Post Date: 05/08/2018 11:00 AM

Following an EPA-funded study, Mayor Purzycki looks to redevelop two contaminated properties and improve the Northeast neighborhood

Mayor Purzycki today announced that the City of Wilmington has begun a year-long planning initiative, supported by a nearly $200,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to address the potential re-use of contaminated, underutilized, and vacant brownfield sites in the northeast area of the City. The study, part of an effort to bring positive change and reinvestment to the neighborhood, will also identify specific opportunities for growth and revitalization along the Brandywine River.

Two city-owned waterfront sites at the center of this undertaking are the former Diamond State Salvage property and the Wilmington Maintenance Yard, both located along the Brandywine River, between the 16th Street Bridge and Northeast Boulevard.

“What happens from this point forward is intended to bring about positive change to the northeast part of our City,” said Mayor Purzycki. “This is the first of step in the community and government coming together to envision great things happening for our neighborhoods and along a previously neglected part of Wilmington’s other riverfront.”

The U.S. EPA Area-Wide Brownfields Plan is being prepared by Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates (SGA). It will be guided by previous planning efforts for the area, which will be consolidated into an implementation-focused strategy with an expected completion in Spring 2019.

Mayor Purzycki invites citizens to a Public Open House, which will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 6 – 7 p.m., followed by a Community Workshop from 7 – 8:30 p.m., both at the Achievement Center located at 38 Vandever Avenue.

During the Open House, SGA will present an overview of the project, including infrastructure findings and existing conditions of the project area. The Workshop that follows will be an opportunity for community members to discuss their vision, concerns, and potential opportunities for neighborhood revitalization. Input received from this Community Workshop will be used to inform the preparation of the Draft Recommendations that will be presented for community review and comment at a follow-up workshop to be held this coming fall.

These events are free and open to the public, and interested community members are encouraged to attend. A final Action Plan is scheduled to be released early next year.

A Steering Committee comprised 16 individuals selected by Mayor Purzycki, City Council and the City Planning Department held its initial meeting on March 9, 2018. The Committee members represent stakeholders in the project area, including business owners, property owners, institutions, community centers, residents and government officials. There are also a number of project partners who will be lending their technical assistance to the Steering Committee and SGA throughout the process. The technical knowledge includes waterfront development and environmental science, brownfields knowledge, business development and community engagement. The Steering Committee is scheduled to meet six more times over the next ten months to provide guidance and review plan development.

The Steering Committee members are:

Zanthia Oliver – Council Member 3rd District

Fred Reed – Reeds Refuge

Jim Vachris – Franklin Fibre

Mamie Gamble – New Destiny Fellowship

Azeez Weeks – New Destiny Fellowship

Kevin Smith – Habitat for Humanity

Donna Masley – Masley Enterprises

Richard Stat – Property Owner

Michael Crumble – Boys and Girls Club

Tori Cobb – West Side Health

Christine Kirklin – Community Member

Richard Dyton – Community Member

Maureen Lafate – Community Member

Peg Tigue – Community Member

Theresa Hasson – WSFS Bank

Bryan Lennon, Public Works, Water Division Assistant Director

The Project Partners are:

Bobbi Britton – Greater Brandywine Village

Martha Narvaez – UD Water Resources Center

Roger Hesketh – UD Community Research and Service (Blueprint)

Kathryn Coyne – Delaware Sea Grant

Jill Hall – DNREC

Simeon Hahn – NOAA

Denita Thomas – UD Small Business Development Center

For more information on the project, contact Project Director Matthew Harris, at the City of Wilmington’s Department of Planning and Development: mharris@wilmingtonde.gov

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov



Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov