ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Nearly half of Lehigh County's $118.4 million five-year capital plan is dedicated to renovations at the Cedarbrook Nursing Home, county officials discussed Monday night.
The plan calls for $53.5 million for the second phase of renovations at the home, while leaving open the possibility of converting space in Cedarbrook's B-wing into apartments or personal care.
Lehigh County Board of Commissioners President Geoff Brace said the work shows the county's commitment to serving vulnerable populations.
"When we talk about being committed to (helping) vulnerable citizens, half our budget does exactly that," said Brace.
Members of the county's general services and finance committees met Monday via Zoom to discuss the county's five-year capital plan.
The $118.4 million spending plan contains projects through 2029 and a bond issue of $78.4 million.
Officials said that, fiscally, the county is in good shape, but "there are a number of significant needs to be addressed," according to County Executive Phillips Armstrong in the 2025-29 capital plan booklet.
The 134-page plan includes purchasing county vehicles, parks and recreation projects, road improvements and technology upgrades.
"(You) never realize how much the county is responsible for until you look at the capital plan," said Commissioner Jeffrey Dutt.
The spending plan also includes a five-year investment of $100,000 in personal protective bullet-resistant vests for police officers.
In the capital plan, Sheriff Joseph Hanna wrote, "The purchase and use of bullet-resistant vests for Sheriff's office personnel greatly increases their safety while performing their daily duties and assignments."
Other plan items include nearly $5 million in information technology upgrades and $2.7 million for repaving Riverside Drive "to permit safe travel to and from the (Lehigh County Community Correctional Facility and Lehigh County Center For Recovery)."
Additionally, the plan calls for improvements to the county Center for Recovery.
The plan allocates $11.3 million for preserving agricultural land. The county does this by purchasing "easements" on the land, meaning the farmer still owns the land, but it may only be used for agriculture in perpetuity and may not be developed.
Lehigh County has preserved more than 29,000 acres of farmland, and more is available. The county works with the State of Pennsylvania to save open space.
"There are currently (more than) 50 farms on Lehigh County's farmland preservation program" waitlist, according to the capital plan.
Other big-ticket items for the five-year plan include $9.8 million for bridges, $7.3 million for prison upgrades, $7 million for parks and $6.1 million for information technology.
Coca-Cola Park in Allentown is due for $1 million in work over the five years. According to the plan, the Iron Pigs baseball team's home is in its 17th season. The plan notes, "Maintenance of the facility is required to ensure its viability."
In 2027, Armstrong's plan calls for a $78.4 million bond issue for capital projects.
Armstrong said his proposal strikes a balance.
"I view this plan as being consistent with focusing responsibly (on) the county's assets while recognizing the ongoing need for austerity," Armstrong wrote to the commissioners.
The county executive must send a five-year plan to the board of commissioners annually.
According to Dutt, the capital plan document informs the budget process.
"[The plan] helps a lot in the planning of what our next budget is going to be," Dutt said.
The plan's next steps include opportunities for follow-up questions at the July 10 or July 24 board of commissioners meetings and the potential adoption of the plan on Aug. 14.
