Residents and businesses in Allentown's West End Theatre District are celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of a $3.1 million investment into district’s streetscaping and infrastructure.  Members gathered outside Theatre 501 this afternoon to mark the occasion.

The first phase includes new lighting, trees and landscaping, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, benches  and additional aesthetic and structural enhancements along the 500 and 600 blocks of N 19^th Street (Liberty to Tilghman).

Marino Corporation of Skippack, PA was the contractor for the project.  T&M Associates of Middletown, NJ provided construction management.  The design was done by Brown Design Corporation of Allentown.  The city's Department of Public Works, Bureau of Water Resources and Grants Coordination Manager assisted with the project along with the West End Alliance. 

The total investment represents $1.5 million from the city; $1.5 million in RACP funds from the state and $100,000 from the Fairgrounds. Lehigh County provided a planning grant.