Claymont Renaissance

Reports by Eva Abbott, Representative of The Ardens
Click here to visit the Claymont Renaissance website.

Claymont Meeting, April 21, 2005

There are four groups interested in the purchase of the Brookview Apartments and New County Councilman Bob Weiner has met with them to ensure that their plans will incorporate the guidelines established by the Claymont Renaissance group. This will be a 6-year project and result in anywhere from 900 to 1200 units, most of which, hopefully, will be owned, not rented. A group of local churches is meeting to advocate for the current residents in Brookview. Last week, Code Enforcement went into Brookview and towed many cars. Although Del Dot has announced funding cuts, they are assurimg Claymont that funds are still available for Philadelphia Pike. Completion date is set for 2008. Van Temple, Ardencroft resident and Consultant, has been hired to assist the Director of the Claymont Resource Development Group in its efforts to obtain funding.

Claymont Design Review Advisory Committee
February 17, 2005.

The Advisory Committee reviewed its first application: 3511 Philadelphia Pike. Unfortunately, the new owners of the property haven't decided on a type of business for the first floor (second floor will be an apartment), so the discussion did not go far. The new owners are thinking about opening a Chinese grocery store or Chinese restaurant. They were encouraged to come back with a more specific plan.

The Delaware Department of Land Use presented the Claymont Renaissance group with a $25,000 planning grant. Claymont's efforts are being recognized on a statewide and national basis as a model for rejuvenation of a community. Astra Zeneca and AAA (which is moving into the city of Wilmington) have been approached and are interested in recommending Claymont to their relocating employees as an affordable (and up and coming) place to live.

The sale of the Brookview apartments is moving along well. Several investors are very interested in purchasing the property for redevelopment.

Meeting on January 20, 2005

Claymont had its first official meeting tonight of the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC). Because there were no applicants who wanted their business plans reviewed, the meeting proceeded as usual.

WAWA got its building permit this week and McDonalds is laying concrete; Dunkin' Donuts is on hold. The old Fisharama is (unhappily) going to be a storage place for restaurant supplies and a nail salon. The development arm of the Claymont Renaissance opened up their office in the Community Center, and is hoping to secure funds to better market Claymont and lure more interesting stores to set up shop there.

The biggest news is still that Brookview owners are wanting to sell the complex. Councilmen Bob Weiner is pressing the prospective buyer (Ideal Realty) to find a developer who will build an urban-friendly community with an emphasis on home ownership.

One interesting plan discussed tonight is that Claymont is going to be part of the Urban Appalachian Trail. There is a national movement that wants to connect urban cities from Maine to Florida using SEPTA to get from place to place locally. SEPTA has committed to providing bike storage on their trains so theoretically one could roll their bike on a SEPTA train in Boston, debark and bike around Claymont for a couple of hours, hop on another train and do the same around Wilmington, stay at a local bed and breakfast and then head south.

Meeting on December 15, 2004

As you probably have noticed, construction of Dunkin Donuts, Wawa and McDonalds are all moving along. The good news for Claymont is that the owners of Brookwview Apartments have agreed to sell. This is 67 acres that Claymont hopes will be levelled and turned into upscale (with a mix of affordable housing) homes with the lots of green and the low numbers of rentals. They've already talked with a group out of D.C. that's interested in purchasing the propertty.

The new committee structure hasn't been apporved by NCCo yet. DRAC (Design Review Advisory Committee) will replace the current Renaissance group. This committee should be ready to roll by the January meeting and they hope to have at least one new potential business applicant's plans to review. The other group is called the CRDC (Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation) and they are charged with attracting businesses to Claymont. They had a grand opening of their office in the Community Center last month and are looking for funding.

Meeting on September 16, 2004

The focus of the group is now the approval of the Hometown Overlay District proposal by NCCo on October 12. If approved, the Claymont Renaissance group will 'end' in its current form. Three groups will take its place: the Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation which will market Claymont to businesses; the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) which will review land use applications to ensure they are in harmony with Claymont's goals; and the Claymont Citizen's Advisory Group for DRAC which, in essence, is the old Claymont Renaissance group.

The group hopes it will be kept very busy with requests by businesses and companies to set up shop along Philadelphia Pike. One limiting factor is sewer capacity, and although money has been allotted, the upgrade is slated to occur over the next 10 years. Astra Zeneca is also being wooed to refer employees to consider living in Claymont.

Meeting on August 19, 2004

Claymont Renaissance met on August 19 and handed out two very professional manuals: Claymont Community Redevelopment Plan and Manual of Design Guildelines. The first goes into great detail about the Hometown Overlay District, Del Dots plans for Philadelphia Pike, location of the Claymont Center, etc. Folks can access these manulas at www.co.new-castle.de.us. Click on Land Use, then, Community Redevelopment Plans and then, Claymont.

The Hometown Overlay District proposal will be decided at the Oct. 12 Council Rezonding Hearing. The Renaissance group decided to move ahead in forming the Advisory Committee which would review new construction/renovation proposals in Claymont and pass on their recommendations to the NCCo Executive Council.

Another body, called the Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation has an almost-opened office at the Community Center. This group will work with businesses wanting to do business in Claymont.

Finally, Claymont is holding a symposium celebrating the integration of Claymont schools which happened peacefully two years before Brown. Event is scheduled for Sept 18 from 12:30 - 4:30 at the Claymont High School and will feature Jack Greenberg, Esq., lead counsel in two DE companion cases to Brown. Arden will be mentioned because it quickly followed Claymont's decision by integrating its school.

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