Lehigh County · City of Allentown · #2026-02-midway-manor-elementary-modular-classroo
Midway Manor Elementary modular classroom building
1103 N Tacoma Street, City of Allentown, PA · 9,856 sq ft non-residential, school
About this project
The Allentown School District would demolish a 1,600 sq ft, two-classroom modular building and an existing maintenance building. In their place it would build a new 9,856 sq ft, ten-classroom modular building, with ADA ramps, a driveway crossover, and 23 new perimeter shade trees.
County recommendation: Supports, with comments
Issues raised: Add bicycle parking, Consider solar, geothermal, or greywater reuse, Shade trees support sidewalk and green space goals
- Applicant
- Allentown School District
- Engineer / designer
- Barry Isett & Associates
- Plan type
- Land use of regional significance review (education facility)
- Land use
- school
Filing history
- 2026-02-24 · #2026-02-midway-manor-elementary-modular-classroo · Land use of regional significance review (education facility) · 9,856 sq ft
Map pin is approximate.
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The Allentown School District wants to replace two older buildings at Midway Manor Elementary, 1103 N Tacoma Street, with one new modular classroom building. The buildings to be removed are a 1,600 sq ft modular with two classrooms and a maintenance building. The new building would be about 9,856 sq ft with ten classrooms. The plan also includes accessible ramps, a driveway crossover and 23 new shade trees around the edges of the site.
Local news coverage found that the school board approved spending up to about $1.6 million on the modular classrooms. Neighbors, including the community association, objected. They feared the work would take out the park concession stand that raises money for youth sports and events. Reports say the district then revised the design to keep the concession and storage areas. One report says the units are meant to be temporary. Reports differ on details of the board vote.
What it could mean nearby
- Park and community space: residents worry about the concession stand and shared park area on the school property, though the design was reportedly changed to keep them.
- Schools: ten classrooms would add teaching space at the school.
- Access and traffic: the driveway crossover and ADA ramps change how people enter and move around the site.
- Greenery: 23 new perimeter shade trees are planned.
Where it stands
The school board has reportedly approved the project's funding, and the county filing is dated 2026-02-24. The city planning commission was scheduled to review it in March 2026. The outcome of that review was not found. After the commission, final plan approval and permits usually come before construction.
- Mar 10, 2026 Allentown Planning Commission review scheduled, per news coverage
- Feb 24, 2026 Latest filing in county planning records
Want to weigh in? The Allentown Planning Commission and the Allentown School Board take up the project, and residents can comment at their public meetings. Check the city and district websites for agendas.
Who's behind it
Allentown School District · The public school district for the City of Allentown, working here with the engineering firm Barry Isett & Associates.
Around the web
- Allentown school board approves modular expansion; Midway Manor residents voice concernsWFMZReports the board's approval of the modular classrooms and neighbors' concerns about the park concession stand.
- Dispute over school expansion plans at Midway Manor park moves to Allentown Planning CommissionLehigh Valley NewsSays the dispute was heading to the city planning commission, with a review scheduled for March 10.
- Allentown School District's expansion plans could rip out 'the heart of Midway Manor'Lehigh Valley NewsDescribes residents' worries about losing the park concession area to the expansion.
Planning terms explained
- Modular building
- A building made in sections off-site and assembled on the property.
- ADA ramp
- A sloped walkway that lets people using wheelchairs or strollers reach a building.
- Driveway crossover
- A paved connection that lets vehicles cross or link between parts of a site.
- Planning commission
- A city advisory board that reviews development plans and makes recommendations.
- Land development plan
- A formal plan showing what will be built on a site, reviewed by the municipality.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $3.4M
- ~49 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~24 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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