Does South Bethlehem Need a Community Benefit District?

Property owners in part of South Bethlehem could soon have to pay a yearly fee to support something called a "Community Benefit District."

But the people behind the CBD say that money would be put to good use: bringing new services and benefits to the neighborhood.

Basically, the CBD would charge commercial and residential property owners a yearly fee in exchange for things like neighborhood "ambassadors" similar to the ones used in downtown Easton, as well as new trash and recycling bins, bike racks, planters, banners and signs.

Residential property owners would pay a flat fee of $100 a year. Commercial property owners would pay $6.80 a month for every $1,000 of their assessed property value. 

The district would include the commercial areas around Third and Fourth streets from Wyandotte to Hayes, along with the area around the Hill to Hill Bridge area, 5 Points, Lehigh University’s Campus Square, and the area around the Third Street/Founders Way intersection.

So far, reaction has been positive, according to the committee behind the CBD.

"No one likes increased fees but they see the value in the services being offered and most are willing to pay their fair share," the committee wrote on its website. 

"They are also aware of the increased visitors to the Southside over the past five years visiting Steel Stacks and the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem properties and want to find a way to include the Southside business district in the visitor experience."

But a public meeting on the CBD did attract some skeptics, like Riverport resident Stephanie Altieri.

“Basically you want the residents to pay for the businesses' marketing,” she said, quoted in the Express-Times.

But CBD committee member and business owner Cleo Smith argued—according to a Morning Call report—that the district would allow South Bethlehem to shed its image as the city's "stepchild."

The CBD needs approval from city council, which can only happen after property owners give their OK. (More to the point: If more than 40 percent of property owners object to the CBD, the city can't vote.)

That scenario is very similar to one that happened in Easton in 2011, when something called a Neighborhood Improvement District was vetoed by city property owners.

We want to know what you think. Does South Bethlehem need the CBD? Tell us in the comments.