The Allentown Economic Development Corp. has reached an agreement to sell the former Hess’s property at Ninth and Hamilton Streets to a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, the two parties announced Wednesday (7/11).

"This is the first step in what could possibly be the most significant private-sector development in downtown Allentown in many years," said Kurt D. Zwikl, president of AEDC. "We’re very pleased that PPL stepped up to purchase this property. This project will be a great addition to the downtown."

"This agreement will allow us to expand our operations adjacent to our headquarters building," said William F. Hecht, PPL’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We remain committed to the revitalization of downtown Allentown, and this project certainly will be a significant step in accomplishing that goal."

PPL will pay a total of about $2.1 million to AEDC – $531,110 for the land, and an additional $1.6 million as a donation that AEDC will use to spur additional economic development in Allentown.

Hecht noted that officials of the AEDC and others – and particularly State Sen. Charles Dent – worked diligently to help PPL and the AEDC complete the deal.

PPL has begun developing final plans for the building, which will serve as a headquarters for the company’s energy marketing subsidiary, PPL EnergyPlus. The company will release final details of the development when they are available.

PPL EnergyPlus is an unregulated subsidiary of PPL Corp. PPL EnergyPlus is not the same company as either PPL Electric Utilities, the electric utility, or PPL Gas Utilities, the gas utility. The prices of PPL EnergyPlus are not regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and you do not have to buy PPL EnergyPlus electricity, natural gas or other products in order to receive the same quality regulated services from PPL Electric Utilities or PPL Gas Utilities.