The Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley’s proposal to tear down a house they own to make room for a new grassy plaza was tabled by the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission at the July 16 meeting in the Rotunda. The property consists of a former one-story gothic revival brick church with a stone façade on one side and a circa-1935 wood frame house on the other, connected at the rear by a 1940s era brick addition. A small parking area lies between the two older buildings. Representing the Hispanic Center complex at 520 E. Fourth St. were Dale Kochard, BDA Healthcare Architects Justin Tagg and Nathan Nace, and Elizabeth Srock from St. Luke’s Hospital.

Tagg said there was a need for additional outdoor space for serving the center’s clientele, especially for those seeking assistance from the food pantry. He and Kochard explained that a permeable grass system would be installed to create an area for senior citizens to gather together to socialize. Other times, delivery trucks would utilize the space to drop off food for the center’s pantry. The proposal included redesigning the handicap access ramp to make it ADA compliable. Srock told the board that the administrative offices located in the house would be moved to the former church.

Chairman Philip Roeder reflected the views of the other board members when he said, “I think I have a big problem with tearing a building down and using it as parking.”

Tagg failed to convince the board that the cost to renovate the house exceeded its value. He cited uneven floors and sagging ceilings resulting from settlement of the structure. He pointed to water damage in the basement and extensive outdated electrical wiring throughout the house as being too expensive to be viable.

The Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley was instructed to return with figures on the value of the building and the cost of bringing it up to code before BHCC could properly make a decision on allowing its demolition. Craig Evans also requested more detailed information about what would be built in its place.

Accompanied by Evan Blose from Fast Signs, Marco Lu was given a certificate of appropriateness for new signage for his Rakii Ramen restaurant located at 328 S. New St. A canopy-mounted sign made of 11.625-inch-high individual letters spelling out “Rakii Ramen” painted brushed aluminum and a 24-inch x 24-inch cut corten steel sign with the company logo pin-mounted to the mortar joints of the painted brick wall was also approved. The steel alloy material for the wall signage forms a rust-like appearance and requires no paint. The three-story commercial building is owned by Richard McCormick.

Lynn Holden from the Community Action Development Corp. of Bethlehem (CADBC) received approval for revisions to a façade renovation project previously granted a COA for 721 E. Fourth St. Representing homeowner Lenore Hughes, Holden proposed removing the 8-inch aluminum siding from the front of the house that was an obstacle in the way of a porch roof installation. The original clapboard siding would then be exposed and repainted. A length of chain link fence at the front of the side yard would be replaced with a 4-foot wood picket fence. The work is being funded through a grant obtained through CADBC.

Permission for replacing deteriorating asphalt shingles with “weathered slate” Slateline shingles on a detached garage was quickly granted to Ken Loush for 1324 Prospect Ave. Ken and Judy Loush own the circa 1917 house with the “non-contributing” brick garage built in 1976. As a commission member, Loush recused himself from this agenda item only.

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.