Lucy Lennon from Main Street Real Estate Group was granted a certificate of appropriateness for her signage proposal for 446 Main St. during the Historical and Architectural Review Board’s July 8 meeting held at city hall’s Rotunda.

At 16 feet wide and 2 feet high, with metallic gold serif lettering spelling out, “Main Street Real Estate Group” with a matching pinstripe, the matte black aluminum composite sign is to be installed on an existing plywood backing within the storefront sign band.

Vinyl Bethlehem star graphics and lettering that resemble etched glass were approved for the split-panel window and door for the shop on the first floor. With a large Bethlehem star on one of the shop window panes, the other sports “Gallery and Fine Art” in cursive lettering with a smaller star and “Estate Sales * Pop-Up Gifts * Housewares” as well as other related information and website spelled out in a serif font. The glass entrance door is similar in design while listing both businesses.

“Because of zoning, you can’t have a real estate front facing on the window,” explains Lennon. “So, what we’ve done is the real estate office is somewhat in the back. The front we’ve done as a pop-up retail.”

The 2.5-story brick building, built in 1807, is owned by Renaissance Realty of Bethlehem LLC and is the former location of Twisted & Dipped.

Carlisle Krakowski scored a retroactive COA to replace the buckled and deteriorated bluestone and slate sidewalk with one of brushed concrete for 443 Center St. The existing brick border alongside the sidewalk closest to the front yard fence was retained. She also was approved to install three different styles of landscape lighting at the rear patio and along the brick wall and backyard pathways. The extensive landscaping project for the property had been approved back in January 2026, with the lighting component to be approved later.

The large single-family stone home, built circa 1875 is owned by Andrew and Carlisle Krakowski.

HARB granted homeowner Robert Ammerman a COA for his proposal to replace the existing 7-foot-high vertical wood slat and lattice fence with 6-foot-high vertical wood slat fencing along the east side and rear of 55 E. Church St. Ammerman provided photos of the approximately 20-year-old fence that has clearly reached the end of its lifespan, despite being repaired several times.

One gate facing School Street and another leading to a driveway that faces Wesley Street at the rear of the property are to be replaced as well.

The materials for the new privacy fence are of western red cedar with 4 by 4-inch posts and 2 by 4-inch backer rails. Hardware is to be black.

Erected circa 1870, the large brick house is owned by Robert and Jill Ammerman.

All voting was unanimous.

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding. Meetings can be viewed on YouTube.

To avoid the crowds at Musikfest, the next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.