What Goes in the Old Elek Plumbing Building?
Former William Elek Ltd. building sits in the heart of the busy SouthSide at 128 E. Third St. Tell us what should go here.
The William Elek Ltd. Building at 128 E. Third St., South Bethlehem.
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The William Elek Limited building at 128 E. Third St. at the corner of Webster Street in South Bethlehem has been vacant since the plumber retired.
Within one mile of this 7,500-square-foot building, according to Kathy Vossough, the city’s deputy director of economic development, there are 25,000 residents, 9,326 households, 1,128 daytime employees and an annual 2010 consumer spending of $233,181,000.
That's in the heart of the bustling SouthSide arts and entertainment downtown.
“Unfortunately, I think the building, while it looks maintained well from the outside, simply blends in, and is not one that is noticeable with its current façade, but has great potential for visibility with a small facelift,” Vossough said.
What goes here, Bethlehem? Tell us in the comments.
Jon Geeting
7:54 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
This is exactly the kind of building the city should be trying to replace with a mixed use building, with ground floor retail and apartments. The facade is pretty heinous, and it's only one story. Southside has a lot of buildings like this that are old, but not historically important. I think the city should make it very easy for developers to demolish them and replace with something more attractive and useful. Especially now, given the too-tight rental market and rising rents.
Mary Anne Looby
9:43 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I agree with Jon. With the south side growing and becoming the place to go, this building could play a big part in adding to the growing commerce.
Daryl Nerl
10:36 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
For once, Jon, I am inclined to agree with you about building up here, though I have been told that this building is in decent shape, even if the facade is "heinous."