Larry Eighmy and Larson Lovdal from the Stone House Group, along with architect Bret Peters, sought advice from the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission regarding the structure located behind the iconic Flatiron Building. Eighmy, also owner of the property through Sycamore Hill Farm Development, presented plans to convert the Wells Fargo Bank’s parking deck at 327 Broadway and 324 W. Fourth St. into a magistrate’s office and courtroom with secure parking, a microbrewery and commercial space during the May 21 meeting in the Rotunda. Seven Sirens Brewing Company owners Jordon Serulneck and Joshua Divers were part of the entourage addressing the board.

What began as large circa mid-1880s general store in the neighborhood, then later became the J.M. Degnan Company department store, was converted into an auto sales and service location in 1929. The building’s former decorative department store façade had been completely obliterated over the years. Few traces of its earlier design features are visible on its three-story façade at 327 Broadway. As a parking garage, much of it is open to the elements and Eighmy sought permission to begin to create a weather-tight enclosure around the building, with new windows, storefront and doors in all exterior openings.

A certificate of appropriateness was granted for a bronze colored aluminum storefront for 327 Broadway and the west elevation of the building that is similar to the previously approved Metro PCS storefront next door. Other windows and storefronts for the project are to be submitted at a later meeting. Commission member Craig Evans recused himself from this one agenda item only.

Another phase in the rehab of the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley was approved for the venerable stone building at 502 E. Fourth St. Justin Tagg from BDA Healthcare Architects was given a certificate of appropriateness for a new façade for the modern-looking utilitarian addition at the rear of the former St. John’s Windish Hall. The beige brick of the one-story structure facing Fillmore Street and the deteriorating red brick at the very back of the addition is to be clad in stone that closely matches the stonework of the original circa 1915 building. The red brick of the second story of the center and chimney is to be covered as well. Lighter stone is to be installed as roof and sill lines, and lintels on the rear addition to complement similar architectural details on the original hall.

Before issuing the COA, a sample board of materials is to be submitted to the historic officer. Nathan Nace, also from BDA, and Elizabeth Srock from St. Luke’s Hospital assisted in Tagg’s presentation.

Hicklin Enterprises was allowed by the BHCC to retain the logo and business name signage, along with the phone number and web site already installed on the storefront window at 831 E. Fourth St. Isaac Vidol and Femi Amintoyo represented Dale Hicklin’s financial services business located in the Fowler Fourth Street Commons. They agreed to redesign and move the additional business information to the door to bring the signage in compliance with city zoning and historic district rules. The duo apologized for not previously seeking board approval and promised to submit the door signage to the historic officer.

The Bethlehem HCC is charged with the task of determining if new signs or other alterations to a building’s exterior would be an appropriate fit for the neighborhood in one of three designated historic districts. Hearings are regularly scheduled on the third Monday of the month.

Obtaining a certificate of appropriateness is only a first step for business owners and residents in a designated historic district who wish to make alterations to a building’s exterior. The BHCC’s recommendations are later reviewed, then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.