Revitalizing Easton

State Grant will Improve Lafayette’s Downtown Gateway

In a ceremony Aug. 20 at the

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell brought a $9 million state grant to Easton. Present were Tom Goldsmith ’63, former Easton mayor (L-R); Phil Mitman, Easton mayor; Bob Freeman, state representative; Mike McFadden, former Easton mayor; Lafayette President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55; and Glenn Reibman, Northampton County executive.

Williams Visual Arts Building, Gov. Ed Rendell presented Easton Mayor Phil Mitman with a check for $9 million for the Bushkill Creek Corridor and Village project. This joint effort of Easton and Lafayette includes improvements to North Third Street (known as Bushkill Village) and two contiguous areas, the Bushkill Drive/ Bushkill Creek industrial tract and former Simon Silk Mill on North 13th Street. The areas form a highly traveled and visible entranceway to the College, city, and state.

Lafayette has invested nearly $9 million to revitalize North Third Street, with the $4.5 million visual arts building as cornerstone and an additional $4.35 million spent for other buildings and land between Route 22 and College Hill.

“Our vision is to create a vibrant neighborhood through a partnership between the city and College,” said President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55. “We envision a mixed-use area that serves not only the College community, but Easton residents as well. We foresee the area attracting an array of uses that could include quality housing, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, a bookstore, a bed and breakfast, and other commercial uses.”

Streetscape improvements this summer on North Third Street advanced the revitalized gateway, and the state grant will fund further improvements. Buildings owned by Lafayette will be brought into compliance with city codes, readying them for investment by potential users. The creek span that is part of the former Club Mohican property will be renovated to open new views of Bushkill Creek. Paving and decorative fencing will complete parking areas.

Possibilities being considered include transforming the former Easton Printing property into a visitors’ center; creating an “arts avenue” on North Third Street, anchored by the Williams Visual Arts Building, with public art installations complementing the streetscape and creek views; and establishing a Keystone Innovation Zone that features a distinctive technology/arts center.

In addition, the College is exploring constructing a funicular railway—a practical embodiment and powerful symbol of the connection between Easton and Lafayette—between the hilltop campus and North Third Street.

“Lafayette is committed to a vibrant and revitalized Easton,” Rothkopf said. “The three mayors I have had the privilege of working with over the past decade, Phil Mitman, Mike McFadden, and Tom Goldsmith ’63, have been superb partners with Lafayette in advancing the interests of this wonderful city.”

For more information see Spring 2004 issue.