It is my understanding that the three merging churches on the Southside will be voting on a merger tomorrow (i.e., Sunday), the terms of which include the sale of properties, including the large lot across the street from St John's Windish Church, situated in a high-profile spot in the middle of the Southside.
Photo Credit: Susan L. Vitez
For some background, here is my letter to the editor published today by The Morning Call. To wit:
In 2002, Community Action hired a renowned community planning consultant on a comprehensive plan to strengthen the Southside, the centerpiece of which called for turning the parking lot then owned by Bethlehem Steel across the street from St. John’s Windish into a European-style plaza. It was big enough to accommodate the parking needs of the church and the nearby businesses while also including a decent amount of much-needed green space. It would be a community-building site, with play spaces, dog-walking, the weekly farmers' market and festivals.
The church wanted it and our partnership of City, corporate, and neighborhood folks wanted it. Bethlehem Steel offered to give us favored status. The City’s redevelopment authority didn’t want to offend the church and felt like it could accommodate, so we deferred and the church got the property. Don Cunningham was mayor and led the discussion for the partnership. The church would have none of it. They made a ton of demands. Our side accepted those demands. The church rejected it anyway.
Then Jim DelGrosso became mayor and he tried. Nope. Then John Callahan became mayor. All demands were met. Still, we were rejected.
There that lot sits today, looking like a tired parking lot. If I were the City, I’d play hardball, too.
So, this congregation has a history. They wouldn't even allow community meetings in their church. Some of us were convinced that the entirely white congregation didn't like the folks who lived all around them.
Fast forward. Eerily similar situation. This time they are ignoring the people around them by apparently planning to sell the property to Lehigh University.
Now, most of you know that I've dealt with all kinds of folks in power with money. I have dealt with the school for many years on countless issues. Lehigh doesn't play nice in the sandbox. They meet with the city but are minimally forthright, keeping their cards very close. They have a person who does "community relations" who is allegedly assigned to work with us when I was at CACLV who never even made eye contact with me. I rarely heard her utter a word at any number of meetings.
There are rumors that a shelter was being planned for the church. That was news to me. But I would oppose a shelter on that site.
The city wants to put housing on the lot. Great idea! there is a consensus in the LV that we need more housing for people with incomes under $60,000 per year. I applaud Mayor Reynolds for the commitment.
So, Lehigh and the church snub the City and the residents of the Southside, out-maneuver the City on acquiring the property, and tell the City nothing about its plans.
I picture their middle finger directed at those with the most to win or lose in this affair. They aren't at the table; they're on the menu.
And folks wonder why there is so little trust in our world.