First Presbyterian Church has enlisted a Florida commercial real estate broker to find a suitable redevelopment partner for nearly 32 unused acres on its campus in north Bethlehem.
In a news release, the Center Street congregation said it is “embarking on a new chapter in its legacy of stewardship,” by offering the land for redevelopment.
First Presbyterian is using as its contact for offers, with the church entering a “discernment process to considers proposals that align with its mission and values.”
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, First Presbyterian associate pastor, said a key mission among the congregation remains building affordable housing. Members began planning for such housing several years ago, but the process was put on hold last summer with the departure of its previous pastor, the Rev. J.C. Austin.
“The church will receive and evaluate all offers and concepts,” she said, “but we continue to have a clear commitment to housing justice and want to encourage development partners from the affordable housing sector to submit offers.”
Clifton also said while church leaders hope to receive offers reflective of its housing plan proposed last year, they are also open to a “broad range of possibilities” to achieve equity and housing access. Examples might include affordable senior housing, supportive housing for adults with intellectual disabilities or young adults aging out of foster care, or low-income first-time homebuyer opportunities.
First Presbyterian’s plan for housing last year was developing 200 units with about 500 parking spaces and 50% of the remaining area kept as open space. At that time, officials also estimated the project would take several years or more to come to fruition, with the congregation needing city approval and also a nonprofit partner.
Leaders at churches, mosques and synagogues locally and nationwide have been exploring ways to provide much-needed housing on their property. But First Presbyterian’s plan has drawn opposition.
The group Bethlehem for Unique Neighborhoods Inc., which arose from First Bethlehem’s housing plan, says on its website that changing the zoning for the church property would result in unintended consequences and negative impacts to the city. It said in a statement that the group is prepared to take “appropriate and necessary actions” to maintain and protect those neighborhoods.
“First Presbyterian, Foundry Commercial and all interested developers should be aware and take into serious consideration that Bethlehem for Unique Neighborhoods is a formally formed nonprofit organization that is financially backed and is comprised of knowledgeable and experienced individuals in real estate and law, as well as ardently supportive neighbors,” the group’s statement also said.
However, Tina Cantelmi, a neighbor who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for a Bethlehem City Council seat in last week’s primary election, said she believes Foundry is noted for senior housing projects, which could help the neighborhood.
“Many seniors are tethered to homes with high maintenance, taxes and utility bills,” Cantelmi said. “If seniors can downsize into affordable housing … then more homes for younger generations could be available. It could be a win-win situation.”
In Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton, affordable housing remains a serious issue, with a lack of undeveloped land a major barrier. It is rare that an urban plot of land becomes available for a major housing development.
First Presbyterian plans to continue to worship and operate on a portion of the campus, according to the news release. The campus includes more than 100,000 square feet of existing building space and about half of the parcel undeveloped land. A price is not listed.
During the leadership transition, Clifton said, church leaders recognized they needed “additional support and expertise.” Through the Presbyterian Foundation arm that supports local congregations, the group was led to Foundry Commercial, she said.
“They are the real estate broker who will help us find the right community-oriented partners for the building and developers for the land,” Clifton said.
Those interested in submitting offers or learning more about the property should contact either Carlin Beekman, vice president of Foundry Commercial’s Mission Property Group, at carlin.beekman@foundrycommercial.com or 407-540-7789, or Matt Messier, at matt.messier@foundrycommercial.com or 407-540-7718, according to the news release.
Foundry says in the release that it is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company that works with a broad array of clients, including industrial, retail and religious.
Contact Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone at asalamone@mcall.com.
This story has been updated to say First Presbyterian Church has enlisted a Florida commercial real estate broker to find a suitable redevelopment partner for its nearly 32 unused acres on its campus in north Bethlehem. The plan is to enlist offers for sale, long-term lease or a joint venture, according to a news release from Foundry Commercial.
