Yesterday, I shared Lehigh Valley News Brief's story about the DaVinci Science Center boondoggle, and told you about its hopefully dead plans to build a 500,000 gallon salt water aquarium in downtown Easton, complete with a 100' tall Vitruvian man straddling it. Believe it or not, Northampton County Council wasted $300,000 on this project before common sense prevailed. Jeff Ward, who publishes Lehigh Valley News Briefs, believes we "need more skepticism in local government, particularly when it comes to dispensing taxpayers’ dollars." At least DaVinci is a nonprofit with a noble mission. But guess what? Local government is falling all over itself to help a for-profit private equity firm (Skyline Investment Group) build both luxury apartments and a high-end hotel in Wilson Borough. In addition to seeking a $29 million tax break to redevelop the vacant Dixie Cup factory, it already has received $838,257 in state grants. What's more, it wants another $9.5 million from the state. Without the local tax break known as a TIF, which amounts to about $29 million, it is seeking $124,338.257 in the form of outright grants or tax credits.
I know this because of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant Program (RACP) filed with the state this year for a $9.5 million grant, which you can see for yourself below.
Technically, the applicant is NorCo Exec Lamont McClure. This in itself is odd. County Council was never informed of this grant request, nor was its approval sought. County Council is usually asked to endorse grant applications to the state, and I question whether the Executive has the authority to seek a state grant without the assent of the governing body. The grant writer is in fact a county employee in the Department of Community and Economic Development, meaning that the county has devoted its own manpower to this project.
Under the county's Home Rule Charter, the Executive has the authority to represent the county in obtaining federal or state assistance to local governments (Section 303(6)), but has no power to seek grant assistance on behalf of a for-profit corporation.
The grant application includes the Wilson Borough Dixie Cup factory, which is slated for luxury apartments that few can afford. It also includes its "New Life," project, a plan to convert the 3-acre former LA Fitness site into a "premier hotel" known as The Wilson. According to Skyline, "130 hotel suites with 250 multifamily residences are planned that will feature 1920s-inspired art elegantly paired with modern amenities and exceptional service. Along with the introduction of approximately 163 permanent jobs, The Wilson will feature EV charging stations, a high staff-to-room ratio, and a suite of premium services.
Guests will enjoy the personalized attention of a dedicated butler, doorman, concierge, chauffeur, and
valet parking, all provided by a team of highly trained professionals committed to the highest standards of hospitality".
Do you think it's wise to spend public tax dollars for luxury apartments and a premier hotel that includes butlers and chauffeurs?
The grant application describes the site as a "brownfield," but that is completely untrue of the LA Fitness site.
What you see below indicates that Skyline has already been awarded $500,000 from an RACP application in 2024. It also received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant .It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits
It also wants $28.5 million in federal tax equity credits.
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