Bethlehem for Unique Neighborhoods, Inc.

Please help us accomplish our mission.

Your generous donation will go towards expenses for legal representation, professional consultants (e.g. engineers, accountants, etc.), signs, informational documents & materials, office supplies and other expenses we will incur towards our mission.

The best way for City officials and leadership at FPC to make decisions that are in the best interest of our established and unique neighborhoods, is for neighbors to come together as a unified group.

We thank you for your consideration and donation!

Who We Are:

We are families, homeowners, individuals and neighbors in the North and West Bethlehem neighborhoods of our city.

Neighbors came together when we learned in December 2023 about the proposed high-density (220-320 residential units in multi-story buildings and commercial uses on the same property as the existing multipurpose/use church building) and mixed-use (residential, restaurant, retail, daycare, church, office, etc.) development on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church (“FPC”) on Center Street. We also learned the City of Bethlehem, via their 2023 housing study and strategic plan to address housing in the city, titled “Opening Doors,” plans to implement updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance that will increase densities and transform land use in North and West Bethlehem neighborhoods.

Our Mission:

The City of Bethlehem has a healthy and diverse mix of neighborhood types, offering varying densities, housing types and price ranges to a widespread population.

Bethlehem for Unique Neighborhoods, Inc. recognizes the value and importance of these distinct neighborhoods. As such, we have formed to oppose City Administration and City Council updating the Zoning Ordinance. Changing the Zoning Ordinance would result in a multitude of unintended consequences and negative impacts to our city.

We initially and specially oppose the high-density and mixed-use development concept proposed by the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. This project would gravely impact surrounding residential neighborhoods and, if approved, would set a precedent for future densification projects.