BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Two days before Musikfest kicks off, Bethlehem will open a new 731-space parking garage in South Bethlehem.
The Polk Street Garage is just off East Third Street and will be operated by the Bethlehem Parking Authority.
- The Bethlehem Parking Authority is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Polk Street Garage
- The public is invited to attend at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 413 E. Third St.
- The authority is taking requests for monthly parking access at the new facility
"We're excited to open the Polk Street Garage and continue to contribute to the thriving economic development on the South Side, providing residents, businesses and visitors with another crucial parking solution to fuel progress and accessibility," BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said.
"The Polk Street Garage is a project many years in the making that we are so thrilled to see opening this summer," Laura Collins, city director of community and economic development, said. "With the support of numerous public partners, the city of Bethlehem is getting a critical piece of infrastructure that will continue to drive revitalization and strengthen the vibrant Southside downtown."
The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the garage's entrance at 413 E. Third St.
The authority says folks can get a firsthand look at the garage’s features and amenities, including parking management systems, real-time occupancy monitoring, contactless payment options, energy-efficient lighting, EV charging stations and bicycle parking.
"We're excited to open the Polk Street garage and continue to contribute to the thriving economic development on the South Side, providing residents, businesses and visitors with another crucial parking solution to fuel progess and accessibility."
Steven Fernstrom, Bethlehem Parking Authority executive director
Officials say the garage will provide “ample capacity,” a prominent location among South Side businesses and a “seamless experience” for parking.
As for the open space on the Third Street side of the garage, Fernstrom mentioned something will be coming at some point to fill that area.
"We're working on finalizing the agreement of sale with the developer, and their plans are to have a mixed use building on that site," Fernstrom said.
ArtsQuest and the SteelStacks campus, the National Museum of Industrial History and numerous restaurants and businesses are nearby.
The parking authority is also taking requests for monthly parking permits for the new garage. Those are listed on the Bethlehem Parking Authority website and cost $70 per month.