On or about December 7, 2026, the City of Allentown will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) $1,014,920 in HOME-American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, to undertake a project administered by RCI Village Properties in collaboration with the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Date of Notice: November 12, 2026
Name of Responsible Entity (RE): City of Allentown, PA
Address: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101
Telephone Number (RE): (610) 437-7610
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Allentown.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Allentown has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Assessment (EA) file at The City of Allentown, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101 and may be examined or copied on weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
The RCI Village West project site is located at 1547 W. Chew Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18102 and defined as a 0.36-acre parcel (Parcel Identification Number [PIN]: 549750404536 - 1), bound by Monroe Street to the northwest, residential homes to the northeast, West Chew Street to the southeast, and North 16th Street to the southwest. The project is the site of a former church proposed to be rehabilitated into a four-story mixed-use development with 5 affordable housing units, community service spaces, and nonprofit administrative office spaces. The Project would retain the external integrity of the existing church building while repurposing the former church's sanctuary to meet the community's current needs. With the addition of three floors, the ground-level floor would have community service spaces; floors two and three would contain 5 housing units; and the fourth floor would include office spaces. One unit would be an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant accessible studio while the remaining units would be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom adaptable housing units, which would include accessibility features pursuant to Pennsylvania's 2009 Accessibility Code under Chapter 10, Section 1004, Type B Units. The housing units would be restricted to households at or below 50 percent of area median income (AMI) with a focus on households at or below 30 percent AMI.
The adaptive reuse of the Project Site would involve the replacement of all major building systems, including plumbing, electrical, fire protection, security, and mechanical systems. The RCI Village West project will be managed by RCI Village Properties upon completion. RCI is committed to the priority of Allentown’s Consolidated Plan to create and increase the availability of affordable housing and services for low-income individuals and families in Allentown. The total cost of the project (HUD and non-HUD funds) is estimated to be $7,917,478, which includes $1,014,920 of HUD funds for the project.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Allentown Department of Community and Economic Development, located at 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, and may be examined or copied on weekdays 8AM to 4:30PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Teresa Dakuginow at 610-437-7610 x2748, Teresa.Dakuginow@allentownpa.gov or by U.S. mail at the following address: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. Comments submitted need to reflect whether they are responding to the Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact or the Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds. All comments received by December 7, 2026, will be considered by the City of Allentown prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Allentown certifies to HUD that Matthew Tuerk in his capacity as Mayor and NEPA Certifying Officer consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Allentown to use program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Allentown’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Allentown; (b) the City of Allentown has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Philadelphia Office of Community Planning and Development at CPDRROFPHI@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Matthew Tuerk, Mayor
City of Allentown