Brownfields

Sustainability Pilot

June 2009

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA

Conceptual Design Using Low Impact Development
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 

BROWNFIELDS SUSTAINABILITY PILOT 

THE WATERFRONT, ALLENTOWN, PA 

Prepared for: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 

Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization 

Washington, DC 20460

Prepared by: 

Tetra Tech EM Inc. 

1881 Campus Commons Dr.

Ste. 200

Reston, VA 20191

SRA International, Inc. (Contract No. EP-W-07-023)

3434 Washington Boulevard 

Arlington, VA 22201 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 

BROWNFIELDS SUSTAINABILITY PILOT 

THE WATERFRONT, ALLENTOWN, PA 

INTRODUCTION 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, 

and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse 

brownfields. Under this program, EPA’s Brownfields Sustainability Pilots are providing technical 

assistance to support communities in achieving greener, more sustainable assessment, cleanup, and 

redevelopment at their brownfields projects. EPA selected The Waterfront in Allentown, PA, where a 

mixed-use redevelopment is planned, as a brownfields sustainability pilot. As part of this pilot, Tetra 

Tech EM Inc. (Tetra Tech), through a subcontract to SRA International, Inc., provided technical 

assistance to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) and the site developer, 

Dunn Twiggar Company LLC (Dunn Twiggar), to integrate low impact development (LID) techniques 

and features for stormwater management into the site master plan. These LID stormwater management 

practices at the site will (1) help reduce or eliminate stormwater discharges and associated impacts from 

the development on the Lehigh River and (2) promote sustainable redevelopment opportunities elsewhere 

along the Lehigh River and in the City of Allentown. 

This technical memorandum briefly describes the site and the master plan, indicates design constraints 

considered, specifies recommended LID stormwater techniques and features for sustainable 

redevelopment of the site, and offers other recommendations. The Waterfront master redevelopment plan 

prepared by Dunn Twiggar is included as Attachment A. Conceptual design drawings prepared as part of 

this pilot are included in Attachment B. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain 

maps for the site are included in Attachment C. 

SITE DESCRIPTION 

The Waterfront redevelopment is located in a 26-acre Brownfields site on the west bank of the Lehigh 

River, about 0.5 mile south of Highway 22. The site is centrally located within a few miles of downtown 

Allentown and the Lehigh Valley International Airport. The site is currently occupied by multiple 

commercial and industrial businesses accessible by both paved and unpaved roadways and parking areas. 

Large, empty, aboveground storage tanks are present on the northern and southern portions of the site. 

1 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

Public access to the riverfront is currently not available. The current site land use is industrial, involving 

iron and steel manufacturing and tank storage. 

The site was built on fill material consisting primarily of steel slag and gravel. The fill material was 

observed to reach 6-8 feet below ground surface (bgs) along the western portion of the site and 10-14 feet 

bgs along the eastern portion of the site. Based on previous groundwater sampling, groundwater was 

found at 15 to 16 feet bgs. As part of a separate project for EPA Region 3, Tetra Tech sampled soil and 

groundwater at the site in July 2008 for metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Analytical 

sampling data for groundwater indicated VOCs exceeding the EPA Region 3 tap water screening level 

(SL) but below the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) medium-specific 

concentrations (MSC) for non-residential groundwater, except for one groundwater sample in which the 

benzene concentration exceeded the PADEP MSC. Manganese and iron concentrations in groundwater 

were detected above their EPA SLs. Analyses of soil samples indicated that the metals lead, cadmium, 

and zinc were major soil contaminants at the site, with concentrations above their respective PADEP 

MSCs. Soil contamination possibly resulted from leachate of slag fill material at the site (Tetra Tech 

2009). 

Tetra Tech conducted a site visit in December 2008 to verify available topographic information regarding 

the riverbank, collect additional field observations, and meet with LVEDC, the developer, and local 

regulatory agencies. Based on field observations and topographic maps (Barry Isett & Associates 2008), 

the riverfront bank within the site boundaries is approximately 0.5 mile long with a typical slope of 

1V:1H. A small area just north of the Tilghman Street Bridge has a flatter slope of approximately 1V:2H. 

At the time of the visit, the bank appeared stable, in large part due to the presence of large trees and other 

vegetation. 

