Third Street Looking Forward

Plans for revitalizing gateway to campus under way

The vision of a revitalized downtown gateway to campus that began with the Williams Visual Arts Building moves closer to reality this spring with streetscape improvements on North Third Street. In addition, dramatic improvements are being discussed for the industrial tract along Bushkill Drive and the Bushkill Creek from College Hill to the former Simon Silk Mill site on North 13th Street.

With a Northampton County grant and College funds, the City of Easton is installing new, wider sidewalks to beautify WVAB’s block and increase pedestrian safety. There will be a crosswalk emblazoned with an L for Lafayette and decorative cast-iron lampposts.

Since the visual arts building opened in 2001, the College has purchased other buildings and land between Route 22 and College Hill. Along Snyder Street east of North Third, where the Route 22 off-ramp delivers travelers who have come to Easton from NewJersey, Lafayette owns the former Easton Printing Company and Case’s Tire (at the corner of North Third) and a parking lot between them.

View of North Third Street Buskill Bridge in 1830.

Along North Third, the College owns the former Club Mohican and has right of first refusal on an adjacent building that housed Jac & Co. restaurant until its owner closed the eatery just before Christmas.

Lafayette also owns a warehouse along Snyder west of North Third, approaching the on-ramp to westbound Route 22. Next to this is the Hubcap and Wheel Store. Arcadia Properties of Bethlehem, Pa., signed an agreement in November to purchase this eyesore, and Easton’s zoning board approved the developer’s request for permission to convert it into apartments.

Lafayette has not yet developed a comprehensive, long-term plan for the gateway, but has improved the area by beautifying building facades and razing two structures that did not meet local code, a house most recently used for apartments at 220 North Third, and the former Fehley Fuel Oil company on Snyder west of North Third.

Working closely with interim mayor Michael McFadden, the College developed a joint proposal with the city for state funds for further improvements. McFadden served out the term of Thomas F. Goldsmith ’63 after Goldsmith resigned in April to take a position with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Newly elected mayor Phil Mitman, who took office Jan. 5, has been supportive.

McFadden proposed that Northampton County consider allocating funds to improve the Bushkill corridor and silk mill site. A Lafayette-funded study outlined potential uses. The consultants, Land Concepts of Blue Bell, Pa., proposed creating a bikeway along the creek and listed a variety of scenarios for the silk mill, including an athletic complex, community center, retail and restaurant use, and possibly housing.

“We’re working with representatives of the city, county, state, and federal governments to develop plans and secure additional funding,” says President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55. “To the College, it’s critically important for Easton to be a revitalized and vibrant city.”