbow room", and now they're relocating to Washington, DC for a career change. I too loved the "feel" of South Side Bethlehem, as well as the North Side area around the Moravian Bookstore. The town feels very "homey" to me. As I said, I'm not of much help; I was just hoping to help validate your decision to move to the "Christmas City."

I've noticed that in numerous quotes which you have posted, you've have nothing but good things to say about Bethlehem, especially the South Side.
I toally agree with you. There have been quite a few negative comments said about the South Side in this forum. But I've seen worse neighborhoods and towns. Go figure.

[mwr6348]

JayJay,

I'm living in South Side right now in one of the new developments. I love it!
Almost everything you need is within walking distance, and you're a walk across the Fahy Bridge to Musikfest and CelticFest. The area has a lot of projects going on for new construction and theres also a good handful of people flipping homes which is great for increasing overall area values.

The new projects that come to mind of the top of my head are:

1. Cherokee Court ( To be built)
2. Gateway Villas ( In construction- some complete, really great project backing up onto the future Greenway.)
3. Riverport
4. Old Steel offices to get the condo treatment ( Timeframe unknown)
5. One set of luxury twins on Wyandotte St. ( Think 300K per side)
6. 6th Street ( A lot of money was spent on site prep- no idea whats going to be built)


I think thats fairly comprehensive, but I'm sure there are going to be more and more developers coming out of the woodwork to ride the BethWorks bandwagon.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by mwr6348

JayJay,

I'm living in South Side right now in one of the new developments. I love it!
Almost everything you need is within walking distance, and you're a walk across the Fahy Bridge to Musikfest and CelticFest. The area has a lot of projects going on for new construction and theres also a good handful of people flipping homes which is great for increasing overall area values.

The new projects that come to mind of the top of my head are:

1. Cherokee Court ( To be built)
2. Gateway Villas ( In construction- some complete, really great project backing up onto the future Greenway.)
3. Riverport
4. Old Steel offices to get the condo treatment ( Timeframe unknown)
5. One set of luxury twins on Wyandotte St. ( Think 300K per side)
6. 6th Street ( A lot of money was spent on site prep- no idea whats going to be built)


I think thats fairly comprehensive, but I'm sure there are going to be more and more developers coming out of the woodwork to ride the BethWorks bandwagon.

I need more people like you and JayJay up here in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to help me out! It seems like the three of us are the only ones who live in PA that are interested in anything other than a bland new McMansion on some far-flung cul-de-sac that's been named after the trees which it displaced. I see nothing but potential in restoring our state's urban cores, but so few others see any reason to "take the plunge" and move "in-town" (They'd rather whine about how bad traffic congestion is getting on their workday commutes into town from suburbia along I-78 or Route 22 in the Lehigh Valley or along I-81 in my neck of the woods instead of moving CLOSER to town to help be part of the solution). As for me, I've had ENOUGH of this cul-de-sac and strip-mall wasteland that my family has lived in since 1996, and I'm ready to spread my wings as an upcoming college graduate who craves the opportunity to live in the heart of Scranton, amid the newer night clubs, restaurants, boutiques, galleries, etc. that have started to spring up in the past few years. Our suburbs continue to grow like wildfire here in NEPA, and our urban cores continue to empty out faster than my bowels after eating tainted spciy Mexican food! What's the end result? Urban decay, increasing traffic congestion, and the continued separation of upper-middle-class white people in the suburbs vs. the poorer "working-class", many of whom are minorities, in the city cores. This isn't unique to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; it's occurred in virtually EVERY city in PA, from Philly to Pittsburgh to Erie, and it's something that needs to be reversed at some point.

I applaud both of you for being such wonderfully progressive urban pioneers; I just wish my area had more people like you and less of the "I need a McMansion on a cul-de-sac and a luxury SUV to keep up with the Jones's" types. Bravo to you both for being willing to at least "take a chance" on in-town living again when nobody else will.

[mwr6348]

SWB,

Thanks & well put. Our local urban cores have incredible history and architecture to them that seems to go to ruin with each passing day...I'm happy to report that Bethlehem has started to deeply invest in downtown revitalization. Of course that being said, most other municipalities seem to welcome blight and open space destruction as they are too busy working out the details on the false Main Streets they are constructing( see The Summit & Field of Dreams- thank you very much Bethlehem Twp.)

Also JayJay, look up the Southside Revitalization Plan that was put together in 99-00. It outlines all of the areas that need attention and offers possible solutions. The City is big on offering grants to insure it happens- i.e. the facade changes in the Flatiron District along Wyandotte and the parking garage at Riverport ( well that was state money..but still). You can find it on the City's website, or PM me and I'll email you the .PDF

[jdhall1]

Does anyone know anything about West Bethlehem? I have a good friend that is looking to buy an craftstman house in that neighborhood. Would it be a good place for a young couple?

[mwr6348]

Jdhall1,

It's probably a great place for them to start depending on what they are looking for. The values in West Bethelehem are lower than downtown, but have great potential to rise. If they end up in the section closest to downtown, they will be within walking distance of great restaurants and the festivals. If they are further west they will be in proximity to the Rose Garden. Depending if commuting is an issue, whereever they are in West Bethlehem they will have easy access to 378. You may want to pass this link along: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-...,5430247.story

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by mwr6348

JayJay,

I'm living in South Side right now in one of the new developments. I love it!
Almost everything you need is within walking distance, and you're a walk across the Fahy Bridge to Musikfest and CelticFest. The area has a lot of projects going on for new construction and theres also a good handful of people flipping homes which is great for increasing overall area values.

The new projects that come to mind of the top of my head are:

1. Cherokee Court ( To be built)
2. Gateway Villas ( In construction- some complete, really great project backing up onto the future Greenway.)
3. Riverport
4. Old Steel offices to get the condo treatment ( Timeframe unknown)
5. One set of luxury twins on Wyandotte St. ( Think 300K per side)
6. 6th Street ( A lot of money was spent on site prep- no idea whats going to be built)


I think thats fairly comprehensive, but I'm sure there are going to be more and more developers coming out of the woodwork to ride the BethWorks bandwagon.

That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for! I really like the neighborhood. I noticed it has some diversity which is a plus to me. My only concern is what ripple effect the new revitalization will have on the minority community, specifically the Hispanics, as they are the largest group in Bethlehem.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by mwr6348

SWB,

Thanks & well put. Our local urban cores have incredible history and architecture to them that seems to go to ruin with each passing day...I'm happy to report that Bethlehem has started to deeply invest in downtown revitalization. Of course that being said, most other municipalities seem to welcome blight and open space destruction as they are too busy working out the details on the false Main Streets they are constructing( see The Summit & Field of Dreams- thank you very much Bethlehem Twp.)

Also JayJay, look up the Southside Revitalization Plan that was put together in 99-00. It outlines all of the areas that need attention and offers possible solutions. The City is big on offering grants to insure it happens- i.e. the facade changes in the Flatiron District along Wyandotte and the parking garage at Riverport ( well that was state money..but still). You can find it on the City's website, or PM me and I'll email you the .PDF

Are you referring to the South Side Bethlehem Plan? I just retrieved this revitalization plan using a search engine. Good information.