Plans proposed for Nazareth Speedway site

Helio Castroneves at Nazareth in 2004

The 157-acre property that once housed the Nazareth Speedway in Northampton County (PA) could soon be home to a Martin Guitar facility and homes.

Developer David Jaindl presented his proposal to Lower Nazareth Township supervisors Wednesday. Plans include 18 acres of commercial space, 79 acres of industrial space and 37 acres of housing that could include apartments, townhouses and twins. An additional 27 acres is proposed for a conservation zone, which Jaindl said is open space at the request of the township.

The goal for this project is to find uses that are compatible with the neighborhood, said project engineer Bruce Anderson with Pidcock Co.

The company purchased the property in 2015. The sale included a clause that prevented the buyer from trying to bring racing back to the Lehigh Valley.

The commercial space would be situated near Route 248 to the right of the existing Giant grocery store and strip mall. In front of that is the potential location for some of the residential, which will accommodate as many as 200 apartments, Jaindl said.

Directly behind Route 191 is the proposed location for industrial use and further down Route 191 is the proposed conservation zone. Another residential area for about 75 to 100 townhouses and twin homes is proposed to sit behind the conservation area near Christian Springs Road, according to Jaindl.

As for the industrial zone, it would contain three warehouses measuring about 100,000 to 150,000 square feet in addition to another warehouse, which will be a Martin Guitar distribution center.

The goal for Martin Guitar is to find another property to build out for the next 50 years to keep up with its business growth, said company representative Nathan Eckhart. This redevelopment project provides just that opportunity, he said.

The proposal is in its preliminary stage, Jaindl said. He presented it to the board Wednesday with hopes of an approval in the near future. WFMZ