CATASAUQUA, Pa. (WLVT) - State Representative Jeanne McNeill secured a $1 million grant to help with cleanup and ultimately the redevelopment of the former Crane Iron Works site in Catasauqua.
“It’s just going to revitalize the whole Front Street area,” said Rep. McNeill. “There are a lot of vibrant, wonderful businesses there already, so this will just enhance it and bring more people.”
Borough Councilman Vincent Smith, said they are hoping to turn this area into a mixed-use property in the future. “We want something here that’s going to be riverfront, that’s going to be appealing, that’s going to enhance our downtown, that’s going to bring services to the municipality that we currently lack,” said Smith. Some of those services include a doctor’s office, a bank, attorney’s offices, or more restaurants, according to Smith.
To jump start redevelopment, the borough already built a new municipal building with administrative offices, police, and fire officials. Smith said the borough has to make sure to carefully demolish all the buildings on the Crane Iron site to avoid residents being exposed to asbestos.
The redevelopment project is expected to cost about $42 million altogether, and it will include areas for shopping, eating, living, and recreation. Smith also said the D&L trail will run through the borough as well.
Currently the borough is still working out details for the sale of the property, but they are estimating it can be finalized in the next couple months.
