Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release

BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 5, 2001 Bethlehem Steel Corporation has signed a purchase and sale agreement with the Paramount Pavilion Group, LLC for 3.6 acres of land in the former steel plant for the construction of a 70,000-square-foot dual indoor ice skating rink along with an outdoor in-line skating area.

Paramount Pavilion Group is a private investor group formed by three local individuals with strong ties to youth, high school, collegiate, league and professional hockey. The group is composed of Jim Galley, a referee for youth, high school and college hockey; Bob Fyrer, USA Hockey's local area supervisor of officials and a linesman with the American Hockey League, and John Keefe, also a referee for various levels of competitive hockey.

"There has been great anticipation in Bethlehem for the development of Bethlehem Works, and today's agreement between Bethlehem Steel and Paramount Pavilion Groups for construction of a major ice skating facility accelerates the momentum that has been building. This facility will create jobs, bring thousands of people to the South Side and provide a major recreation opportunity for young and old alike," said Stephen G. Donches, vice president, public affairs, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and the executive in charge of the redevelopment efforts.

"From the beginning of Bethlehem Works, we had a skating facility as one of our primary target end uses, and we are delighted that our city will be home to such an outstanding recreational attraction," Mr. Donches added.

"The popularity of ice hockey, figure skating and skating in general is growing nationally and in the Lehigh Valley. It's no secret that many clubs are unable to get the ice time they need and want," said Mr. Galley speaking on behalf of the Paramount Pavilion Group partners. "The Bethlehem Works location also has the advantage of having nearby restaurants, retail and parking both at Bethlehem Works and on the South Side of Bethlehem, making this location the best for our facility in the Lehigh Valley."

The skating facility, to be known as the RCN Center, will have two indoor ice rinks, and each can be used for all levels of hockey, figure skating or recreational skating. Outside, the facility will feature an in-line skating rink for street hockey and roller blading. The facility is also being designed to accommodate non-ice-based events, such as performing arts programs. About 20 people will be employed at the skating facility.

The skating complex will be located at First and Polk Streets, adjacent to the new Technology Center being constructed for OraSure Technologies. "We want to acknowledge the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and Governor Tom Ridge for their leadership in encouraging the brownfield development of former industrial sites like Bethlehem Works. Without Pennsylvania's brownfield law, this success story would not be possible," said Mr. Donches.

The former Bethlehem plant site is the largest, private brownfield under redevelopment in the country,and has been called "a national model" for brownfields by DEP Secretary James Seif and former EPA Administrator Timothy Fields.

Settlement is expected to take place early this summer, with groundbreaking anticipated in late summer. The ice rinks will be open for team play in late summer 2002. Rizzetto Construction Management Inc., Allentown, will serve as construction manager and general contractor for the skating project, creating about 100 construction jobs. Project architect is Waterer + Thorpe, Bryn Mawr, Pa., and project engineer is Schoor DePalma, Manalapan, N.J.

Parking for the skating facility will be provided in neighboring lots that will be improved by the Bethlehem Works Owners Association, whose membership comprises owners of land and facilities in Bethlehem Works.

The ice skating facility is another major project to be announced for Bethlehem Works, the mixed-use development that retains historic and architecturally significant steelmaking-related buildings that will feature a mix of entertainment, recreation, retail, restaurants and cultural venues. The site will be anchored by the National Museum of Industrial History in association with the Smithsonian Institution. The museum's Preview Center and other major components of Bethlehem Works, including movies, retail, restaurants and a family fun center, are expected to begin opening in spring 2002.

Bethlehem Works and the contiguous Bethlehem Commerce Center, a 1600-acre site for distribution, transportation, warehousing and industrial businesses, are being developed as a public/private partnership to expand the community's economic base and to return jobs to the 1,800-acre site. The Enterprise Development Company, Columbia, Md., which is under contract to Bethlehem Steel, is the master developer and owner's representative for the two projects.

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