Woda Cooper Companies joined with representatives of the City of Wilson and other supporters, including representatives of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), to celebrate the opening of Pender Crossing, a 48-unit affordable apartment community for residents earning between 40% and 60% of the area median income. Pender Crossing provides 18 one-bedroom, 18 two-bedroom apartments, and 12 three-bedroom apartments, including five units with adaptations for those with mobility challenges and one unit with features for those with sight/hearing disabilities.
The City of Wilson lent its support to Pender Crossing by providing a long-term ground lease at a value that will help assure affordable rents. The Housing Authority of the City of Wilson supported the development with rental assistance for 25 residents.
“Pender Crossing provides high-quality, affordable housing for Wilson families in an excellent location in downtown Wilson,” said Mayor Carlton Stevens. “The City Council is thrilled to see this project completed and available to provide stable housing for Wilson families.”
Rodger Lentz, Assistant City Manager, added his perspective of the importance of revitalizing the area with housing. “The completion of Pender Crossing is another step in the revitalization of the area between downtown Wilson and US 301, which has long been a focus for the City Council. The new Barnes Street Community Center will open next month adjacent to Pender Crossing, rounding out a long list of amenities available to Pender Crossing families. It’s extremely rewarding to have visible progress toward the city’s long-range redevelopment plans. We are extremely grateful to Woda Cooper, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and all the other partners that have brought this project to completion. We look forward to more projects like this one.”
Apartments at Pender Crossing have open concept design with ENERGY STAR appliances, including dishwashers, quality cabinetry, luxury vinyl tile flooring, attractive finishes, blinds, washer/dryer closets with connections. Each unit has a 16 square food dedicated storage closet. The community building includes a multipurpose community room with kitchenette that residents can use for social gatherings, fitness center, computer room, laundry facility, and an onsite management/leasing office. Exterior amenities at Pender Crossing include a playground and a covered picnic area with tables and grills. Additional benches are located throughout the property.
Financing for Pender Crossing is supported through federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency which also committed to provide a second permanent mortgage. “This grand opening represents yet another example of exceptional affordable housing made possible by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit,” said Scott Farmer, executive director of the NC Housing Finance Agency. “We are proud to be a part of Pender Crossing and look forward to the ways it will help make lives better for families in Wilson.”
To help finance this project, Truist Community Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Truist Bank, also provided a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity investment and a construction loan. “Seeing Pender Crossing open its doors is a proud moment for our team,” said Steve Smith, Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager at Truist Community Capital. “Our purpose is rooted in supporting projects like this where families can put down roots and build a stronger future.”
A permanent mortgage was provided by Security Bank and Trust Company. “Security Bank and Trust Company is proud to support the Pender Crossing development as the permanent financing lender,” said Brian Kissell, Chief Executive Office. “This collaboration with Woda Cooper Companies reflects our shared commitment to addressing the critical need for affordable housing in North Carolina. We are honored to play a role in fostering stronger communities through strategic partnerships like this one.”
Woda Cooper Companies’ Denis Blackburne, Senior Vice President – Development, said new residents have already started to move into Pender Crossing apartments. “Many of the residents work in jobs in Wilson at businesses and organizations that are essential to the local community. We appreciate the City of Wilson and the Wilson Housing Authority’s support throughout the process to support the development and our residents.”
A special moment at the event was the recognition of a group of Wilson friends who met almost daily nearby to socialize and watch progress at Pender Crossing during the year it was under construction. Seth Berry, Woda Cooper Companies’ Project Manager for Pender Crossing, said their enthusiasm for the development was encouraging to his team and helpful in establishing the site’s presence in the neighborhood. Thomas Purdie, Jerome McNair, and the third “guy” Cordain Dancy were often joined public health worker Lucy Cruz who worked with Dancy to operate a mobile public health testing unit nearby. In addition, Berry thanked the City of Wilson for its excellent efforts to support the construction process.
Architecture for Pender Crossing was performed by TightLines Designs, with civil engineering by Mc2 Engineering, Inc. Woda Construction, Inc. was the general contractor. Leasing and property management is performed by Woda Management & Real Estate.
