Posted: 9:05 pm EDT October 8, 2010Updated: 6:49 pm EDT October 10, 2010
EASTON, Pa. -- Third Street in Easton is about to undergo a multimillion dollar revitalization project, Lafayette College is building a new arts campus. It will be very strategically located and not on the hill. Governor Rendell said that the synergy of having young people and arts and cultural events all in one place is nothing short of spectacular. And that's the plan. A spectacular overhaul of Easton's 3rd Street,it's already started with the demolition of the notorious old hub cap store. President of Lafayette College Daniel Weiss says that the area where the hubcap store was is not in this plan other to be green space. It'll just be a lovely green area that you can drive by and remember the hubcap store. Mayor Panto agrees, saying that not only are the buildings going to be beautiful but as the governor said they bring from the hill the true vitality of the college. For the city that means fewer ugly buildings and more college students walking around downtown. Weiss says that most of the work is reusing wonderful old buildings that have been here for years including the ones here on 3rd street but they'll also be building a new theater. The blackbox theater. A theater, sound stage, and film and media production space for students to create their own films. Two buildings will be converted into performing and teaching space, another building, the Former Club Mohican will be turned into a social club for students. The project has been in the works for years. Weiss says they've already put several million dollars into the project they've had the state funding, collectively the project is about a $20 million project. This phase of the project will cost $10 million and was given as a gift from the Williams family. Weiss says that they share their vision to create Easton as an arts community focusing on bringing people here to celebrate the arts to learn about the arts and this project is a way to foster that vision. Copyright 2010 WFMZ. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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