The proposed redevelopment master plan includes approximately 1,000,000 square feet (SF) of building 

area in an urban setting with residential, retail, and office space. In addition, the plan includes space for 

public parking, walking trails, and other features designed to increase appreciation for the historical, 

cultural, and environmental importance of the Lehigh River. 

DESIGN CONSTRAINTS ON LID STORMWATER PRACTICES 

Four major design constraints were considered during the identification and conceptual design of LID 

stormwater management practices for The Waterfront and these constraints should be considered during 

2 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

subsequent detailed design and construction activities. These constraints include significant features of 

the master redevelopment plan for the site, soil and groundwater contamination, construction in the 

floodplain, and riverfront bank limitations. They are discussed below. 

Master Redevelopment Plan 

As previously discussed, Dunn Twiggar prepared The Waterfront master redevelopment plan (see 

Attachment A). When developing LID stormwater management practices for the redevelopment, Tetra 

Tech considered the layout, building sizes, and other significant features of this master plan. In addition, 

the zoning requirements for riverfront property along the Lehigh River were considered (City of 

Allentown 2007). None of Tetra Tech’s proposed LID stormwater practices will require signification 

modifications to the master redevelopment plan. 

Soil and Groundwater Contamination 

Based on available sampling results (Tetra Tech 2009), the groundwater at this site is contaminated with 

VOCs, manganese, and iron. Soil is contaminated with metals─primarily lead, cadmium, and zinc─and 

remediation may be required. Should site remediation be required, stormwater management would 

usually be limited to non-structural best management practices (BMP) that address impacts from 

earthwork and resulting migration of contaminated soil and groundwater. Site remediation alternatives 

may include removing contaminated material from the site, implementing isolation and capping, or 

mixing with clean soil at the site. Depending on a remedial alternative that may be required for the 

Waterfront, some LID stormwater management practices would not be appropriate for redevelopment. 

For example, LID stormwater management practices that encourage infiltration may be unsuitable if the 

contaminants have not been completely removed from the site or the residual soil contamination is 

soluble. 

Floodplain Construction 

Floodplains are lowland areas adjacent to rivers, lakes, or oceans that become inundated when extremely 

high water levels occur. Their value to the natural environment includes maintenance of water quality, 

provision of wildlife habitat, and flood water control. PADEP is the regulating agency responsible for 

floodplain activities throughout the State. Floodplains along the project riverfront were identified using 

the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) found in Attachment C. As shown in the maps, a portion 

of the site, adjacent to the Lehigh River, is located in the 100 year floodplain zone. Title 25, Chapter 105 

of the Pennsylvania Code requires a water obstruction or encroachment permit from PADEP for any 

development activity within a floodway or in floodplain areas (Pennsylvania Department of 

3 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

Environmental Protection [PADEP] 2002b). The proposed redevelopment site will apparently fill in the 

floodplain; therefore, the design of any proposed stormwater structure should account for high water level 

conditions and the permitting issues associated with construction in the floodplain. 

Riverfront Bank Limitations 

The existing bank of the Lehigh River along the site is significantly narrow, approximately 15 feet wide 

(horizontal distance) from the edge of the water to the existing top of bank. The slope of the bank is also 

very steep, with slopes around 1V:1H for most of the 0.5 mile of shoreline within the site boundaries. 

Because of the narrow shoreline, the number of viable LID stormwater management practices is limited. 

Most LID practices include flatter slopes, so widening banks to achieve this would reduce the land 

available for development. Currently, the bank is apparently stable, in part due to the presence of large 

trees and other vegetation. Removal of non-native and other trees may be required as part of the 

development for aesthetic purposes and to create desirable views of the river. Tree removal or other 

restoration work in the shoreline banks could render the bank unstable. Any LID stormwater 

management practices proposed at the riverfront should be assessed with these stability constraints in 

mind. 

RECOMMENDED LID STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 

Considering the design constraints described above, several potential LID stormwater management 

practice were identified for The Waterfront site. These “green” practices are discussed below in the 

following three categories: (1) erosion and sediment control practices, (2) riverfront features, and (3) site 

redevelopment features. Erosion and sediment control practices could be applied throughout the site 

during construction activities. Potential locations for implementing riverfront and site redevelopment 

features at the site are shown in Attachment B on Sheet 2. The features proposed are concepts based on 

limited available information; therefore, these features and their locations would need alteration during 

detailed engineering and site design to determine their appropriateness and capacity for the 

redevelopment. 

