After attending a continuing series of hearings regarding a major project proposal for South New Street, architects Eric DeLong and Anthony Civitella were granted a certificate of appropriateness for a proposal to raze an entire row of attached buildings containing 319, 321, 323, 325, 327 S. New St. from the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission at their April 20 meeting at city hall.

Assisted by Craig Johnson with North Star Construction, DeLong and Civitella provided evidence that, incorporating the Italianate façade of the existing building at 321-323 with its original architectural details into the new construction was not only costly, but not feasible. The historic building’s older masonry storefront, supported by wood infrastructure, is too fragile to save and would not meet code requirements.

The previous COA allowed for demolishing most of the existing buildings on the property, as it was determined the other structures had lost their defining architectural details over time. The new COA allows for taking down this final existing building to make way for a new seven-story mixed-use building with ground floor retail and tenant amenity space above that will pay homage to the older building’s historic architectural features.

The overall design of the new building was favorable to the commissioners. The applicants were instructed to return again with window materials, specs and other building material samples. It was noted that demo of the existing structures cannot happen until the replacement building gets final approval.

The grouping of properties is owned by 325 South New St. Development, LLC.

Eric Reidinger and Dominick Gurreri from Factory39 had their new construction proposal for 330 E. Fourth St. tabled. While a previous COA allowed for the demolition of the deteriorated circa 1890 Classical Revival former residence, the commissioners found the new design for a mixed-use building with one commercial space at ground level and four residential units overhead too tall. They suggested it also should be set back to better align with its neighbor and retain some of the front yard retaining wall to keep the new structure visually tied to the rest of the block.

The applicants were told to rework the plans and return with building materials.

Nabila Youssef is listed as the property owner.

Restaurateur Samuel Montoya scored a COA for signage and an awning for his new family-owned eatery at 15 E. Fourth St. The white and red logo is centered on black fabric with white, uppercase lettering spelling out, “Uno Taqueria * The Authority in Tacos & Salsas” on the front of the valance in all caps. The awning will fit the existing aluminum frame.

Similar signage in vinyl was approved for the 6-foot-by-6-foot storefront window and entrance door.

Owned by Jea Ill Chung, the building is the former home of General Zapata Mexican Restaurant.

Ryan Kennedy from MKSD Architects and Dennis Wirth from Sign Design Associates were successful with their proposed signage for the new ArtsQuest Southside Cultural Center being constructed on the site of the former Banana Factory at 25 W. Third St. Reverse channel letters and logos, fabricated from aluminum with clear polycarbonate backs, spell out “ArtsQuest Creative Factory Powered by PPL.” These are to be illuminated with a halo glow around the edges of the lettering and graphics. The 29-foot-by-2-foot-10-inch sign is being installed on the eastern facing façade for over the entrance.

Similar illuminated signage for the west and north façades feature the logos and letters stacked within a 24-foot-by-8-foot-4-inch space on three lines for installation on masonry walls toward the top of the building.

Todd Chambers recused himself from this agenda item.

Assisted by Jessica Margulies from Eclectic Architecture, LLC, Bagel House owner Waled Elfeil received approval to install two ventilation louvers above the exterior doors on the building’s east façade at 306 S. New St. The COA allows for the removal of glass panels above the doors with the metal louvers that is to match the metal finish of the existing windows and doors.

Owned by Gateway 1, Inc., the contemporary building is not considered a “contributing structure” in the historic district.

All voting was unanimous except for the ArtsQuest proposal.

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.

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 commission’s recommendations are later reviewed, and then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.