Current Projects
Throughout its history, the CRDC accomplished projects that range from helping a small business owner get started, revitalizing neighborhoods, participating in the development of an Area Master Plan, to assisting in the redevelopment of larger tracts of land.
Current Projects
The following represents development projects and enhanced quality of life opportunities currently underway in Claymont.
Darley Green
The once remarkable former 68-acre Brookview Garden Apartments, where President Biden spent his formative years, had fallen into extreme disrepair by the late 1990’s. Working side-by-side with a new owner and officials from New Castle County and the state, the property was reimagined into a sought-after mixture of 831 townhomes, apartments and shops. Redevelopment of this large track of land located in the center of Claymont into a mixed-use residential community called Darley Green, when completed, will bring nearly 2,000 new residents to the area. With its first housing units completed in 2009, the project continues to be a catalyst for growth in Claymont.
Claymont Transportation Center
The CRDC realized that with the projected revitalization expected to occur in Claymont, the existing SEPTA regional rail station with service to Philadelphia, and Wilmington and their Amtrak connectivity, was woefully inadequate. After more than a decade of planning with our partners at Delaware Transit Corporation, the $71M new Claymont Train Station and Transportation Center is currently under construction with service planned to commence summer 2023.
Claymont Steel Redevelopment
Since 1916, the steel mill provided employment to countless Claymont residents and, at one time, was a major part of the fabric of the community. Following its closure in 2014, the CRDC and its partners helped to create the North Claymont Area Master Plan to guide redevelopment of the 450-acre site. Construction has begun on what will be known as First State Crossing, with transformation of the site to include residential, office, retail, and light industrial properties.
Claymont Riverfront Public Park
The developer of the former Claymont Steel site has offered to donate back to the community 125 acres of prime land along the Delaware River. CRDC partnered with University of Delaware’s Coastal Resiliency Design Studio to produce a comprehensive plan of what this public park could be. Currently, the CDRC is working with state and county partners to make the Claymont Riverfront Public Park a reality. Click here to view the Riverfront Park Conceptual Plan.
Overlook Colony Neighborhood Revitalization
Built as a pre-World War 1 planned community by the General Chemical Corporation for its workers, Overlook Colony has provided affordable housing for its residents for over a century. The historic community is architecturally unique but faced challenges in more recent years. The CRDC and its partners are currently in the process of renovating 18 units for affordable homeownership. More homes are to follow, as are planned safety and infrastructure investments.
Tri-State Mall Redevelopment
The increasing abandoned and rundown former Tri-state Mall site offered an opportunity to transform the once tax-free shopping center that drew from a regional audience into a job center offering area residents much needed employment opportunities. This 41-acre property located off of I-95 and I-495 is currently in the process of becoming a logistics/fulfillment center that will add hundreds of new jobs. As an additional benefit to the community, the developer produced plans that also improve the aesthetics of the site and surrounding area.
