Bethlehem Works facts for kids
Bethlehem Works is a huge area, about 120 acres (0.49 km2), in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This land used to be owned by the Bethlehem Steel company, which made steel there for about 140 years. In 1995, the company stopped making steel at this main plant.
After closing, Bethlehem Steel wanted to help bring new life to the South Side of Bethlehem. They hired experts to plan how to reuse the property. The idea was to call the area "Bethlehem Works" and turn it into a place for culture, fun, learning, entertainment, and shopping. Even the famous Smithsonian Institution was part of the plan to create a new museum there.
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What Happened to Bethlehem Works?
From Steel to New Beginnings
In 1995, after 140 years of making metal, Bethlehem Steel stopped its operations on the south side of the Lehigh River. Experts were hired to figure out new ways to use the land. Soon after, work began to remove old buildings that were not needed or couldn't be used for new purposes.
In April 1996, the Bethlehem City Council changed the rules for the land. It used to be for "heavy industrial" use, meaning big factories. Now, it could be used for many different kinds of new projects. The land became known as Bethlehem Works, planned for entertainment, culture, recreation, and shopping.
Building the Future
In 1997, Bethlehem Steel and the Smithsonian Institution agreed to bring old industrial items to Bethlehem. These items would be shown in a new place called the National Museum of Industrial History, connected to the Smithsonian. This museum would help people learn about the history of making things.
Plans for Bethlehem Works were shared with the community. It was expected to be a big investment, creating many jobs and bringing in tax money for the area.
New Projects Take Shape
By 1999, old industrial artifacts from the 1800s started arriving in Bethlehem from the Smithsonian. These items were for a special Preview Center, which would later move to a larger museum.
Many new projects were announced:
- A 262-room hotel with a conference center was planned for the old headquarters building.
- The John M. Cook Technology Center, a place for new high-tech businesses to start, began construction.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania's environmental department approved the cleanup plan for Bethlehem Works. They called it a great example of how to reuse old industrial sites.
- A family fun center, called "The Fundry at Bethlehem Works," was planned. It would have up to 100,000 square feet (9,000 m2) of space for fun activities.
- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge gave an award to Bethlehem Steel for their cleanup work, which helped the land be used again.
- The city approved the plans for the first part of Bethlehem Works, including roads and other improvements. The Governor also gave $4.5 million to help build the Preview Center for the National Museum of Industrial History.
More Development and Growth
In 2000, agreements were made to build a movie theater and many shops. Money was also set aside to build roads and utility systems. The John M. Cook Technology Center opened, helping new high-tech companies grow. Construction for the first phase of Bethlehem Works began.
In 2001, Bethlehem Works won an award for being innovative in redeveloping old sites. More plans were announced:
- A company bought land to build the movie theater and shops.
- Eleven restaurants were planned for different spots within Bethlehem Works.
- A third technology center was planned to support more high-tech companies.
- An agreement was signed to build a dual indoor ice skating rink with an outdoor roller skating area.
A New Chapter: The Casino
In 2004, a New York investment group called Bethworks Now bought the Bethlehem Works site. They said they would continue with many of the original plans.
In 2006, the Bethlehem City Council voted to allow part of the Bethlehem Works site to be used for gambling. Later that year, Bethlehem received a license to open a slots parlor there.
On May 22, 2009, the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened. At first, only the casino and restaurants were open, with the hotel and shopping complex still being built. By April 2010, the 300-room hotel was also ready to open.
Images for kids
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The Wind Creek Bethlehem on Bethlehem Works in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
