Ballparks, hotels, housing projects and museums among those vying for state redevelopment grants

Renovations at Coca-Cola Park in East Allentown and FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading are among the dozens of projects vying for grants from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

Another major request is funding for the Da Vinci Science Center’s proposed project in Downtown Allentown and the redevelopment at the site of the Boyd Theatre in Bethlehem.

So is a new security checkpoint and terminal connector for Lehigh Valley International Airport, an expansion for Sanofi Pasteur’s Influenza vaccine plant in Pocono Township and ArtsQuest’s planned Banana Factory overhaul in South Side Bethlehem.

Businesses and organizations can request grants for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

The submissions must have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity to qualify.

For Coca-Cola Park, LV Baseball LP is asking for $5 million to expand the clubhouse, male and female locker rooms and training facility, and for a center field entrance to accommodate shifting the parking because of development in an adjacent lot.

At FirstEnergy Stadium, Reading Baseball LP is asking for $7.5 million to construct a three-story structure to house the home and visiting clubhouses and a women’s locker room as well as indoor event space. Two new bullpens will also be built outside as part of the project.

The Da Vinci Science Center is seeking $8 million towards the construction of a long-anticipated 67,300-square-foot science center in Downtown Allentown. The center will promote STEM learning and will have a 150-seat demonstration theater, a café and gift shop.

Lin Erickson, executive director and CEO of Da Vinci said in a previous statement that the project “will improve access to high-quality STEAM education, drive economic development and enhance the quality of life for residents of the Lehigh Valley.”

As part of the project, Da Vinci plans to create a science and arts walk and an entry plaza that will connect with parking at the PPL Center Arena.

The Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority is seeking $5 million to create a new four-lane security screening checkpoint with an elevated terminal connector. The project also includes four new elevators and four new escalators to meet ADA standards and a state-of-the-art air purification system.

In Pocono Township, Sanofi Pasteur is seeking more than $3 million to help with its Phase 3 expansion and infrastructure support at multiple locations. Among other things, the project would bring HVAC systems into a now unused portion of its legacy building. It would also make efficiency improvements to its Influenza vaccine filling facility.

ArtsQuest is seeking $3.5 million for its plans to construct a new 80,000-square-foot arts and culture center at the site of the current Banana Factory Art Center. It would include studio work space, gallery space, classrooms, meeting spaces and a comedy theater.

In other major projects, Jaindl Land Co. is seeking $2.1 million for its planned Lehigh Valley Resort and Spa project in Lehigh Township, Northampton County to renovate nearly 134,000 square feet of the former Mary Immaculate Seminary and St. John Neumann Building. The company is turning the site into a destination hotel with an event venue, restaurants and full-service spa.

The property, which has been vacant for many years, sits back from the main road on one of the highest spots in Northampton County.

“It’s a beautiful structure, it’s in great condition,” David Jaindl said in a previous interview with Lehigh Valley Business. “We are trying to repurpose it. We are keeping the chapel, which will be a wedding venue.”

Plamen Ayvazov is seeking $15 million for the Boyd Theatre III project in Bethlehem to demolish the building and build a new mixed-use building. The project will include apartments, restaurants and retail on the city’s Broad Street. The theater has been vacant for years after suffering significant storm damage.

Our City Reading Inc. is seeking $3 million for the creation of the GoggleWorks Annex Apartments in Reading. This project will create an environment where Berks-area artists can live and work.

ByHeart Inc. is seeking $5.8 million to add a canning line and end-use dry blending to the Exeter township infant formula manufacturing site.

Vanick Properties Inc. is seeking $3 million to construct a medical and office building on South 11th Street in Reading.

Doylestown Hospital is seeking $5 million for its Doylestown Hospital Children’s Village.

Catasauqua Borough is seeking nearly $700,000 towards Phase II of the development of the former Crane Iron Works.

KidsPeace is seeking $1.9 million for renovations at its North Whitehall Township campus.

The Allentown Housing Authority is seeking $2 million for affordable housing in the Little Lehigh Redevelopment.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is seeking $3.7 million for expansion at its neonatal intensive care unit on its Salisbury Campus.

Great Wolf Lodge of the Poconos is seeking $10.8 million for infrastructure improvements at its Pocono Township resort.

Hawthorne Mount Pocono Luxury Resort is seeking $2 million for development of new suites, hotel rooms, cabins and event space in Paradise Township.

205 E High St LLC is seeking $500,000 to help put the former Anchor Building in Pottstown back into use.

Days Restart is seeking $5 million for the Dutchtown Commons project in Easton.

Collaboration 3 LLC is seeking $1 million for its Goodman Building project in the South Side Bethlehem arts district.

Heritage Riverview LP is seeking $750,000 for the redevelopment of the former Heritage Lanes building in Easton.

Lehigh Riverport Investors Fund LP is seeking $750,000 for the development of the Riverport Public Market in Bethlehem.

The National Museum of Industrial History is seeking $2.75 million for a second-floor expansion at its Bethlehem museum.

Bethlehem Parking Authority is seeking $9.5 million for the Walnut Street Parking Garage project.

Public comments on the requests are being accepted through May 12.

For the complete list of all RACP funding requests click HERE.