On May 23 Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez was joined by other local elected officials, members of the Bethlehem community, skateboarders and community partners to announce the next phase of improvements at the Bethlehem skateplaza during a ceremonial groundbreaking. The $370,000 project will add restrooms, a concession stand, benches, tables, landscaping and decorative paving in the open area just east of the skateplaza almost directly across from the Sands Casino.

"This is a major recreational facility for the city," said Donchez, who thanked and recognized a number of the community partners involved in the planning and funding of the project, including CADCB, M & T Bank, Lehigh Valley Hospital, the Laros Foundation, Northampton County, Just Born and PPL.

Local skateboard enthusiast and skate shop owner Andy Po was one of several speakers, Po thanked city officials for not turning away any of the proponents for development of the skateplaza and working with them to "create a place for the youth of Bethlehem."

Donchez also touched on future plans for the eastern gateway neighborhood which include additional pedestrian safety measures along Route 412, traffic calming designs for East Fourth Street, signage and a new Lynn Avenue bridge.

Planning director Darlene Heller said money from Northampton County open space funding, a $30,000 Laros Foundation grant, and city bond and recreation impact fees would be used to complete this phase. Heller could not provide a timeline for any of the other work or the completion of the Greenway to Saucon Park.