Moravian College is currently in the middle of building a $23 million Health Sciences building at its Main Street campus. It’s a 55,000 square-foot three-story facility named after alumna Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz, and should be finished by July. But Mark Reed, vice president for finance and administration at the college, was before Bethlehem’s Zoning Hearing Board May 31 to discuss a 2,500-square-foot restaurant also planned at the site.

Though the restaurant itself is permitted, Moravian needed permission for an exterior entrance facing onto Main Street.

Reed said that there’s a need for a restaurant because the college enrollment is growing. Its current population is 1,750, but Reed expects it will reach 2,000 soon.

The restaurant has a 90-person capacity and will supplement an existing restaurant at the Haupert Union Building, located a block away. There will be no smoking and no alcoholic beverages. The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., but only during the normal school year.

Though the general public can be served there, there will be no signs advertising it. He expects it will be used only by students and faculty. There will be no grill, and it will be a light fare consisting of soup, salads, sandwiches and coffee.

“In other words, you’re talking about health food?” queried Chair Gus Loupos. Reed said more or less, and Loupos responded, “You don’t have to worry about me coming.”

Neighbors expressed some concern, but it was mostly about the ongoing construction, which starts early each morning.

“Let’s make as much noise and dirt as possible, starting at 5:30 am,” complained neighbor Joe Golden. But he had no objection with the exterior door.

“I’m OK with the door. You have my blessing on the door,” he said.

The Zoning Hearing Board gave its blessing, too. Unanimously, the application for an exterior door was approved.