The multi-story set of buildings at 332-348 Front and W. Gordon streets (a.k.a. Ribbon Works) that were built to house the old Weilbacher Silk Mill business in the city of Allentown will be demolished by the city for safety reasons.

A fire in the Old Mill (East Section) that was constructed in 1897 has left the building uninhabitable since 1982. The New Mill (West Section) has been vacant and without maintenance since approximately 2004.

Recently the Allentown Redevelopment Authority signed an agreement of sale with the owners, Ribbon Works Partners LLC of Philadelphia.

The buildings suffer from neglect, fire and storm damage and vandalism. Buildings on the property have sustained collapsed roofs, missing roof wall sections and broken windows; flooring has buckled, rotted and disintegrated, slab wall has deteriorated and brick veneer is falling. As a result, an emergency situation has been declared by the city.

Demolition is expected to begin soon.

There are no immediate plans for the re-use of the property.
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