3/19/2018
Wilmington University agrees to fix red barn on Concord Pike sooner than previously stated

A deal has been reached between Wilmington University and New Castle County over the future of the historic red barn on the university's future campus on Route 202 in Brandywine Hundred.

The agreement comes after the university was issued a code violation in January for allowing the barn's condition to noticeably worsen. County Councilman Bob Weiner said the the barn has been failing since Wilmington University became its owner. Wilmington University had to respond to the violation by March 15, 2018, and the agreement came around the deadline. The university's original plan, as stated during a New Castle County Board of Adjustment meeting on March 8, 2018, was to wait until the summer to fix the barn.

"Our New Castle County Code Enforcement office, working with Wilmington University, has reached an agreement, where Wilmington University now will repair the outside of the iconic red barn on Concord Pike across from Concord Mall within the next two months," said Weiner.

The work the university will do includes roof repairs, soffit and gutter repair, exterior door closures, exterior siding and window openings would be secured, repaired or replaced this month, and the repairs will be completed by the end of April.

Weiner added this agreement still falls short of what was agreed upon when Wilmington University took over ownership of the property. He wants the interior improved also, and that's not part of the deal.  But Weiner he’ll see to it that interior improvements will be completed as well.

"There will be other government licenses that are required, and if Wilmington University isn't willing to be cooperative, I don't think that New Castle County Government and its citizens will be cooperative towards Wilmington University's future needs and requests either," said Weiner.

Weiner has considered that property a transit and educational gateway into the national park and historic river valley as well as the state since it's just south of the Pennsylvania/Delaware state line on Route 202.

He also wants the area to facilitate bike and pedestrian access, limiting the impact of vehicles.

Weiner did say Wilmington University has agreed to not holdclasses during morning or afternoon rush hour to mitigate traffic on the very busy Concord Pike.

He hopes to meet with Wilmington University officials in the near future to discuss the interior repairs to the red barn, which he expects will happen as the university has said it wanted to re-purpose the barn and a school house on the property.

http://www.wdel.com/news/video-wilmington-university-agrees-to-fix-red-barn-on-concord/article_491def9c-2be8-11e8-952d-93db57499a44.html

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