Erosion and Sediment Control Practices 

During construction, site disturbance can impact the environment through soil erosion and sedimentation 

in nearby water bodies. In addition to minimizing areas of earth disturbance and soil compaction, the 

following green practices promise other benefits and should be considered during construction activities 

at the site: 

4 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

• Silt Fences: Silt fences are appropriate at the top of the banks and should be installed 

perpendicular to the slope to retain sediments from construction. A detail for silt fences is shown 

in Appendix B on Sheet 3. 

• Turbidity Barriers: Installing turbidity barriers in deep water bodies around the construction 

area will help confine sedimentation to smaller areas. A detail for turbidity barriers is shown in 

Appendix B on Sheet 3. 

• Erosion Control Blanket: Erosion control blankets are applied on disturbed land before 

permanent vegetation is established. If the river shoreline at the site is disturbed during

construction, erosion control blankets can be used on the slope to establish and reinforce 

vegetation. A detail for an erosion control blanket is shown in Appendix B on Sheet 3. 

• Sedimentation Basins: During construction, runoff should be minimized by directing water 

outside disturbed areas into holding basins or vegetated depression areas. 

• Buffer Zone with Temporary Seeding: Utilizing a buffer zone with temporary native seeding 

or covering exposed soil with erosion control blankets will help decrease soil erosion. 

• Existing Inlet Protection: Currently, the site has a network of stormwater pipes that discharge 

directly to the Lehigh River. Providing protection to the inlets or catch basins, before the 

stormwater system is removed from the site, will help reduce sediment loss during construction 

activities. Inlet protection products act as sediment barriers that filter runoff before it enters the 

stormwater system. Typical inlet protection products include catch basin sediment bags, curve 

inlet and ditch pavement filters, and grate inlet boxes. 

The erosion and sediment control features proposed during construction of The Waterfront should comply 

with the requirements of Chapter 102 of Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Environmental Protection: 

“Erosion and Sediment Control” (PADEP 2002a). 

Riverfront Features 

The riverfront is one of the major assets of The Waterfront redevelopment. Creating additional green 

space along the riverwalk and enhancing the existing banks will create opportunities for recreation and 

add value to the community. LID practices can be designed and implemented in the riverfront to 

preserve, enhance, and protect the riverfront, including the following: 

• Soil Bioengineering Techniques to Naturally Reinforce Bank Slopes: Currently, the riverfront 

bank is apparently stabilized in part due to the presence of large trees and other vegetation. 

Removal of non-native or other undesirable trees and plants may be required as part of the 

development for aesthetic purposes and to create desirable views of the river. Undesirable plants 

are usually removed by mechanical methods (herbicides, track-mounted equipment for brush 

removal), but in some sensitive or difficult areas, hand clearing with portable tools might be the 

only appropriate method. However, tree removal or other restoration work on the riverfront could 

cause instability of the bank. Soil bioengineering is the use of plant material, living or dead, to 

alleviate environmental bank instability problems such as shallow rapid landslides, and eroding 

slopes and streambanks. In soil bioengineering systems, plants are an important structural 

5 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

component, as well as an aesthetic component. This approach to slope stabilization requires a 

true partnership between engineering geologists, maintenance personnel, civil engineers, and 

landscape architects. Examples of soil bioengineering systems are numerous, and selection of the 

appropriate system is critical to successful restoration. Soil bioengineering often mimics nature 

by using locally available materials and a minimum of heavy equipment. Plants that can resist 

the mechanical stresses of erosion, floods, and landslides─while developing strong, stabilizing 

root systems─are best suited for soil bioengineering applications. Examples of riparian plants 

suitable for soil bioengineering work on steep slopes similar to the slopes at The Waterfront site 

include willow, dogwood, cottonwood, big leaf maple, spruce, cedar, aspen, and alder (U.S. 

Department of Agriculture [USDA] 2000). Alternatively, it might be possible to salvage similar 

native species from a nearby area, if available. A single species may serve the primary structural 

requirement of the vegetation in a soil bioengineered system. However, a mixture of native 

species with varying, but complementary, characteristics is preferable. 

