Bethlehem planners: lot next to rundown ex-Goodman store also blighted
“The Bethlehem Planning Commission, which had declared the former Goodman Furniture blighted this spring, now wants to declare the gravel lot next it blighted.
Planners on Thursday agreed that the 3,774-square-foot property, now fenced off, is a nuisance. The property, vacant for more than three decades, has been cited repeatedly for overgrown weeds and litter. Over the years, the property has racked up enough tax delinquencies and other judgments that the liens are worth more than it is worth, city officials said.
The lot at 32 E. Third St. sits at the corner of a downtown block flush with historic storefronts that are filled by businesses including Fox Optical & Gallery, Cleo’s Silversmith Studio & Gallery and Color Me Mine.
“It’s a parcel on the primary block of our South Side downtown. It’s very visible, and we need to continue to go back to get that property cleaned up and maintained in a basic way,” city Planning Director Darlene Heller said. “It’s also not utilized for any purpose. It’s not paved. It’s not striped. It’s not a parking lot. It has no use.””
Radzievich, Nicole. The Morning Call 13 October 2016.