WEB ONLY -- The possibilities are endless for one community when it comes to revitalizing its main thoroughfare.

Whitehall Township residents gathered Monday to give suggestions and get an update on a redevelopment project that will look to revitalize MacArthur Road as it heads south from the township into Allentown.

The project would serve more than 17,000 residents and 7,000 homes within a quarter mile of the road, stretching south to Allentown's Sumner Avenue. The zone for the revitalization would include a 20-acre property where an abandoned dairy now sits.

"Your imagination is the limit," said Whitehall police chief Linda Kulp, to a group of residents who were attending the township's crime watch meeting. "It's very important to be heard when we have opportunities like this."

Bryan Cope of Bethlehem-based Urban Research and Development Corporation said that the township is looking at several scenarios, anywhere from five to 30 years in length.

"We want this project to include green space, sustainable development, residential and commercial improvements and roadway improvements," said Cope. "This should be a gateway to Allentown that will let people know what there is to do in Whitehall and encourage them to come and stay here."

Cope said he expects to have final approval of one of the scenarios by December or January.

Some suggestions so far have included a convention center, office flex space, high-end residential units, a lifestyle mall center as well as doctor and other professional office spaces.

Cope said that the township is looking at possible funding for the project to include a tax-incremental financing (TIF) plan or a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ). The TIF would require the approval of the county, the township and the school district. The KOZ would have to be agreed to by the state.

Residents were concerned about public safety, traffic congestion and paying for the project.

"The Jordan Parkway is a beautiful place that's in this zone," said resident Nick Potenzi. "But I'm afraid to take my kids down there because you don't know who's behind the trees and bushes."

Cope said that with some cooperation, Whitehall and Allentown Police may be able to work on patrolling the area or adding surveillance cameras.

"The traffic in that area is already bad, especially if the 5th Street bridge is closed," said one resident. "If we make these changes, where will the traffic go? It's already busy and dangerous down there."

Another resident who wished not to be named said he just didn't want to see another tax on residents.

"Are we going to have to pay for this?" he asked. "As seniors, we can't get hit with another tax. We can't be spending money without getting anything back."

Cope said that neither of the plans would require extra township taxpayer money as they currently stand.

Whitehall residents will have the opportunity to give additional suggestions at a meeting at the township's municipal building on September 22 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.