As progress continues on the Vista Technology Park project off of Route 85, Bethlehem officials are taking a great interest in more than automobile traffic through the development.
At a Town Planning Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 18, members were shown a pedestrian circulation map relating to the initial stages of the long-awaited project. Jonathan deForest, the executive vice president of BBL Construction Services, which is in charge of construction at the site, showed board members how the early development will incorporate 3,400 feet of nature trail, 7,300 feet of pedestrian walkway, and another 6,200 feet of shared bicycle lanes. Those numbers are expected to increase as future phases of the project are developed.
“We’re seeing a big shift in corporate America, and in general,” said deForest. “People are embracing the green movement, and the idea of walking out at lunch time, and going to the bank or out for a sandwich.”
While still focusing on the need for development, and in turn, the creation of jobs at the site, one of the main goals is to allow for the development to be accessible to pedestrians, and to make it accessible for those trying to get to other developments, such as the Price Chopper Plaza up the road from Vista Boulevard.
“We’re trying to change the paradigm of suburbs being all automobile,” said George Leveille, the Chairman of the Planning Board.
The board also approved a minor change regarding the elevation of a building within the development.
Check back to spotlightnews.com or read the Oct. 26 edition of The Spotlight for more on this story.
