Yesterday the Bethlehem planners unanimously approved the SteelStacks Performing Arts Center to be built at the former Bethlehem Steel plant site.

Construction is set to begin this fall on the $25 million four-story performing arts center.  It will sit just south of the old blast furnaces.

The arts center will include a two-screen cinema that will show independent films, a bistro and an area called the PodZone.  The PodZone will feature furniture arranged around flat-screened televisions, which will allow patrons to do everything from sharing Powerpoint presentations to playing Guitar Hero.

The building will also include a cabaret-type Musikfest Cafe, which will host community and educational events. 

There will basically be something for everyone. 

The performing arts center, and the broadcast center, are expected to open by spring of 2011.

The other parts of the project are to be a festival center, a music pavilion, an outdoor plaza and space for community events.  It will provide space for artists and farmers markets and festivals run by ArtsQuest.

The project is part of the redevelopment of the former Steel plant and will have a view of the blast furnaces.