Sporting a slightly revised name that more accurately reflects its "current scope and future expansion of programs," the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts announced plans to build a new 87,000-square-foot $27 million state of the art educational facility. The announcement was made on Bethlehem's Southside at a ceremonial groundbreaking June 7.

The new structure, which will be located on an empty lot at East Third and Polk Streets, will allow the Charter Arts High School to meet the growing demand to expand the student enrollment which has been limited by constraints at the current school location in the former Sure Fit building on East Broad Street. Current enrollment capacity is 450 students and the new school will allow it to increase to 650 students.

It's proximity to area cultural and educational resources such as Lehigh University, Northampton Community College, SteelStacks, the Banana Factory and Touchstone Theatre were noted by several speakers as a plus.

It will also save the school $100,000 in annual operating costs according to Charter Arts Executive Director Diane LaBelle.

"The new school will be large enough in size to accommodate their dreams," said LaBelle, referencing the students and parents and acknowledging their support.

Among many features, the new building will include a 350-seat Proscenium Theatre, a performing commons area that will seat 200, rooftop performance venue and science laboratory, four dance studios, 19 additional academic classrooms, digital art laboratories, 12 music practice rooms, and a recording studio.

"We are thrilled to be staying in Bethlehem and calling it our home," LaBelle said.

Construction of the new Charter Arts High School will begin this summer and it is anticipated to be open for the 2014-2015 school year. It is being funded through a variety of sources including a $3 million Pa. Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant that was championed by state senators Lisa Boscola and Pat Brown; New Markets Tax Credits; a $5 million capital fundraising campaign and a 25-year mortgage. Benefactors Anne and Bruce Lawrence are contributing $3 million toward the project with the only stipulation being that the school name keep its student focus and not be changed.

"It takes everyone working together to do anything, especially to build a new school building," LaBelle noted.

Those interested in supporting the capital fundraising campaign may do so by contacting Debra Storm at 610-868-2971 extension 154.