Politics & Government

5 Things to Know About the Housenick Estate Project

Plans approved for estate donated to Bethlehem Township

  1. A 20th century mansion owned by the first president of Bethlehem Steel was donated to along with money to turn the Housenick Estate into a community park.
  2. Township Council voted 3-2 Monday to open the park as soon as the mansion is secure, create public access to the property, use a $2 million endowment to secure grants and donations, restore the mansion and seek its placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
  3. Council also voted to disband the Housenick Committee and entrust township staff with all responsibility for advancing the project. But Commissioners Tom Nolan and Jerry Batcha wanted to retain the committee as a force of continuity focused on the project when township jobs turn over, accrording to the Morning Call's report of the meeting.
  4. Committee Member Tom Brady said he fears the master plan will languish unfulfilled without the committee’s oversight.
  5. The complete project including restoration of the 17-room mansion could take ten years.


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