Opening of The Mill at Easton
One of South Side Easton’s most significant and longest-gestating projects officially opened on Monday.
The Mill at Easton, a new affordable housing community, opened its doors on Monday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the development partners, local officials and representatives from organizations that provided funding for the project. The $18 million project broke ground in September 2020.
The apartment community, made up of two three-story buildings, comprises 55 units — 11 one-bedroom units, 30 two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units — to be filled with individuals and families whose total income is at or equal to 80% of the area median Income.
“This development is helping the City of Easton to meet our number one priority, which is providing affordable housing for our residents,” said Mayor Sal Panto Jr. in a release.
The new complex was built on land at 620 Coal St. that was previously home to the Stewart Silk Mill, built in 1902, and most recently a stainless steel fabricator, which was run by John Robinson, the landowner who worked with developer Tim Harrison to get the apartment complex project up and running.
The Stewart Silk Mill Redevelopment Partners co-developers on the project included PIRHL, a Cleveland-based developing company that specializes in affordable housing, and the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, which will provide social and community support services to the residents.
Robinson and Harrison began searching for funding in 2014. According to the release, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency awarded the project Low Income Housing Tax Credits, which resulted in $12.8 million in private equity. PHFA also provided $1 million in funds from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement program. PHFA Director of Development Jessica Smith Perry was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In addition to PHFA funding, the project also received a $2 million Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant, and more than $1 million in assessment and remediation funds from the PA Industrial Site Reuse Program.
Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development chipped in $25,000 from the Affordable Housing Program and the City of Easton added $100,000 in American Recovery funds.
The project also received $335,000 in Community Cost Relief Program funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, distributed by the PHFA.
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Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
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