Historic designation boosts Dixie Cup redevelopment

A prominent redevelopment project in Northampton County has just received a big boost.  

The former Dixie Cup Factory in Wilson Borough has been named to the National Historic Registry  

Skyline Investment Group plans to convert the old Dixie Cup Factory into apartments and developer Brian Bartee said the designation will help both with the prestige of the project as well as making tax credits available for the project.  

“It’s huge from a preservation perspective,” Bartee said.  

Bartee noted that after more than four decades of vacancy and false starts, many in the community were concerned about how the project would impact the well-known community landmark.  

“There has been speculation about preservation. This assures that every historic piece of that building is going to be preserved and restored,” Bartee said.  

The developer will also begin working to secure tax credit funding beginning in May, which will help offset the $180 million total project cost.  

Skyline has already spent $14 million of its own funds on the project, Bartee said, and he’s eager to get started on the next phase of construction now that Act 2 remediation work has been completed as is awaiting the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  

The designation comes after the project failed to obtain Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) funding when Northampton County failed to approve the plan. 

The TIF designation was approved by Wilson Borough and the School District, but without the county’s vote did not go through. 

One of the sticking points with county council was that certain members didn’t think $1.1 million was enough of a benefit.  

Now, Bartee is trying again, with a second attempt to secure Northampton County’s support. 

“The TIF is very important and key to the project’s success,” said Bartee. 

He noted that the three county council members that voted against the proposal did not win re-election, and he might have a better shot on a second try. 

When complete, Bartee said the site will have 405 apartments, office space, podcast space, a movie theater, indoor golf and pickleball, a public restaurant and community space featuring the original Dixie Cup that once sat upon the plant’s roof. 

He said besides fulfilling a strong need for housing in the region, the property has a strong sentimental value in the community, especially among those who once worked there.  

Skyline is also moving forward on the adjacent LA Fitness, where demolition has begun on the existing structure in preparation for development on that site, which will complement the overall Dixie project.