Two soil bioengineering techniques appropriate for The Waterfront site are brush layering and 

live fascines. Sheet 4 of the conceptual drawings in Appendix B includes details for these 

techniques. Brushlayering consists of inserting live, cut branches or brush between successive 

lifts or layers of compacted soil. This process works best in conjunction with construction of a 

fill slope. The tips of the branches protrude just beyond the face of the fill where they intercept 

rainfall, slow runoff, and filter sediment out of the slope runoff. The stems of the branches 

extend back into the slope in much the same manner as conventional, inert reinforcements. 

However, unlike conventional reinforcements such as geogrids, geotextiles and tieback anchors, 

the brushlayers root along their lengths and also act as horizontal slope drains. Horizontal drains 

are created by the void spaces between the brushlayer roots and soil. These natural drains 

intercept groundwater in the slope and reduce slope stability problems from subsurface seepage. 

This drainage function is very important and can greatly improve mass stability by redirecting the 

water flow direction. Brushlayers alone will suffice to stabilize a slope where the main problem 

is surficial erosion or shallow face sliding; sandy slopes with little or no cohesion fall into this 

category. Deeper seated sliding tends to occur in embankment slopes composed of more finegrained, cohesive soils; this situation may require use of biotechnical stabilization. For The 

Waterfront redevelopment, the west part of the site, adjacent to the Lehigh River, appears to be 

located below the 100-year baseflood elevation (see Attachment C). Since the site and the bank 

slope may need to be filled to an elevation above the baseflood elevation, the brushlayering 

technique may be an appropriate reinforcement technique. 

Live fascines are long bundles of branch cuttings made from living woody plant material bound 

together into sausage-like structures. The bundles are laid across terraces and spliced together at 

each end. Terraces are cuts in the slope that break-up the slope length to encourage native plant 

seed collection and growth. Vegetation is planted between terraces. This immediately reduces 

surface erosion in steep and rocky slopes where digging is difficult. The cut branches are 

expected to grow, producing roots for additional soil reinforcement and top growth for surface 

protection. The live fascines are usually installed from the normal water elevation upward along 

the face of an eroded streambank in order to protect the bank toe and bank face. They are also 

useful over the crown of the bank slope to improve erosion control, infiltration, and other riparian 

zone functions. 

• Biotechnical Stabilization (Living Wall Systems): Biotechnical stabilization is similar to soil 

bioengineering except that it integrates or combines the use of living vegetation and inert 

structural components. Live cuttings and stems are purposely imbedded and arranged in the 

ground where they serve as soil reinforcements, horizontal drains, barriers to earth movement, 

and hydraulic pumps or wicks. Live plants and plant parts are used in conjunction with 

6 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

geotextiles or geogrids. The live cut stems and branches provide immediate reinforcement; 

secondary stabilization occurs as a result of adventitious rooting that occurs along the length of 

buried stems. The use of tensile inclusions (geotextile or grids) makes it possible to repair slope 

failures or to construct steepened slopes. Biotechnical stabilization is appropriate for deeper 

seated sliding that occurs in embankment slopes composed of more fine-grained, cohesive soils. 

These biotechnical stabilization techniques are also called vegetated geotextiles or living walls 

systems (Gray and Sotir 1995). A detail of geogrids with brushlayering is shown in Appendix B, 

Sheet 4. 

• Naturalized Detention Areas with Wetland Vegetation: Naturalized detention areas with 

wetland vegetation emulate natural wetland systems by utilizing native plants along the water’s 

edge and on side slopes. The function of these areas is to provide flood protection, remove 

pollutants, and create wildlife habitat. Naturalized detention requires wider areas of riverfront 

with flatter slopes. Given the current shoreline conditions at The Waterfront, the area near the 

river just north of the Tilghman Bridge could be used to create a naturalized detention area with 

wetland vegetation. This area is appropriate because it is the only area with flatter slopes along 

the riverfront site. The design of this naturalized detention area must comply with floodplain 

construction regulations. Naturalized detention areas could be created in other areas along the 

riverfront, but would require regrading the shoreline to create wider areas with flatter slopes. 

However, this would reduce the area of land on the site that could be redeveloped. Details and 

location of the recommended naturalized area is shown in the conceptual drawings in Appendix B 

on Sheet 3. 

• Infiltration Trenches and Filter Strips: Infiltration trenches are linear stormwater BMPs 

consisting of a continuously perforated pipe at a minimum slope in a stone-filled trench. An 

infiltration trench can be part of a stormwater conveyance system and is designed so that runoff 

from large storm events is conveyed through the pipe with some volume reduction. During small 

storm events, volume reduction may be significant, with little or no discharge from the trench. 

