Future Site: Eastern Exterior Wall Systems
Photo Credit: Jan Ahner, Alvin H. Butz
Nearly a decade after acquiring the site, and one of the largest projects AEDC has been a part of, the former Allentown Metal Works site is being brought back to life. The 17.5-acre lot along Allentown's South 10th Street will be the new home to Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc.
Originally constructed in 1902, the site contained 260,000 square feet of buildings and operated for 109 years as a heavy fabricated metals factory. As of January 2011, Allentown Metal Works officially ceased all operations. In 2013, following a series of failed attempts by the previous owner to sell to private developers, AEDC, in cooperation with the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Authority (ACIDA), entered into an agreement of sale to purchase the site. From 2013 through 2018, using a combination of state, federal and local funding, in addition to a direct investment by AEDC, environmental characterization, two rounds of remediation and selective demolition was performed.
In December of 2017 AEDC completed an environmental covenant with Pennsylvania DEP concluding the initial requirements of the Pennsylvania Voluntary Clean-Up Program under the special industrial area provision of Act II.
“The ability of these buildings to support overhead cranes and the overall size of the property were key factors in choosing this site. -Charles Marcon, Marcon Properties, LLC
Photo Credit: Jan Ahner, Alvin H. Butz
As is often the case with rewarding projects, it took some time to find the right buyer/developer for the property. In October of 2022 Marcon Properties, LLC entered into an agreement of sale with ACIDA and agreed to work cooperatively with AEDC to return the brownfield to manufacturing use. Making a remarkable investment in urban manufacturing and the city of Allentown, Marcon Properties selected Alvin H. Butz, Inc. as the construction manager for the $40+ million project. “Successful completion of a brownfield reclamation of this size is only possible with the cooperation of many partners,” says Scott Unger, AEDC Executive Director. Phase one of the two-phase plan is currently under construction and phase two is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2024. Once completed, Marcon Properties plans to lease the two buildings to affiliated entity Eastern Exterior Wall Systems, Inc., a company that manufactures prefabricated exterior insulation and finish systems. The site, which is within walking distance of several south side Allentown neighborhoods, could bring 80+ full-time jobs to the city.
