On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Easton Planning Commission granted final site approval for the remaining residential buildings at Easton Crossing, marking a major milestone for the inclusive, mixed-use development. With this latest approval, all six planned buildings on the 6.5-acre site, including the previously approved 407 Brookletts Avenue, now have full planning approval.

Led by Fello Communities, Easton Crossing will transform the site of the former Perdue AgriBusiness operation, featuring a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, neighborhood-serving commercial space, and accessible green areas designed for recreation and connection. Easton Crossing will reconnect the area to the Rail-to-Trails and turn a long-vacant property into a walkable, community-focused destination.

“This is a key milestone in the process toward creating Easton’s first inclusive development,” said Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fello Communities. “We’re thankful for the Town’s support throughout the planning stages and excited to move one step closer to construction.”

The approval includes architectural and site plans for all five remaining buildings. As part of an ongoing collaborative process with the Town of Easton and community stakeholders, Fello Communities and its development partners will present comprehensive landscaping plans for the site at a future meeting.

When complete, Easton Crossing will feature:

• 117 new residential units, with 30% designated as affordable
• Ground-level commercial space along the Rails-to-Trails and Brookletts Avenue
• Community green space, walking paths, a fishing pond, and resident amenities

Ahead of construction on the residential units at 407 Brookletts Avenue, the community and leasing office for Easton Crossing is set to open this September, offering residents and neighbors a space to engage with the project, access information, and get involved.

Easton Crossing has taken shape through stakeholder meetings, neighborhood engagement, and public forums. The result is a development rooted in local vision, bringing inclusive housing, commerce, and public space together in one transformative project.

Progress is also underway on related developments led by Fello Communities:

• Demolition at Silo Court is expected to finish by mid-July
• Construction at Laura House, a nearby mixed-income housing project, is slated to begin by the end of July

About Fello Communities

At Fello Communities, we develop and manage housing that’s built for belonging. Through community development and rental housing, we create inclusive, affordable, and accessible homes where people of all backgrounds and abilities can choose how and where they live. Founded in 2007, Fello Communities was created to offer people more options and better opportunities when it comes to housing. Our work bridges community development and long-term property management to create homes and communities that last. Learn more at fellocommunities.org.

— New name and brand reflect organization’s evolution and enduring commitment to people with disabilities —

Linthicum, MD, May 21, 2025 – The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc), a leader in providing support services and fostering inclusive communities with and for people with disabilities, today announced it is rebranding to Fello, effective immediately. 

Founded in 1961 by parents who wanted their children with disabilities to have the same rights and opportunities as any other community member, the rebrand and new name allows Fello to go even deeper into its mission and serve the unmet needs of more people in the communities it serves. While the organization is rebranding with a new name, there will be no changes to its facilitated services, self-directed services, behavioral health, and housing and community development work.

“The people we support are at the center of everything we do and that will never change,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “The name Fello is a strong reflection of who we are and what we do as fellow neighbors, fellow citizens, and fellow allies working together toward a shared vision – for people with disabilities to live the lives they choose in communities that are equitable, accessible, and fully inclusive. We embrace innovation and continued growth and will continue to be at the forefront of adapting to the evolving needs of the community as Fello.”

Today, Fello serves over 4,000 Marylanders, employs nearly 650 team members, and manages almost 100 units in 43 properties throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. 

As part of the rebranding and name change, Fello has separated from The Arc Maryland and the national Arc network. As the organization moves forward, its purpose remains clear: to champion inclusion, opportunity, and choice for people with disabilities. This next journey brings new possibilities to continue building strong, supportive communities across Maryland. 

Fello’s housing and community development subsidiaries, Chesapeake Neighbors and Chesapeake Community Development are now unified under one name, Fello Communities. Fello Communities will continue to develop inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing where people can choose how and where they live.

In addition to Fello Communities, Fello’s services offer personalized support for people with disabilities, including services for Children, Youth & Their Families, Living Options & Services, Community Supports, Day Services, and Workforce Development. Each program is designed to meet people where they are and grow with them over time. 

Fello is Maryland’s largest provider of Self-Directed Services supporting more than 3,000 participants and their 8,000-plus employees across the state. Participants hire and manage their own employees while Fello handles payroll and administrative responsibilities.

Fello Behavioral Health provides trauma-informed and person-centered mental health services tailored to people with co-occurring mental health and developmental disability diagnoses. Licensed clinicians work closely with each person and their support teams to deliver care. 

“At Fello, we are building a future where equity and inclusion are the norm, housing and services coexist, and everyone has the opportunities they deserve to live the lives they choose for themselves,” Rondeau continued. “Our team members are truly dedicated to breaking down barriers to ensure everyone has their own choice and access to the support they need, regardless of geographic boundaries or other lines and we’ll be able to do this moving forward as Fello.” 

Fello’s award-winning culture is rooted in innovation, compassion, and opportunity. The organization’s Health Connection program, Direct Support Professional Career Ladder, and comprehensive Total Rewards package reflects its deep investment in employee development and well-being. 

About Fello 

Fello champions the rights of people with disabilities and invests in what matters most: real opportunities, strong relationships, and inclusive, equitable communities. Fello partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected—not just accommodated. Founded in 1961, Fello continues to lead with heart and purpose, building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Learn more at www.fello.org. 

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A PDF version of this release is available here