City Center Allentown Unveils Northridge Development Plans for Allentown State Hospital Site

City Center, a prominent real estate developer in Allentown, is set to reveal its plans for the vacant Allentown State Hospital site. The 195-acre property at 1600 Hanover Ave. was the former location of a psychiatric hospital, which was demolished in 2020, leaving the land unused. City Center aims to transform the site into a "master-planned community" called Northridge.

City Center Allentown has scheduled an open house for Saturday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East Side Youth Center in Allentown. This event will provide residents and interested parties with the opportunity to learn more about the ambitious Northridge development project, which aims to transform the long-vacant Allentown State Hospital site into a vibrant and well-planned community. Visitors will have the chance to view renderings and plans for the site, as well as engage with City Center representatives to gain insights into the future of this significant redevelopment opportunity for the city.

While specific details about the project have not been disclosed yet, renderings on the developer's website suggest a mix of residential and commercial buildings, along with a spacious pedestrian plaza.

The site's history has been marked by controversy, with the state selling it directly to City Center for $5.5 million in early 2023 following a failed competitive bidding process. During the competitive process, the state deemed the two bids received from City Center and Patriot Equities of Wayne, Chester County, both valued at $5.5 million, as "non-responsive" and, therefore, not acceptable.

Despite some opposition and concerns about the sale process, the direct sale bill proposed by former Allentown state Senator Pat Browne passed with a majority vote in both the House (156-44) and the Senate (47-2). City and state officials representing Allentown, including Mayor Matt Tuerk, have expressed support for the deal.

Jeff Vaughan, spokesperson for City Center, has kept details about the project under wraps until after the community meeting, where residents will have the opportunity to learn about the vision for Northridge and the future of the long-vacant Allentown State Hospital site.