Downtown Development & Urban Design Plan
Allentown is in the midst of a resurgence stemming from its downtown core where a historic wave of reinvestment has been taking place, demonstrating the area’s growing appeal as an inviting place to live, work, learn and play – and delivering with it strong economic and community value to the city and the Lehigh Valley region. To keep the momentum going in a well-considered manner and orderly fashion, city leaders commissioned a planning study that will recommend initiatives on land use, urban design, transportation and infrastructure. The plan is provided as a set of recommendations to city boards, commissions, and other key stakeholders and leadership for their full consideration, to inspire and guide further implementation actions. Three companion studies provide more detailed analysis of some of downtown’s most important areas for initiative, explaining its strong housing market potential, opportunities to minimize the land and funding needed for parking, and clear, effective ways to refine zoning and design guidelines for buildings.