Bethlehem Progress
Since taking office as Bethlehem's 14th Mayor in January 2022, J. William Reynolds has led the city through a period of significant growth and revitalization. His administration's focus on economic development, public safety, housing affordability, sustainability, and community engagement has garnered both local and national recognition.
Reynolds Administration Accomplishments 2022-2024
City Finances
City of Bethlehem focuses on economic sustainability
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem cuts debt by almost 50 percent since 2015
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025City of Bethlehem’s bond rating ranked #1 in Pennsylvania among most populated cities
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025City of Bethlehem maintains lowest Earned Income Tax percentage in Pennsylvania among most populated cities
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025City of Bethlehem saves millions by avoiding capital borrowings
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2024City passes $1 billion in private investment since 2021
WFMZ
Parks, Trails, and Street Infrastructure
City of Bethlehem rebuilds Fairview Park
Lehigh Valley News
YouTube SummaryCity of Bethlehem to rebuild Friendship Park in $1.5 million overhaul
Lehigh Valley News
Northside 2027 Project WebsiteCity of Bethlehem acquires last section of South Bethlehem Greenway to close a critical trail gap
WFMZCity of Bethlehem awarded nearly $10 million to make major safety and pedestrian improvements to Broad Street
WFMZCity of Bethlehem increases street paving by nearly 50 percent in two years
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025City of Bethlehem opens Monocacy Way Trail connection
Lehigh Valley LiveCity of Bethlehem improves Saucon Park in South Bethlehem
WFMZ
Public Safety
City of Bethlehem Fire Department works with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 735 to fill vacancies faster
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem purchases new fire engines to update the fleet
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2024City of Bethlehem spends millions to update Police Department vehicle fleet
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025City of Bethlehem adds new paramedics for the first time since 2007
WFMZCity of Bethlehem expands Community Connections initiative to pair Police with Health Bureau employees
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem partners with State of Pennsylvania to offer recruiting bonuses for new police officers
Lehigh Valley News
Housing
City of Bethlehem partners with Lehigh Valley Industrial Park to launch Gateway on 4th mixed-income housing development
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Housing Authority partner on the planned transformation of Pembroke neighborhood
Bethlehem Choice
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem releases "Opening Doors" housing attainability and affordability strategy
City of Bethlehem WebsiteCity of Bethlehem partners with Lehigh Conference of Churches to create new housing
City Council Memo
Community Development
Patillas, Puerto Rico announced as City of Bethlehem’s sixth sister city
WFMZ
Initiative Release RecordingCity of Bethlehem becomes 26th American World Heritage Site
Lehigh Valley NewsBethlehem named top 100 place to live in America three years in a row
Livability.comBethlehem named one of the top 15 Christmas destinations in the world
CNN
Sustainability
City of Bethlehem launches Bethlehem Climate Challenge
WFMZ
Initiative Release RecordingCity of Bethlehem hires first Sustainability Manager
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem implements Climate Action Plan
Lehigh Valley News
Event RecordingCity of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Parking Authority partner to bring bike culture downtown with new Coalition for Appropriate Transportation retail space in Walnut Street Garage
WFMZ
Initiative Release RecordingCity of Bethlehem announces 2025 Bike Master Plan and Complete Streets Plan to make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists
City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025
Neighborhood Investment
Northside Alive neighborhood revitalization initiative
Project WebsiteSouthSide Tomorrow - a neighborhood investment partnership between Community Action Development Bethlehem and the City of Bethlehem
Project WebsiteCity completes South Bethlehem Community Center feasibility study
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem launches We Build Bethlehem, a community investment strategy
Project WebsiteCity of Bethlehem establishes Community Recovery Fund to assist non-profits following COVID-19
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem launches Live in the Garden concert series
Lehigh Valley LiveCity of Bethlehem reopens Westside Pool
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem eyes Linden Street two-way conversion to improve safety and neighborhood cohesion
WFMZ
Other Accomplishments
City of Bethlehem hires first Director of Equity and Inclusion
Lehigh Valley LiveBethlehem joins Allentown and Easton to partner with Lehigh Valley Health Network on Blue Zones initiative
Lehigh Valley BusinessCity of Bethlehem joins Three City Coalition with Allentown and Easton to tackle regional issues
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem modernizes special event permit process, shortening approval time
City of Bethlehem WebsiteCity of Bethlehem launches citywide equity plan
Lehigh Valley NewsCity of Bethlehem brings back St. Patrick’s Day Parade in conjunction with Celtic Cultural Alliance
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem works with ArtsQuest to bring Musikfest back to Payrow Plaza in City Hall Complex
Lehigh Valley LiveCity of Bethlehem launches The Bethlehem Corner to tell community leaders’ stories
City of Bethlehem YouTube ChannelCity of Bethlehem debuts new health van to provide neighborhood services
The Morning CallCity of Bethlehem launches “Better Blocks for Bethlehem,” a cross-departmental program to promote violence and injury prevention at the neighborhood level
WFMZ