Browne, Schweyer, Schlossberg: Allentown projects to receive $7.5 million in RACP funding

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg and State Sen. Pat Browne today announced state funding totaling $7.5 million has been secured for several Allentown improvement projects.

“These projects will benefit those who live in and visit Allentown and the greater Lehigh Valley,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “With this funding, these organizations, which I am proud to partner with and support, can make repairs or improvements to continue their vital work of making our community a great place and boosting the local economy.”

“The funding awarded today is very exciting for our region to improving early education, higher education and improving the quality of life,” said Schlossberg, D-Lehigh. “I would like to thank Senator Pat Browne and my colleagues who have come together and worked very hard to allow these improvement projects to become a reality.”

“The role LCCC’s Donley Center has played in providing access to high-quality education options to our city’s young adults cannot be overstated,” said Browne, Senate Appropriations Committee chairman. “Our economy relies upon a skilled workforce to remain competitive in the 21st century economy. I am proud to work with my colleagues, Representative Schlossberg and Representative Schweyer, to ensure that LCCC has the resources necessary to keep our region’s workforce on the cutting edge.”

According to the legislators, the grant funding was awarded to the following organizations in their districts:

  • Eastern Exterior Wall Systems Inc. - $2 million to complete the restoration of a vacant building at 606 S. 10th St., Allentown.
  • Real Star Properties - $1 million for renovations to a historic building at 300 Hamilton St., Allentown.
  • The DaVinci Science Center - $1 million to create a Fab Lab and Preschool Academy. 
  • Cedar Crest College - $1 million to replace the campus’ grass softball field with a full-service turf field.
  • Lehigh Carbon Community College - $1 million to address façade and roof renovations at the Donley Center.
  • Phoebe Home Inc. - $1 million for various renovations to the Phoebe Allentown campus.
  • Resurrected Community Development Corp. - $1 million to expand and improve classroom space at the Children’s Academy.
  • AASR Lehigh Consistory - $500,000 for renovations to the Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Allentown.

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.