A once thriving apparel manufacturing company in Northampton could again become a vibrant part of the borough.

Developers have proposed making major renovations to the three-story building that once housed Tama Manufacturing and turning it into apartments.

It has been decades since there were major apparel factories in the community.

When Tama shut down in the borough, it moved its apparel operations to the Race Street Extension in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Business waned at its new site over the years.

Northampton Borough Manager Gene Zarayko reported to borough council at its Dec. 20 meeting that the developers will appear in front of the borough planning commission Jan. 9 with plans for converting the three-story white stucco structure.

The preliminary plans call for 13 apartments. At a previous appearance before the planning commission, a developer said the work in converting the building into apartments would make the community proud, that it would be a beacon on Main Street.

Tama employed as many as 370 people, mostly women. The company manufactured 140,000 pairs of pants a week.