Members of the public urged city council members not to approve certificates of authenticity at the Jan. 19 meeting. The certificates had previously been approved by the city Historic Conservation Commission and call for the demolition of buildings at 306-310 S. New St. to make way for a new six-story mixed use building. In addition, six residential buildings and a 44-space parking lot would be demolished to construct a 626-space parking garage at 325-333 Vine St; 22 W. Graham Place and 25 Rink St.

The plan calls for a the building and parking garage on the corner of Third and New streets to be connected by a glass sky bridge on multiple levels. The building would house offices for Lehigh University and St. Luke’s Hospital, as well as space for other tenants and retail space on the ground floor.

Resident Peter Crownfield said the projects approved by the historical commission do not meet existing guidelines. He also asked if there had been a traffic study done on the potential traffic the building will bring to the area. Crownfield said to council members, “It’s stupid to have legislation that you ignore.”

Crownfield said the projects as approved show “total lack of vision of the value of preserving historic districts.”

Resident Stephen Antalics asked council members to table the certificates of authenticity until more study could be done.

Resident Kimberly Carrell-Smith cited a study by Rutgers on the value of historic preservation as an economic development tool. Preserving history is a “smart investment,” she said, but it requires planning. “You can’t simply say there is a district. You have to care for it. It keeps it alive and distinctive and appealing. Reclaim the kind of planning and good sense that used to be in Bethlehem,” Carrell-Smith told council members.

Resident Al Wurth said the pedestrian walkway would cast shade, making the area darker, and divert people from walking the neighborhood. In addition, he said, the parking garage plan “looks really unhistoric” and would be an “enormously out of scale building.” He also questioned the need for the increased parking spaces, saying it was “putting supply ahead of demand.”

Incoming Council member Olga Negron-Dipini asked whether a traffic study had been done. City Director of Community and Economic Development Alicia Karner said a study is underway and the Parking Authority had done a need analysis.

Karner also said the certificates of authenticity are only for the design and are usually done before land development begins. “To do it the other way is to put the cart before the horse,” she said. The projects will go back to planning commission for further review, or the zoning hearing board, if necessary.

Negron-Dipini said the sky-bridge is “something that concerns me. I don’t mind people walking in my neighborhood. It’s ok, you’re safe!” she said.

Council member Adam Waldron asked who would own the parking garage. Karner said the Parking Authority would own the garage and city Business Manager David Brong said the city would guarantee the financing.

Waldron said, “I have some concerns” about the need for a parking garage. Karner said, “The Parking Authority did do a demand analysis.” Waldron said, “I understand, but this is our only opportunity to vote. I don’t think council has all the information.”

Karner said, “We too share some concerns,” and said the project would be vetted by the planning commission following soil studies, possibly in March.

Council president J. William Reynolds said “there are a lot of moving parts,” and suggested a joint meeting between council and the parking authority to discuss parking needs for the next two years, and associated debt service.

“It’s a completely legitimate question,” he said. “It’s wise for us to get a presentation rather than doing this in pieces, so people can see positives and negatives.”

Mayor Robert Donchez agreed that a committee of the whole meeting with the Parking Authority would be appropriate.

Council member Bryan Callahan said, “It is important for us to have that discussion.”

Incoming council member Michael Colon asked if all the parking lots are used. Karner explained that some are leased by Lehigh University students and are “generational.”

Incoming council member Shawn Martel said local business owners are happy about the increased parking spaces.

Council member Bryan Callahan said, “They are necessities. You would have major parking problem” without them.