Iron Works Catasauqua

04/22/2025

At Monday (4/21) night's meeting, Catasauqua Borough Council approved the Agreement of Sale that, once executed, will transfer ownership of the Iron Works site from Catasauqua to RALC to Ironworks Development LLC. This was an important step to authorize RALC to continue in its relationship with the developer, and keep IW moving forward!

04/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UwyzPEsY9/

03/28/2025

Update from the Mar 6 RALC Meeting Minutes (https://www.lehighcounty.org/Portals/0/PDF/econDev/RALC%203-6-25%20FINAL.pdf?ver=xpgDp9jJVFLi0Tsy8IzbuQ%3d%3d):

"CG had a good Zoom meeting with VM Development, the Borough of Catasauqua,
and the attorneys with the plan being to have the agreement of sale on the Borough
council’s agenda for the April meeting. It will be necessary for the RALC to enter
into an agreement of sale with the Borough wherein the Borough would convey the
property to the RALC because under state law, the Borough is required to sell to
the highest bidder except under a provision by the Redevelopment Authority
Cooperation Law Act which allows boroughs to sell properties directly to
redevelopment authorities. Therefore, the first conveyance would be from the
Borough to the RALC and then the second conveyance from the RALC to VM
Development Group. CG’s thought is that this will be a contemporaneous transfer
because the RALC does not want to hold real estate for any period of time because
it would have to insure it. A draft of the agreement of sale will be available for
review at the April meeting with no action to be taken until the Borough approves
the agreement of sale at their April meeting which is subsequent to the RALC’s
April meeting. There is a state grant for $50,000.00 to be put toward engineering
costs provided to VM Development Group. The RALC will enter into a funding
agreement to provide them with those funds and this will be something the RALC
can do at the April meeting with the caveat that the Borough would approve the
agreement of sale with the RALC.
MY asked when is the Catasauqua Borough Council’s meeting. CG replied that
the working session is April 7 but they will not be approving the agreement of sale
on that date. CG requested VM Development Group attend that April 7 meeting to
answer any questions from Borough Council about the agreement or the project.
The plan is to have Council approve the agreement of sale at the regular meeting
on Monday, April 21.
MY asked whether VM Development Group had to own the site for them to
receive the state grant money for engineering. CG replied they did not have to
4
own it; they would need to have equitable title which they would by virtue of an
executed agreement of sale. No further questions on the project."

02/06/2025

UPDATE:

The Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County (RALC) held its monthly meeting today!

RALC Executive Director Christopher Gulotta provided an update on RALC projects, including Catasauqua Iron Works developments:

- Catasauqua borough council unanimously approved the Letter of Intent w/ VM

- Agreement of Sale (AoS) negotiation is in progress. RALC met with the advisory board (borough leadership) this week to review the draft and return comments to VM

- Ex*****on of AoS is expected by end of Q1 2025 (Mar.). Delay is always a possibility

- When the AoS is up for vote with Catasauqua Borough Council at the public business meeting, a VM representative will be there to speak and answer questions

- After the AoS is executed, there will be a due diligence period for VM to do additional review of the property, incl. environmental requirements, etc., leading to closing

- After final closing, expect development within 18 months

- Even as additional public funds are being pursued, VM will begin development with existing capital, so expect something: ~10 townhomes -or- mixed-use building(s) -or- commercial were given as examples

10/11/2024

Another 11-acre industrial redevelopment effort... many long years in the making (JUST like Iron Works!). This sales agreement was between Easton and VM - the same developer in negotiations with The Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County to acquire and develop IW.

Easton City Council approved a $1.5 million sale for the former Easton Iron and Metal site to VM Development Group, with the developer planning to build housing and commercial space.

07/15/2024

From July 15 Catasauqua Borough Council Meeting:
Following a meeting between the RDA and IW Advisory Committee (and a numerical grading of 2 proposals received), VM Development was chosen as the awardee. RDA to begin discussions/negotiations w/ VM in Aug.

Transforming faded urban treasures into catalysts for revitalization, renewal, and community growth. VM Development Group specializes in adaptive reuse and new construction partnerships in urban environments.

06/12/2024

Iron Works RFP Update: The Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County received 2 submissions by the June 10 deadline. Review process to follow.

04/09/2024

Look how close the Iron Works site is to the D& L Trail and the Lehigh River!! Ecotourism is key in turning things around and will bring in revenue if people start to make the connection. THIS is the boost that our downtown needs.

04/01/2024

In a surprise move today, the Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County has revealed stunning plans for Iron Works presented by a developer even before the June 10th RFP deadline! This one ticks all the boxes!

03/28/2024

The historical legacy and future redevelopment of Catasauqua's Iron Works was part of Business View Magazine's feature on Catasauqua! Links below:

https://businessviewmagazine.com/catasauqua-pennsylvania-lehigh-county/ (webpage)

https://businessviewmagazine.com/civil-municipal/mar-2024/3/ (virtual magazine)

Business View explores Catasauqua's rich historical heritage, economic challenges, and community revitalization efforts, showcasing the town's journey from past glory to a promising future.

03/26/2024

Jeff Speck, who literally "wrote the book" on urban planning, gives his expert opinion on Catasauqua Borough Council's 1-way vote on X (formally Twitter)!

https://x.com/JeffSpeckFAICP/status/1770875345878860190?s=20

Learn more about Jeff Speck here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Speck
https://www.speckdempsey.com/
https://www.ted.com/speakers/jeff_speck

01/21/2024

If you aren't quite sure what all the talk about "brownfield" development means, here is a great primer from the PA DEP. It provides an overview of how the vast potential at sites like Catasauqua's Iron Works can be unlocked:

https://files.dep.state.pa.us/EnvironmentalCleanupBrownfields/BrownfieldRedevelopment/BrownfieldRedevelopmentPortalFiles/Brownfield_Development_Guide.pdf

PA even offers an online, searchable database of brownfield sites, but Catasauqua Iron Works is currently absent. Check it out here: https://properties.zoomprospector.com/pa (hint: Click the blue "All Fiters" button, then check "Brownfield" to narrow the results!)