All infiltration trenches are designed with a positive overflow. Infiltration trenches are more 

effective and have a longer life when they include some form of pretreatment such as vegetated 

filter strips (EPA 1999). Infiltration trenches in combination with filter strips can be used at the 

Waterfront site along the riverwalk to catch stormwater from impervious areas located to the east 

of the riverwalk and prevent its discharge to the river, as shown in the conceptual drawings. 

Sheet 3 in Appendix B shows a typical detail of an infiltration trench. 

• Riverwalk with Pervious Pavement: The use of pervious pavement for the riverwalk will help 

reduce runoff and attenuate flows during small storm events. Pervious pavement consists of a 

pervious surface course underlain by a stone bed of uniformly graded and clean aggregate with a 

void space of at least 40%. The pervious pavement may consist of pervious asphalt, pervious 

concrete, or pervious pavement units (pavers). Stormwater draining through the pervious surface 

is temporarily held in the voids of the stone bed and then slowly drains into the underlying, 

uncompacted soil mantle. The stone bed can be designed with an overflow control structure to 

control peak rates during large storm events and to drain soils with low permeability (PADEP 

2006). Details of pervious pavement are included in Appendix B on Sheet 6. For the riverwalk, 

pervious concrete pavement is appropriate as it provides a smooth surface for bikers and 

rollerbladers. 

7 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

Site Redevelopment Features 

Several green practices could be implemented throughout The Waterfront redevelopment site. The main 

objectives of implementing green practices for redevelopment are to (1) minimize creation of impervious 

area, (2) maximize stormwater infiltration (if possible), and (3) reduce stormwater from the site by 

capturing runoff at the source and dispersing it to a number of BMPs located throughout the site (rather 

than conveying and concentrating runoff to just a few locations). Green practices recommended for the 

site redevelopment include: 

• Pervious Pavement: Pervious pavement can be used at The Waterfront site on local streets and 

sidewalks. As previously discussed, stormwater draining through the pervious surface is 

temporarily held in the voids of the stone bed and then slowly drains into the underlying, 

uncompacted soil. The stone bed can be designed with an overflow control structure to control 

peak rates during large storm events and to connect the pervious pavement to a bioretention area 

(PADEP 2006). Sheet 2 of the conceptual design drawings, on Appendix B, shows potential 

locations of pervious pavement at the Waterfront site. Details of different types of pervious 

pavement are shown on Sheet 6 in Appendix B. The pervious pavement may consist of pervious 

asphalt, pervious concrete, or pervious pavement units (pavers). 

• Bioretention Areas (Rain Gardens and Vegetated Swales): Bioretention is a practice to 

manage and treat stormwater runoff by using a conditioned planting soil bed and planting 

materials to filter runoff stored within a shallow depression. Bioretention provides good options 

for water quality BMPs on all sites, including brownfield sites. Bio-retention coupled with 

infiltration should be considered on brownfield sites where all soil contaminants have been 

removed during remediation, or where only non-soluble contaminants remain. On Brownfields 

sites where soluble contaminants are still present in the soil, bio-retention BMPs should be 

designed so that all water passing through the planting soil is directed to an overflow and not 

permitted to infiltrate (PADEP 2006). Bioretention areas considered for The Waterfront site 

include rain gardens and vegetated swales. Details of these BMPs are included on the conceptual 

design drawings in Appendix B, Sheet 6. 

• Green Roofs: Green roofs are vegetated roofs that consist of shallow soil thickness (usually 6 

inches) and an engineered media with waterproof system used to retain much of the rainwater that 

falls on the roof. This BMP is very effective in areas where subsurface systems are not feasible 

or there is need to reduce stormwater runoff. They also serve other purposes such as energy 

savings within buildings through natural cooling and extension of roof longevity (PADEP 2006). 

Green roofs could be installed on flat, large buildings planned for The Waterfront to minimize 

runoff from impervious roof surfaces. The structural design of the buildings that will hold the 

green roofs should account for the additional weight of the soil material. Green roofs can have 

extensive or intensive types of vegetation. Extensive vegetation plants such as sedums and 

prairie flowers can tolerate almost any kind of weather conditions, require soil depths of 6 inches 

or less, and abide low maintenance with no irrigation. Intensive vegetation plants include hardy 

perennials, native flowers, and shrubs; this vegetation type roof is heavier, with soil depths of 6-

24 inches, and requires higher maintenance. If intensive vegetation is used, the green roof acts 

similar to a rain garden and can provide aesthetic and architectural value as well. 

