![Old Pardee (1).png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ddf333_13be8a97c2a84e5aaab273d6578a16df~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_620,h_310,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/ddf333_13be8a97c2a84e5aaab273d6578a16df~mv2.png)
Going Forward
September 2024​
Following are summaries of the most important planning and development issues facing the Easton Area at the moment:
Thirteenth Street Warehouse. A developer has proposed constructing a one million square foot warehouse on the 106 acre site of the former Pfizer plant near the interchange of Route 22 and 13th St. Most of the property and the proposed building are in Wilson Borough, but some is in Easton. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has NOT supported the project due to a variety of environmental and traffic issues. On September 9, 2024, the Wilson Borough Council unanimously approved preliminary plans for the project, despite opposition from Easton and Palmer township officials. The Easton Planning Commission has tabled the matter until its November 6 meeting (6:30 pm, Easton City Hall) pending action by Wilson, and the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection. The developer says that all Route 22 truck traffic will be routed to 25th St. but it is hard to know why westbound trucks won’t exit at 13th St. Much of the site drainage will be on the Easton portion of the property.
Lafayette College: Please see our Home Page for updates. A meeting for residents to express their questions and concerns will be held at 6 pm, Wednesday, September 25 in the Wilson Room, Pfennig Alumni Center.
Downtown Easton. Work is proceeding on hundreds of new apartment units in downtown Easton. The Seville is complete, rentals and occupancy have begun at the Confluence and the Watermark. Work is underway at the Marquis and on Sixth Street, and has yet to begin at the Confluence. As far as is known, all of the new units will be market rentals: no condos, no affordable housing. Some have on-site parking; many do not. A new hotel (also without on-site parking) is under construction at the former Jacob Meyer Building on Centre Square. The extent of construction raises many questions that at present cannot be answered: how will the character of the Downtown Easton Historic District be impacted by so many new buildings; what will be the effect on traffic and parking; will apartments be filled or will there be extensive vacancies; will there be a revitalization of shopping (other than restaurants); will downtown Easton remain a ‘food desert,’ without a major super market? STAY TUNED!