ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A new seven-story building that would bring commercial space and apartments to center city Allentown was given the green light by the city Zoning Hearing Board on Monday.
The mixed-use building, to be called Riverview Lofts II, would have commercial space on the first floor and 61 apartments.
It's planned to occupy 124-126 Allen St., 128 Allen St., 130-132 Allen St., 522-536 N. Railroad St., 518 ½ N. Railroad St. and 520 N. Railroad St.
- A seven-story building has been approved for the center city of Allentown
- The project is set to include 61 apartments, as well as commercial space on the first floor
- No date is set for construction yet
The developer, Manhattan Building Company, based in Jersey City, New Jersey, faced zoners' scrutiny over the number of parking spots it plans for building residents.
The minimum required by city ordinances would be 77, but the developer originally planned 70, before tweaking the plan to 72.
"The developer was able to squeeze those [parking spaces] in."
John Palumbo, lawyer for developer Manhattan Building Company
"The developer was able to squeeze those in," John Palumbo, the developer's lawyer, said in city hall.
Allentown Chief Planner Allan Salinger questioned whether the developer understood how many people use cars in the region.
"This ain't Jersey City. That's for sure," Salinger said.
After the contention, zoners approved the project, contingent on there being 72 parking spots in the final product. One factor was the availability of some on-street parking.
No date has been set for the building's construction or completion.