Main street improvements will soon be underway after Bethlehem City Council approved a bid for repairs.

Council approved the award of the Main Street Streetscape Project to Greenscape Landscape Contractors, Inc. of Glenside March 3. The $498,689 project includes replacing sidewalks on Main Street between Broad and Church streets, removal/ replacement of lox street trees, and installation of underground electrical conduits for street lights, Christmas lighting, speaker cables and festival/special event service locations.

Greenscape Landscape Contractors, Inc. was the lowest qualified bidder of three total bids received ranging from $498,689 to $893,474 .

Council also approved ordinances on weapons in public parks.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Dr. Fritz Walker of Allentown, representing Ceasefire PA, told council members not to react to recent comments by gun rights activists promising legal action if the council does not bring ordinances in compliance with state law Act 192, which prohibits cities from regulating firearms. "Commonsense firearms regulations are important to protect citizens. I urge council to pass the revision," Walker said.

Frank Baran of West Spruce Street urged council members to take "common sense approach" with regard to the ordinances. He urged city officials to file a friend of court brief in support of other cities that are now in litigation against Act. 192. "It is important to make a statement," Baran said.

Council member Bryan Callahan said he appreciated email requests from residents indicating any problems that need to be addressed.

Dana Grubb of Bethlehem told council members "there are a lot of streets that need attention after these last two winters."

In other business, council members approved a financing plan that would cut $111,400 from interest payments (see related story) and the city's economic development zone (see related story).