8 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

• Cisterns and Rain Barrels: Cisterns and rain barrels are rain catchment and storage units that 

can be placed in corners of structured parking lots, inside buildings, on the outside walls of 

buildings, underground, in adjacent alleys, alongside elevator shafts, and at other locations 

deemed feasible by the designer. The shape, size, and location of this BMP require very little 

land area. Water collected this way can be re-used for non-potable applications such as fire 

suppression, drip irrigation, lawn sprinkling, building cooling, toilet flushing, and recreational 

water (PADEP 2006). Cisterns, supplemented with potable water, could also feed small 

fountains. Existing tanks at the site could be refurbished for use as cisterns. 

RECOMMENDED SUPPORT STUDIES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES 

To facilitate the selection and detailed design and integration of LID techniques, and before incorporating 

these features for stormwater management in The Waterfront site master plan, the following additional 

support studies and other activities are recommended: 

• Shoreline Tree Survey: A shoreline tree survey to inventory tree species and sizes should be 

conducted to identify (1) non-native tree species for removal and (2) native tree species that 

should be left in place for shoreline stability or aesthetic purposes. As discussed previously, in 

areas where tree or other vegetation removal is determined to be necessary for redevelopment, 

soil bioengineering techniques to naturally reinforce bank slopes or biotechnical stabilization 

should be considered to stabilize slopes where necessary. 

• Geotechnical Investigation for Soil Permeability: A geotechnical soil survey should be 

conducted to determine the soil permeability where the LID stormwater features that encourage 

infiltration will be implemented. Design and effectiveness of LID stormwater features depend 

significantly on infiltration capacity of the soils. If soil permeability is found to be low, 

underdrains should be added to the LID design. 

• Geotechnical Investigation for Soil Stability: An analysis of the soil stability of the Lehigh 

River bank within the project site should be conducted to identify the potential soil problems that 

could arise when the slopes are altered or vegetation is removed. Also, it is important to 

determine the soil stability after raising the bank with fill to levels above the baseflood elevation. 

9 Tetra Tech 
Brownfields Sustainability Pilot 

The Waterfront, Allentown, PA 

REFERENCES 

Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. 2008. ALTA/ACSM Survey Plan for LSS Realty Corporation Inc., City of 

Allentown. Topographic Survey for The Waterfront Site. 

City of Allentown. 2007. Draft Overlay Zoning District for Riverfront Property Along the Lehigh River. 

City of Allentown, Lehigh County, PA. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1999. Low-Impact Development Design Strategies – An 

Integrated Design Approach. Prepared by Prince George’s County, Maryland, Department of 

Environmental Resources. Largo, MD. June. 

Gray, Donald and Robbin Sotir. 1995. Biotechnical Stabilization of Steepened Slopes. Prepared for the 

Transportation Research Board 746th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. January 22-28. 

PADEP. 2002a. Pennsylvania Code, Title 25. Environmental Protection, Chapter 102. Erosion and 

Sediment Control. Harrisburg, PA. December 28. 

PADEP. 2002b. Pennsylvania Code, Title 25. Environmental Protection, Chapter 105. Dam Safety and 

Waterway Management. Harrisburg, PA. December. 

PADEP. 2006. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. December 30. 

Tetra Tech EM Inc. (Tetra Tech). 2009. Draft Trip Report for the Former Lehigh Structural Steel Site 

Groundwater and Soil Investigation. Prepared for EPA Region 3, EPA contract N0. EP-S3-05-

02. Allentown, PA. March 20. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2000. Soil Bioengineering – An Alternative for 

Roadside Management, A Practical Guide. By Lisa Lewis, USDA Forest Service. San Dimas, 

CA. September. 

10 Tetra Tech 
ATTACHMENT A 

SITE REDEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN 
THE WATERFRONT

CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN

FURNACE STREET 

TILGHMAN 

STREET 

TOWNHOMES AMPHITHEATER RIVERWALK 

Exhibit A 
ATTACHMENT B 

CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS 






ATTACHMENT C 

FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPS FOR THE WATERFRONT SITE