Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski says the city will spend $2.5 million to rehabilitate poor center city neighborhoods.

Pawlowski told a crowd of more than 300 business leaders at a Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Muhlenberg College this morning that his Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods program will address blight remediation, housing redevelopment, home ownership, streetscaping and education and early childhood programs. Pawlowski pledged to work with the Allentown School District and challenged the business community to match or exceed the city’s $2.5 million commitment.

The city’s funding comes from $1 million of the proceeds of the 50 year Concession Lease of the city’s water and sewer utility system and $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds.

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