Xerxes Wilson

The News Journal





Delaware lawmakers on Thursday approved a rare land swap between the state and a Wilmington developer that will facilitate a 350-apartment development over the ruins of the historic Bancroft Mills on the banks of the Brandywine.

Thursday's approval from the state Senate clears the way for the state to trade 1.53 acres on the western edge of what remains of the mill for 3.92 acres mostly along the nearby Brandywine bottom owned by the Buccini/Pollin Group.

It's only the second time the state's Open Space Council has engaged in such a swap and comes as BPG begins to raze what is left of the historic Wilmington landmark.





Some in the General Assembly questioned why the state would trade high ground for river bottom. Last week, a handful of Delaware House of Representatives chose not to vote as the measure passed in that chamber.

"My main concern is that I don’t pick up the paper tomorrow and read that we’re giving away more than we got,” said Rep. Mike Ramone, R-Pike Creek, before the vote.

State officials said taxpayers will benefit because the swap mandates BPG build a public pavilion, restrooms, improved parking and a more welcoming entrance to Alapocas Run State Park, which is across the Brandywine from Bancroft Mills. In addition, by taking ownership of the river bottom alongside the mill, the state will be able to remove a dam that was once part of the mill complex and allow passage of American shad during their spring spawning run.

BPG benefits because the state property being transferred is contiguous with the former mill property it owns and will be the site of one of four apartment buildings the group wants to build on the ruins of Bancroft Mills, which was ravaged by a fire in November. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Scroll the image below to see what the state is getting and what it is giving up.

The measure passed without opposition in the Delaware Senate with Sen. Harris McDowell, D-Wilmington North, calling it a "win, win."

The state initially bought the parcel being traded away for $350,000 in 2000 to provide an entrance into Alapocas Run State Park, the state's premier rock climbing spot. But the parcel is awkwardly shaped, makes for a poor entrance and contains a former mill building that is in "horrible shape," said Matt Chesser, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control environmental program administrator.

"It is pretty useless to us," said Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens of the parcel being given up.

The two properties were not subject to a formal appraisal, but Chesser said the additional improvements "far outweigh even the initial cost of (the state's) piece of the property."

STORY: Abandoned Bancroft Mills in Wilmington burns

STORY: Land swap proposed for Alapocas park

Michael Hare, executive vice president for BPG, said the improvements that come along with the swap will cost at least $600,000 on top of the value of the land the group is transferring.

The pavilion will be located across the footbridge entrance into the Alapocas park where a rusted train platform now sits. Hare described the bathroom and pavilion as "immediate projects."

The group also will create a landscaped entrance to the footbridge that leads into the park in addition to improving and maintaining an existing public parking lot near the park. Those changes will come as the group builds the apartment development, Hare said.

Approval from the Legislature – and eventually Gov. John Carney – gives DNREC and BPG the ability to enter into a contract with more specific timelines for the amenities, Hare said.

State Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington West, said the entrance will be an improvement to the tucked away path into the park from the mill side of the river. He added the swap is "a benefit for all" and will allow BPG to move forward with its project.

Last week, BPG started demolition of what remains of the mill. The land began housing a textile manufacturing business founded by Joseph Bancroft in the 1830s. The existing buildings date from the 1920s and have been vacant for years.

Over the years, portions of the mill, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, were subdivided and made into waterfront condominiums to the east BPG's property.

Hare said what remains of the former mill will be demolished over the next six months to make way for a $70 million apartment project known as Rockford Falls.

"We are trying to preserve elements, but as people recognize it now, none of those buildings will remain," Hare said.

Originally, the company sought to preserve at least portions of what is referred to as the Bluestone building, a 250-foot-long structure facing the Brandywine. But that building saw some of the most significant damage in the fire and will be razed along with the rest of the mill, Hare said.

Hare said the company is considering ways to pay "some architectural homage" to the site's history as part of the four multistory apartment buildings that will be built on the footprint of mill along the Brandywine.

In all, the development will include roughly 346 units. Hare said the fine design details are still being developed.

Hare described the apartments as "luxury." Rent will be comparable to the company's most expensive units along the Christina Riverfront — around $1,300 to $1,400 for a single-bedroom unit.

STORY: Bancroft Mills still smoldering, one week after fire

STORY: Raw video: Bancroft Mills devastated by fire

BPG currently has 1,135 apartment units in the city with another 354 under construction, Hare estimated.

No commercial development will be part of the project. Up the hill from the mill property, the group plans to sell lots for a total of 32 townhomes that will be accessed from Riddle Avenue.

Both the apartment and townhome parcels were rezoned in August last year. The group is still working to receive approvals for things like the development's stormwater plan, Hare said.

The apartments will be built in waves of roughly 100 units. Construction could start as soon as fall of this year, Hare said.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.