WILSON, Pa. — The latest proposition for the long-dormant Dixie Cup factory site in Wilson Borough may be the first viable option to revitalize the crumbling property, officials say.
New details about the future of the site, including adding retail and community spaces to create more of a community-oriented appeal, were introduced during a Monday meeting in Wilson.
The Dixie cup factory has been vacant for 40 years since the company moved the manufacturing to Forks Township. The building, off Route 22, has deteriorated considerably.
But a developer is looking to inject new life into the deteriorating property.
If all goes well, the project could enter permitting and construction phases as soon as April.Property owner Joseph M. Reibman
The proximity to the nearby Rails-To-Trails Conservancy also could also foster a stronger community attachment for walkers, runners and riders, Wilson solicitor Stan Margle said.
The undisclosed developer is proposing a 405-unit apartment complex, with the majority classified as junior or regular one-bedroom spaces, in addition to some two-bedroom units spread throughout the 623,600-square-foot existing structure.
Recent updates have shown the property’s former boiler room repurposed into retail and community space open to the public, a reactivated roadway leading to that space, along with a fire lane spanning the circumference of the building.
If all goes well, the project could enter permitting and construction phases as soon as April, according to property owner Joseph M. Reibman.
'He's doing quite a bit'
Reibman, whose LLC has maintained control of the property for more than 40 years, said the latest proposition appears to be the most practicable offer yet.
“We've had the building over a period of years under agreements of sale, and with lots of interest, but some people, given circumstances perhaps beyond their control, perhaps not, were unable to complete a transaction," he said.
"We anticipate that this particular agreement will be fulfilled and will close."
Reibman said previous interests were largely concerned with developing condos, apartments or warehousing.
“I always felt that the highest and best use, and the best use of the property, is for residential apartment use; conversion into apartments. And this particular buyer is proposing that."Property owner Joseph M. Reibman
In one situation, the recession in 2008 resulted in financing for a project drying up. Another proposal for a warehouse was shot down by the county.
“I always felt that the highest and best use, and the best use of the property, is for residential apartment use; conversion into apartments," Reibman said.
"And this particular buyer is proposing that."
Margle, the Wilson solicitor, said the current developer seems far more serious about its proposed project than any previous applicant.
“So there were a couple other ones before that, that never quite got to the any other level other than a draft of an agreement itself," he said.
"No one has done the type of preliminary due diligence work that this buyer is doing, and he's doing quite a bit.”
Drums and containers already have been removed from the land surrounding the building, old storage tanks have been removed and scrapped, and soil, groundwater and soil gas samples have been taken, among other work.
Asbestos in the building still needs to be removed.
'The lived experience'
Margle said he expects the developer will officially submit a sketch plan, “a sort of formal land development plan,” which is not required by the municipality’s planning code.
But it's a good way to get comments from the borough’s engineer and the council, as soon as the end of next month.
“After that becomes the formal submission of the land development or subdivision plan. So that's going to be done probably in April, and it is possible," Margle said.
"That groundbreaking could be early summer. That is possible.”
“The main thing that I keep thinking about whenever I’m looking at this proposal is just, how is it going to impact the community in that way, longer term?"Local organizer Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen
The iconic Dixie Cup that still sits atop the property could be removed and repurposed as part of the ground presentation, Margle said.
While that timeline may seem fast-paced, based on communication with municipal and county officials, the developer has seemed cooperative in the process.
That was highlighted by design changes presented at Monday’s meeting.
“This developer, this team has been proactive, and very forthcoming,” Northampton County Community and Economic Development Director Tina Smith said.
“The lines of communication are definitely open, and the project itself is much more attractive in terms of having some community assets. They’ve been very agreeable to work with, and I think they truly want what's in the best interest of the borough and the county."
Local organizer Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen said he is cautiously optimistic about the new plans, though he still is curious about the impact on the community, especially regarding affordable pricing for the apartments.
“The main thing that I keep thinking about whenever I’m looking at this proposal is just, how is it going to impact the community in that way, longer term?" he said.
"What is going to be the lived experience for folks who go to school around here, live around here, work around here? Because that's going to be the thing that really is going to resonate the most."
