Accomplishments

Past & Ongoing Projects

Since its inception in 2006, the CRDC has been a pivotal entity and played a major role in steering activities that bring community needs and economic development opportunities together to achieve prosperity and enhanced quality of life in Claymont.

Some of these accomplishments and activities include the following.

Philadelphia Pike Infill Redevelopment

Often referred to as Philly Pike, it’s the main street of Claymont and the heartbeat of the town. Through the New Castle County – Claymont Hometown Overlay District, a community plan and manual of design guidelines has been adopted to encourage good commercial/retail property design. The CRDC offers technical assistance to investors, both big and small, in complying with these guidelines.

Philadelphia Pike Reconfiguration

To accommodate the planned growth in Claymont, the CRDC worked with DelDOT and incorporated best practices from across the nation to make traffic and safety improvements to Claymont’s main street and major artery. Through traffic onto Governor Printz Boulevard and other turn-ways were successfully diverted with dedicated turn lanes. Vehicular accidents and speeds have been reduced as a result of the reconfiguration, according to DelDOT.

North Claymont Area Master Plan

At the CRDC’s request, community, county, state, federal, and many other stakeholders worked together with a nationally recognized consulting firm to produce a market analysis and preferred development scenarios for North Claymont including our industrial zone, Tri-State Mall, the former Claymont Steel site, and areas along Naamans Road. View the report by clicking here.

Coastal Zone Conversion Permit Regulatory Advisory Committee

CRDC Executive Director Brett Saddler was named a committee member of the Delaware Coastal Zone Advisory Committee by DNREC and to serve on the Coastal Zone Changes Economic Impact Committee. This inclusion was to ensure that the Claymont community had a seat at the table regarding proposed changes that could effect our Delaware River waterfront protections.

Claymont Public Library

The 17,500 square foot, $9.5M facility is more than double the size of the previous Claymont Library, which was housed in the Claymont Community Center. The state-of-the-art facility offers space for computer use, children’s library needs, young adult/adult reading center, as well as public meeting rooms. The CRDC was honored to assist with the site selection and fundraising for this community jewel that sits in the heart of the new Darley Green neighborhood.

Darley Arts Center

Arts and culture are essential for a healthy community. The CRDC sponsored Darley Arts Center looks to spark an “arts scene” in Claymont. Its current and past offerings of artist painting groups, figure drawing classes and gallery exhibitions, take place in the CRDC managed historic Darley House (c1795, c1856). Felix Darley was a renowned illustrator who made Claymont his home in the mid-19th Century.

Darley Beer, Wine, Food & Music Festival

The annual event is a fundraiser for the CRDC and offers an opportunity for residents and non-residents alike to gather for fun in the heart of Claymont . The event is currently on hiatus due to COVID-19. The CRDC and its the event sponsors look forward to bringing it back soon. Visit darleyfest.org for updates on future event plans.

Claymont Resident Outreach

It is imperative that Claymont’s citizens are informed and engaged in their town’s revitalization. This has been achieved by both in person and virtual meetings and also updates on social media. The CRDC hosts the monthly Claymont Renaissance Update meeting at the Claymont Library and is open to all residents and non-residents alike. We are joined by state and county elected officials to discuss projects and to answer questions. Occasionally, the CRDC hosts project-specific meetings in larger venues outside the regular monthly meeting. Additionally, the CRDC executive director regularly engages Claymont’s civic, faith-based and service organizations to gather input and to provide informational platforms.

Claymont External Marketing

The CRDC’s executive director and its board members actively participate in various business/economic development organizations to promote investment and to provide updates on the positive changes occurring in the community.

Supporting Claymont Businesses

Promoting entrepreneurship and attracting local small businesses are the keys to a successful Philadelphia Pike corridor. The CRDC routinely communicates with, and advocates for, Claymont’s small business community. Our goal is to increase the tools available for success and to foster an atmosphere that encourages Claymont as a destination for commerce.