Chairman Roger Hudak began the Mayor’s South Side Task Force meeting May 23 with the disappointing news of the negotiations falling through for the sale of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem to MGM. Resident Stephan Antalics asked, “Is what happened in the long term good or bad for the city?” Hudak replied that while negotiations were going on, development of the real estate was put on hold, which endangered the historic buildings on the property. He asaid Sands has kept the promises made when it built the casino and hoped projects can begin moving again. “We are going to be okay,” Hudak assured.

Hudak also shared an announcement that he had received about a planned Preservation Pennsylvania public workshop on how to use the state’s “ProjectPATH” technology for citizen input and tracking of PennDot construction projects like the upcoming work on the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 21 at the National Museum of Industrial History, and participants need to preregister.

Paul Pierpont, chairman of the advisory committee of the Southside Arts District, showed off the new logo for their “Southside Proud” campaign to members of the task force. He said the image will be used for buttons, posters, coasters and other materials to promote the district. He said a videographer will be filming events in the city to be also used for promotional purposes. The “Southside Proud” campaign is expected to start sometime in late July.

As dean of Northampton Community College’s Southside Center, Pierpont said they will soon begin preparation for the satellite campus’ expansion in July.

Janine Santoro, just back from maternity leave, described several upcoming events and programs planned for the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Southside branch. Among them are free Zumba classes, cartooning/anime art workshops and an interactive drum circle.

City councilwoman and Southeast Neighborhood Watch president Olga Negrón has been educating residents about their rights at free legal clinic workshops, and two more workshops are scheduled for May 25 and June 22 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Adrienne Washington from Lehigh University’s community and regional affairs reminded the group of the “Great South Side Sale” scheduled for June 3 at 10 a.m. She reported on the recent meeting of the university’s board of trustees. They toured the area and met with representatives of the community organizations to explore or strengthen partnerships. Hudak represented the South Side Task Force at that meeting.

Director of Development & Communications at New Bethany Ministries Kate Cohen said the nonprofit’s pantry expansion project is two-thirds funded. They have made progress with other affordable housing programs and a garden project. Cohen said they will be facing a budgetary challenge when HUD defunds the Restoration House Program on Oct. 1.

Cohen put in a plug for “Summer Sizzle Putting FORE,” a family-friendly golf tournament fundraiser for New Bethany Ministries, June 3 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Putt U in Center Valley.

Susan Vitez from the Steelworkers’ Archives announced the organization will be participating in the event at Camel’s Hump Farm on the Archibald Johnston Estate celebrating the 100th anniversary of the unification of Bethlehem on June 11.

According to Vitez, “Steel Walker Tours” of Bethlehem Steel will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. starting at the visitor‘s center for the Hoover-Mason Trestle. The “Steeples and Steel” tours of area churches should begin in July. She said tickets are available through ArtsQuest.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Northampton Community College’s East Third Street campus. As usual, they will not meet in June. The next meeting is scheduled for July 25.