Upper Macungie

2 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 S ituated in the picturesque Lehigh Valley, Upper Macungie Township is a thriving community that offers a perfect blend of residential living, farming, open spaces, and commercial opportunities. Township Manager Robert Ibach says about his lovely township, “It’s beautiful here. We are part of the exceptional Parkland School District, we offer low taxes, and have a fantastic park system.” Boasting an enviable location, Upper Macungie is around an hour north of Philadelphia and about two hours west of New York. However, with so much to do in the surrounding area, there is little need to travel to these larger cities. The township offers a perfect escape for all urbanites. The Lehigh Valley is home to Musikfest, the nation’s largest free outdoor music festival which is organized by ArtsQuest, a non-profit Owen & Ollie’s Restaurant is a popular draw and is the anchor of a renovated mill building originally built in the 1800s along Beaver Brook. Upper Macungie A town with a host of amenities to offer organization that provides arts, culture and educational programs. ArtsQuest has expanded their offerings into Upper Macungie Township, presenting SangriaFest which is hosted in Upper Mac’s Grange Road Park. Drinks and cocktails are provided by two of the Township’s wineries as part of the popular event. The approach to hosting events, led by the township, is just a taste of what’s to come, and the management team is motivated by how popular past events have been. “We had 2,000 people attend SangriaFest, and 400 individuals had to be turned away, which means we need to plan for larger events,” says Ibach. The close proximity to two large metros also makes the town a perfect area for diverse industrial facilities. Daren Martocci, the township’s Planning & Zoning Consultant, elaborates, “We have a diverse selection of industries in the area, such as industrial manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, technology and sciences employers, as well as pharmaceutical and semiconductors.” Upper Macungie is of the view that it is a great place to call home, providing work opportunities and recreational amenities, as well as offering easy access to Philadelphia and New York. Residential options range from single family homes, up-scale apartment complexes, twin-style condos for retirement, or a five- AT A GLANCE UPPER MACUNGIE, PA WHAT: Historic town nestled in Lehigh Valley WHERE: Lehigh County, PA WEBSITE: https://www.uppermac.org/