The MacArthur Parkway—A Historic Revitalization Plan for Southern MacArthur Road was created from the forethought of Township officials to help curb blight and restore a viable commercial district.  For the past few decades, the decline of the corridor has become apparent.  Storefronts were becoming boarded up, graffiti and crime were becoming a nuisance and re-investment in the corridor was declining.

Township officials wanted to curtail the overall negative image and identity associated with the corridor and capitalize on regional projects that could have a significant impact on the corridor.  Major projects along Route 22 and within the City of Allentown provided an opportunity to plan for the future.

In April 2011, Urban Research & Development Corporation, in association with Benchmark Civil Engineering Services, Inc. was approved by the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners to conduct the revitalization study of the corridor.

The plan area corridor is located along southern MacArthur Road (PA Route 145).  The corridor's northern boundary is PA Route 22 and is bounded by the City of Allentown to the south.  A total of three signalized intersections, Fairmont Avenue, Jordan Parkway and Mickley Road / N. Sixth Street intersect MacArthur Road north to south.  To the east of the corridor is the City of Allentown's Jordan Park and low-to-moderate income housing units.  On the western portion of the corridor, apartments, townhomes and single-family detached homes abut the corridor's boundary.