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

Parks, Trails, and Street Infrastructure

Public Safety

  • City of Bethlehem Fire Department works with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 735 to fill vacancies faster
    Lehigh Valley News

  • City of Bethlehem purchases new fire engines to update the fleet
    City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2024

  • City of Bethlehem spends millions to update Police Department vehicle fleet
    City of Bethlehem Budget Address 2025

  • City of Bethlehem adds new paramedics for the first time since 2007
    WFMZ

  • City of Bethlehem expands Community Connections initiative to pair Police with Health Bureau employees
    Lehigh Valley News

  • City 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 News

  • City of Bethlehem and Bethlehem Housing Authority partner on the planned transformation of Pembroke neighborhood
    Bethlehem Choice
    Lehigh Valley News

  • City of Bethlehem releases "Opening Doors" housing attainability and affordability strategy
    City of Bethlehem Website

  • City 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 Recording

  • City of Bethlehem becomes 26th American World Heritage Site
    Lehigh Valley News

  • Bethlehem named top 100 place to live in America three years in a row
    Livability.com

  • Bethlehem named one of the top 15 Christmas destinations in the world
    CNN

Sustainability

Neighborhood Investment

  • Northside Alive neighborhood revitalization initiative
    Project Website

  • SouthSide Tomorrow - a neighborhood investment partnership between Community Action Development Bethlehem and the City of Bethlehem
    Project Website

  • City completes South Bethlehem Community Center feasibility study
    Lehigh Valley News

  • City of Bethlehem launches We Build Bethlehem, a community investment strategy
    Project Website

  • City of Bethlehem establishes Community Recovery Fund to assist non-profits following COVID-19
    The Morning Call

  • City of Bethlehem launches Live in the Garden concert series
    Lehigh Valley Live

  • City of Bethlehem reopens Westside Pool
    The Morning Call

  • City 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 Live

  • Bethlehem joins Allentown and Easton to partner with Lehigh Valley Health Network on Blue Zones initiative
    Lehigh Valley Business

  • City of Bethlehem joins Three City Coalition with Allentown and Easton to tackle regional issues
    The Morning Call

  • City of Bethlehem modernizes special event permit process, shortening approval time
    City of Bethlehem Website

  • City of Bethlehem launches citywide equity plan
    Lehigh Valley News

  • City of Bethlehem brings back St. Patrick’s Day Parade in conjunction with Celtic Cultural Alliance
    The Morning Call

  • City of Bethlehem works with ArtsQuest to bring Musikfest back to Payrow Plaza in City Hall Complex
    Lehigh Valley Live

  • City of Bethlehem launches The Bethlehem Corner to tell community leaders’ stories
    City of Bethlehem YouTube Channel

  • City of Bethlehem debuts new health van to provide neighborhood services
    The Morning Call

  • City of Bethlehem launches “Better Blocks for Bethlehem,” a cross-departmental program to promote violence and injury prevention at the neighborhood level
    WFMZ