From Steel Plant To Slot Parlor

Bethlehem is adapting to its new role in the post-industrial economy by rethinking its image. However, some people's plans for the city are more than the town can stomach.

"For most of the 20th century, Bethlehem Steel was a Fortune 500 icon, the world’s second biggest steel company. Its workers supplied the steel for many of the bridges, tunnels, and skyscrapers that occupy our collective memory - the Golden Gate and George Washington Bridges, the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, among others - and armed the nation for both World Wars. The Steel lavishly compensated its executives: in 1956 it paid nine out of the twelve top salaries in American business. Its thousands of laborers were not treated as well, but they won union recognition during World War II, and by the mid-1970s were among the highest paid industrial workers in the world."

"By May of 2005, Las Vegas Sands had unexpectedly acquired a majority stake in the BethWorks Now investment team. The new plan, in addition to the hotel casino, called for at least 400 more lofts - and Disney-esque touches like climbing walls, boat rides, a restored elevated railway, and light shows said to evoke the steelmaking process."