For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

Bethlehem, Pa., April 25, 1996 -- Calling the transaction the "first day of the Renaissance of the Southside" of Bethlehem, the chief executive officer of Bethlehem Steel Corporation announced at a morning news conference that the corporation and Lehigh University have reached an agreement of sale for Bethlehem Steel's office building at 501 E. Third Street.

The building, formerly known as the Bethlehem plant office, will be the home of the SMART Discovery Center, a hands-on science and math learning center. Lehigh University, on behalf of the SMART Center, has received an anonymous gift to apply toward the purchase and renovation of the property. The center, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University and governed by a separate board, currently leases space from Bethlehem Steel at 715 E. Third Street and will move to the new building once renovations are complete.

"The SMART Discovery Center is a key anchor use that will complement the other uses we are working on and expecting to complete over time," said Curtis "Hank" Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer of Bethlehem Steel. "We have had this transaction under discussion for many months, but we could not move it to agreement until the rezoning we sought was in place," he said, referring to Bethlehem City Council's vote to redistrict Bethlehem Steel's southside properties to an industrial redevelopment district to promote redevelopment.

Principals involved in the transaction pointed to the value of a public-private partnership between Lehigh University, the City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Steel to work together for a common goal "that is clearly in the public's interest, has already provided jobs, enhances this neighborhood and improves the quality of life while providing important youth programming," said Mr. Barnette.

Said William Hittinger, chairman of Lehigh University's board of trustees: "Lehigh is pleased to have played a role in getting the Center started, and we fully support its mission to bring math and science alive in the community as a way to contribute to national efforts to achieve scientific literacy for all Americans.

"I especially want to express gratitude for the anonymous gift, which has been directed towards the education of our area's young people," Mr. Hittinger said.

Peter Likins, Lehigh's president, said, "This gift represents a commitment to the children of our community, and we accept our host responsibilities with appreciation of the trust implied."

The SMART Discovery Center welcomes nearly 300 children and their parents on a daily basis and during peak periods that number rises to well over 600. "There's no doubt we can use the space," said Judy Bazler, executive director of the Center. "We've truly grown beyond our current capacity, and this new home will provide a tremendous opportunity to bring new and innovative programs to our region," she said.

"The SMART Discovery Center will be an exciting part of the redevelopment of the city's Southside. Thanks to our generous sponsor and Bethlehem Steel's positive vision for redeveloping its property, children, families and schools will enjoy a first-class facility for years to come," said Russell Leslie, chairman of the board of the SMART Discovery Center.

In addition to exhibits open to the public Monday through Saturday, the center sponsors workshops and enrichment programs for the region's elementary and secondary students and teachers, and is a server site for a national science and technology computer bulletin board. It also hosts the annual JASON Project, which brings together 20,000 students and teachers each year on a live, satellite-broadcast expedition with Dr. Robert Ballard of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

The SMART Discovery Center is a collaboration between The SMART Discovery Center at Lehigh University and the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley and the Bethlehem Junior Woman's Club.