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6/7/2007 Claymont to reach milestone with approval of Village plan The bonds would have a maturity in the range of 20 to 30 years. While the county would not receive additional tax revenue as a result of the redevelopment during that time, it would receive no less than if the property were not redeveloped. The subsidy is justified by residual effect of the project's contributing to improvement of the area economy and quality of life. Cartier explained that the Demolition this summer of the existing, now empty, structures of the former Bookview apartments complex will mark the physical beginning of the realization of a dream sparked by a pair of community activists seven years ago. incentive is intended to offset the additional cost of improving and-or replacing existing deteriorated infrastructure. In the case of Renaissance Village, he said, that primarily involves the existing sanitary-sewer system which must be replaced as a condition imposed by the land use department on its approval of the development plan. The councilman told Delaforum that Renaissance Village will go forward whether or not the General Assembly enacts an amendment to the law before it adjourns at the end of June. "It would be nice to have, but it is not essential. Not having it will not hold up the project," he said. He added that giving New Castle County government the authority to create 'special development districts' will provide a permanent tool to promote other redevelopment projects. Another condition attached to approval of the plan is that Commonwealth-Setting hire Torti Gallas, a nationally-recognized urban planning consulting firm, to oversee its compliance with design guidelines that were incorporated into the ordinance which rezoned that property to allow for greater density and other deviations from the Unified Development Code that 'new urbanist' development requires. Torti Gallas produced the conceptual design upon which the guidelines are based. Cartier said Commonwealth-Setting was agreeable to that arrangement although it equates to having an additional entity figuratively looking over the developer's shoulder while Renaissance Village is being built. Cartier added that imposing the condition should not be regarded as a matter of distrust, but reflects the facts that the project not only is relatively massive in scope but also is the first of its kind to be undertaken here. "We regulate land use in New Castle County. We need to make sure what is committed to on paper is what gets built," he said. He added that budget constraints and limited manpower restrict the amount of oversight the land use department can provide and that it does not have any prior experience with project-specific design guidelines. On the other hand, he said, the department will have sole authority when it comes to enforcing building and related codes, issuing permits and conducting required inspections. Cartier said that once Council formally approves the project, Commonwealth-Setting will take on a 'co-developer' to do the actual construction. He said he did not know who that will be. He also said that he could not speculate on the project's ultimate pricetag other than to said "it certainly will be at least a couple hundred million [dollars]." The plan to be put before Council provides for 1,226 residential units. They include 777 condominium apartments, 236 townhouses, 116 manor apartments, 55 mixed-use units, 26 duplexes, and 16 'live-work' units in commercial buildings. As previously reported, 10% of the units must be 'affordable' or 'workforce' housing and Commonwealth-Setting will be required to provide a matching number of such housing elsewhere in the general area. Timing for providing those units is tied to issuance of building permits as the main project proceeds in incremental phases. A total of 41,704 square feet of commercial space is also provided for in the plan. The community design is such that "people of all socio-economic means can live here -- and they can live without always needing an automobile," Weiner said. "It's all about front porches as opposed to backyards." He has frequently used the expression "live, shop work, play, pray and school your children" within walking distance of where they live. Renaissance Village will contribute to transforming Claymont from "a place people drove through" into "a place where they will want to stop," Weiner said. Approval of the development plan will come a month or so shy of seven years from when George LossôUpresident of the Claymont Coalition, and Dawn Lamb, president of the Claymont Business Owners Association, enlisted Weiner's support in approaching then County Executive Thomas Gordon to obtain 'seed money' to launch what they were calling a community renaissance. The term means 'rebirth' and derives from the regeneration of the arts, literature and culture in medieval Italy. Weiner represented that area before his district was divided into two with the reapportionment that accompanied Council's expansion from seven to 13 members. Although not a resident of Claymont, he has continued to serve as a staunch public advocate of its revitalization and a sort of 'godfather' of the renaissance. As Delaforum was the first to report in the summer of 2000, the initial idea was "refurbishing Philadelphia Pike and, possibly, other areas of Claymont." Even then, however, the proponents had an eye on eliminating the blighted Brookview apartments complex as a key to the success of their intended venture. LossôUwho has been actively involved in Claymont Renaissance throughout its maturation and is now a member of the community Design Review Advisory Committee, hailed approval of the development plan and the impending start of its implementation. Renaissance Village, he said, "will bring in an influx of younger people [many of who] will get involved ... and drive Claymont forward." "It's been years of hard work, lots of meetings, lots of faith and prayer -- and finally it's going to happen," Lamb said. Get more information about this topic Read previous Delaforum article: Commonwealth-Setting will remain involved in Renaissance Village Read the first Delaforum article: Philadelphia Pike to get new look CLICK HERE to respond to this article or to express your views on any topic of public interest. ? 2007. All rights reserved. Delaforum County Executive Thomas Gordon has committed to provide up to $50,000 in 'seed money' to begin refurbishing Philadelphia Pike and, possibly, other areas of Claymont.News The proposed project, according to Dawn Lamb, president of the Claymont Business Owners Association, is in line with the current use of 'streetscaping' to enhance the attractiveness of urban neighborhoods. Such work is nearing completion in the Little Italy section of Wilmington and getting underway along Fourth and 11th Streets. Specific plans for Claymont will be drawn after a Sept. 13 community meeting. "We want to include all concerned people [in the planning process] and get their input," Lamb said. Partnering with her organization in the project, which they are calling Claymont Renaissance, is the Claymont Community Coalition, the area's umbrella civic organization. Among various possibilities is the opening of a visitors center The intersection of Philadelphia Pike and Commonwealth Avenue. and the attraction of a variety of new businesses, particularly small retail establishments. Ultimate motivation is to improve the community image, he said. "We want to bring up the quality of life and make it more enjoyable and safe to life, work and play here," Lamb added. While the organizations intend to build on a previous unsuccessful attempt to bring the 'Main Street Project' to Claymont, she said the present effort is going forward with no preconceived notions. "Nothing is set in concrete," she said. There also is no present timetable or estimated cost. Even the scope of the venture is yet to be determined.She said that, while the initial effort is most likely to be focused on Philadelphia Pike, there is clear justification for also making the Claymont Community Center, located on parallel Green Street, another focal point. George LossîRnd Dawn Lamb "We're also looking at what can be done to accentuate our historic properties and promote the historic value of Claymont," she said. Councilman Robert Weiner, who represents the area and was instrumental in obtaining county backing. said that Claymont Renaissance "looks to borrow the best ideas from other community planning projects" not only in Wilmington but also Baltimore and Philadelphia. He said grants and other public and private financing will be leveraged to support the venture. Posted on August 17, 2000 Last updated on August 17, 2000 Have news? Please contact me! |
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