Lehigh County Eyes Data Center Development Near Coca-Cola Park

Lehigh County may take a closer look at a proposed data center in Allentown's East Side, citing concerns about its proximity to county-owned Coca-Cola Park. The developers, J.G. Petrucci, submitted an application on August 5th to build a 146,000-square-foot data center at 1024 N. Bradford St., which is next to the ballpark and Executive Education Academy Charter School.

According to Lehigh County Commissioners Chair Geoff Brace, the county may seek to become an interested party in the development process. This would give them legal standing to gather information and participate in proceedings. 'We don't get involved in a lot of land development conversations in county government,' said Brace. 'But periodically, we are interested parties because we own land in proximity to certain properties, and their development and use becomes of interest to us.'

The data center's developers expect construction to begin in spring 2027 and be completed by winter 2027 if approved.