The Riverfront Development Corporation is planning to relocate a Salvation Army rehabilitation center away from its waterfront property, clearing the way to redevelop that "critical" piece of land opposite the Riverfront commercial district.
The residential rehabilitation center is on the eastern bank of the Christina River, the side developers and officials have long eyed as "new territory" as developable land on the western bank disappears.
The RDC, the quasi-public, state-funded entity that promotes private development of the Christina and Brandywine riverbanks, is proposing to move the Salvation Army center, thrift store that funds it and a warehouse to an empty lot near the 76ers Fieldhouse.
The RDC's executive director, Megan McGlinchey, said they approached the Salvation Army years ago to purchase the property, .
The parcel by the Fieldhouse, owned by the RDC, fits the Salvation Army's need to be located on a bus line and a high-traffic street for customers to easily access the thrift store, McGlinchey said.
RIVERFRONT LAND: Corporation Service Co. may get state land deal with Wilmington building plans
A city zoning board this month approved the RDC's request for the Salvation Army to operate its treatment program at the proposed new site on Walnut Street. The new center would have 80 beds, according to the zoning application documents obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal, roughly the same size as the current dormitory.
McGlinchey wouldn't say how much the RDC offered for the riverfront property, citing a confidentiality agreement. Whether the RDC pays for the construction of the new rehab facility and thrift store is up for negotiation, she said.
Representatives of the Salvation Army did not respond to requests for comment.
WILMINGTON DEVELOPMENT: Can planned apartments at former factory push development beyond Wilmington Riverfront?
The rehab center sits at 107 S. Market St., at a "critical location" where the Christina River curves and runs past the city's downtown, McGlinchey said.
On one side is undeveloped waterfront land owned by the Buccini-Pollin Group, and on the other, across Market Street, is BPG's Christina Landing townhomes and high-rise apartments.
The RDC has long planned a mix of commercial and residential development on this side of the Christina River, that could be ushered along by the near-completion of a bridge connecting the Riverfront and south Wilmington.
Down the river from the Salvation Army, a Maryland company is planning a $32 million apartment complex on A Street.
THE DETAILS: $32 million apartments latest massive development planned along Christina River
BPG's construction arm is assisting the RDC pro bono in the relocation project, McGlinchey said.
"They own several adjacent properties in that area so they're involved in facilitating those conversations about what could be possibly developed" at the Salvation Army site, McGlinchey said.
BPG's executive vice president for development, Mike Hare, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Salvation Army expanded and moved its Adult Rehabilitation Center to south Wilmington in 1986, after the city ordered the nonprofit to move from its previous French Street location to make way for downtown redevelopment.
Salvation Army leaders told The News Journal at the time they weren't given enough time or funds by the city for the move. But the relocation ultimately came in under budget, according to News Journal archives. Leisure activities for program clients included fishing in the dormitory's backyard.
The Salvation Army's land was again offered up for redevelopment in 2009, when city and state officials tried to lure ING Direct bank to expand its riverfront headquarters.
The incentives package included the Salvation Army's current lot and adjoining land owned by BPG and by the city. ING Direct was later acquired by Capitol One.
Jeanne Kuang covers Wilmington for The News Journal. Contact her at jkuang@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2476. Follow her on Twitter at @JeanneKuang.
"along" - Google News
June 26, 2020 at 04:13PM
https://ift.tt/2ZdX1Zy
Salvation Army to move for further redevelopment along Wilmington riverfront - The News Journal
"along" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2z4LAdj
https://ift.tt/35rGyU8
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Salvation Army to move for further redevelopment along Wilmington riverfront - The News Journal"
Post a Comment