Months ago it was a thundering echo chamber that rattled windows and shuddered floors through nearby East Third Street buildings.

But today the giant hole that represents a literally unfulfilled future for the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts is a silent soggy pit.

But it's not a pit of despair, said Charter Arts Executive Director Dianne LaBelle in a phone interview Friday. The lack of movement in the $26 million project is a result of one of the most severe winters in memory. She said the project broke ground a year ago and is still on schedule despite the delay. "It was a challenging winter. When we looked at the calendar at the end of February we had on 15 full days of school and it didn't stop until March."

LaBelle said that following the numerous record snows a soil test in April necessitated a redesign of the foundation. The pre-cast concrete that will be used for effective sound transmission, a requirement for the constant music practices and frequent performances foreseen, will make for a heavy building.

LaBelle said construction should recommence later this month. Sections of the building will likely be available for performances by this time next year and the new school will be ready for the 2015 school year.

The new 87,000-square-foot building was designed by Southside group Artefact, Inc. and built by Bethlehem-based Bucks Development. It will provide educational space for 650 students, and will include a 350-seat theater, a 200-seat performance hall, a rooftop venue, art galleries, laboratories, a library and recording studio.