Donors of some 1100 commemorative bricks retrieved from the arena block at the northwest corner of Seventh & Hamilton streets in Allentown can be reclaimed during two opportunities in August.

The bricks which were purchased in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of a Center Square renovation project were removed for the arena construction. The Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority has been storing them at the headquarters of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation on Harrison Street in south Allentown.

The bricks can be picked-up on Saturday, August 9 from 8am to 11am and on Tuesday, August 12 from 5pm to 8pm at 905 Harrison Street. Motorists are advised to enter Harrison Street off of South 10th Street. No one will have to get out of their vehicle. Volunteers will greet drivers and ask them for the name on the brick. Those volunteers will verify that the brick has been retrieved. Drivers will then be asked to show picture identification and sign a release form. The brick will then be handed over to the driver.

More than 200 persons phoned ANIZDA in mid-June saying they were interested in obtaining their brick. An ANIZDA representative will phone to advise them if their brick has been retrieved and how they can claim it.

An alphabetized list of the names on the retrieved bricks is published on the city website at www.allentownpa.gov. Interested persons should look for the brick icon located in the left column of the home page. Some of the names on the bricks were difficult to read because of weathering and wear. Therefore, some of the names may not be listed correctly. If a donor does not see the name of the brick they are seeking, it is possible that it may be spelled differently on the list.

The downtown bricks were removed by several different developers. ANIZDA only has possession of those that were placed on the arena block.

Persons who are unable to pick-up their brick on either of the designated dates are asked to have a neighbor, friend or relative pick it up for them. If those arrangements cannot be made, interested persons are asked to email jean.brossman@allentownpa.gov by August 22 and ANIZDA will hold the brick for you. Those donors will then be notified regarding the next pick-up date.

Unclaimed bricks will be disposed of at a later date. 

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