Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds ‘03 graduated from then-Moravian College more than 20 years ago, and he is the first to acknowledge that his education has continued to inform his work as mayor.
Reynolds was the youngest Bethlehem City Council member, and is now nearing the end of his first mayoral term. He announced his campaign for reelection on Feb. 20.
“I always say Moravian helped me understand what it’s like to see issues through other people’s eyes,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes the spotlight’s on you, but a lot of times, it’s not on you, and understanding how to celebrate other people is central to what I think life is like at Moravian.”
This ability to view challenges from multiple perspectives has helped inform his decision-making as mayor, he said, especially when navigating difficult issues such as housing, homelessness, climate change, and community development.
Reynolds also credited Moravian’s emphasis on community and civic engagement for his approach as Mayor.
Reynolds highlighted several initiatives that are directly impacting college students in Bethlehem. The city’s Climate Action Plan worked collaboratively with individuals and organizations city-wide, including Moravian students and staff, to make improvements to the city that will make it more pedestrian and bike-friendly.
“There’s a better quality of life here now than there was 20 or 40 years ago,” he said. “That’s part of why more students come to Moravian — and why more are staying after graduation.”
Another initiative, Northside Alive, collaborates with Moravian University and the Bethlehem Area School District and works to revitalize and connect Bethlehem communities.
“We’ve strengthened neighborhood ties and created more engagement between William Penn Elementary and Moravian,” Reynolds explained.
Initiatives such as these, along with increased economic growth in the area, have resulted in more job opportunities that encourage college students to stay in Bethlehem after they have graduated, Reynolds said.
However, the region’s rapid growth has created challenges for the city.
As Moravian and Lehigh University have continued to expand, more students are seeking places to live in the city. This creates pressure on the already tight housing market, especially for families, Reynolds said.
Reynolds shared that housing affordability is now the number one issue the city is facing. He stated that, at one point, the city was working to get young graduates to stay in the city. Now, the city is dealing with the consequences of high demand, which include higher prices and fewer housing options.
“If you graduate from Moravian and you get a job in your field, and you’re making $50-60-70,000 a year, you still, right now, can struggle to find a place to live,” he said.
Reynolds spoke about the need to build housing for all incomes to retain young professionals in the city.
During his reelection campaign, Reynolds will focus on these challenges, with his top priorities being the continuation of the Climate Action Plan, strengthening the economy, and providing affordable, accessible housing.
To that end, Reynolds is starting two new initiatives: 40 in 10, which aims to improve 40 neighborhood parks in ten years, and the Complete Streets plan to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
As Reynolds prepares for a second term, he said that he is committed to fostering a city environment where students can thrive during and after their time at Moravian.
