The South New Street stretch from Morton Street to the Fahy Bridge will be getting improvements thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Pennsylvania Financial Authority. City council approved the grant at the July 18 meeting.

The grant funds will be used to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, as well as measures to assist traffic flow in a congested area.

Council members also heard a brief account of a recent gas leak at Lehigh University, which led to the evacuation of 16 buildings.

Fire Chief Warren Achey said the evacuations were preventative, after a gas line was accidentally struck by a backhoe operator. He said the city emergency management system was invoked and the police, fire and ems worked together with Lehigh University security during the incident.

Council also approved a contract with locally-based URDC for a Monocacy Park Master Plan and Memorial Pool Feasibility Study. The contact includes URDC directing the plan and providing park master planning services. Another firm, Spillman Farmer, will evaluate needs and provide building design concepts, and a third company, Wallover Architects, will supply the pool feasibility study and conceptual designs for Memorial Pool.

The study should take about nine months, with the plan implementation slated for completion in 2019.

Director of Recreation Jane Persa told council members in a memo that URDC has already completed the city’s Comprehensive Parks and Pools Study and has an understanding of the current recreational opportunities and existing conditions at both the pool and park complex.

In other business, council members approved amending the Community Development budget. The vote was 5-0-1 with Council member Olga Negron abstaining. Council member Shawn Martell was absent.

There will be a Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. before the regular council meeting. Topics include a 911 center update and 2017 Musikfest review.

The Aug. 1 city council meeting agenda will include an intermunicipal agreement between the Bethlehem Authority and Upper Saucon Township for water service, as well as a Highway Safety Project Grant for a DUI program.