Family Fun
Center Planned
for Bethlehem Works
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release
BETHLEHEM, Pa., August 11, 1999 -- Bethlehem Steel Corporation has signed a letter of designation with a developer for a family fun center at the Bethlehem Works development on the South Side of Bethlehem.
James J. Lewis, of Lewiston, N.Y., will develop the fun center to be known as "The Fundry at Bethlehem Works." Mr. Lewis is the owner and developer of two family fun centers, named Game Zone, in the Buffalo, N.Y., area. His Game Zone in Tonawanda, N.Y., which Mr. Lewis also operates, was named Business of the Year in 1998 by the Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce for providing family-oriented recreational opportunities.
"Mr. Lewis brings a proven track record of successfully developing the type of family fun center that has long been envisioned for Bethlehem Works," said
Stephen G. Donches, vice president, public affairs, Bethlehem Steel, and president, Bethlehem Development Corporation. "We welcome Jim to the community and look forward to working with him on this venture."
The center will encompass up to 100,000 square feet of space in the existing carpenter shop inside the main gate at Second Street and in a new structure that will be built to the north, adjacent to the building. The entire project will occupy two acres. The center is adjacent to the Preview Center of the National Museum of Industrial History located in the former electrical repair shop, which is a twin building of the carpenter shop.
Mr. Lewis has named the center "The Fundry at Bethlehem Works" to promote the industrial theme of the overall 163-acre development. Inside, patrons will be able to have fun in the 32-lane bowling alley and in up to 40,000 square feet of space for golf and batting cages, a miniature golf course, "soft" play area for young children, a video arcade and virtual reality experiences. Plans also call for a food court and a sit-down restaurant.
Closing on the property is expected this fall with the sale of the building and adjacent property to Mr. Lewis. Construction will begin in the spring, with the opening of the center scheduled for fall 2000. All construction timetables are contingent upon public infrastructure improvements.
On-site parking will be provided by the Bethlehem Works Owners Association, of which "The Fundry at Bethlehem Works" will be a member.
The Bethlehem Works project of Bethlehem Steel is located on 163 acres on the South Side of the City of Bethlehem. The project involves the development of cultural, entertainment and recreational venues including ice skating rinks, multi-plex movie theaters, a hotel-conference center, a swimming/diving complex, a technology center, the Discovery Center of Science and Technology, and supporting restaurants and retail establishments. In addition, the National Museum of Industrial History, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, will be the anchor of the site. The Preview Center for the museum is scheduled to open in 2000.