Seaford on the Rise

BY TRISHA NEWCOMER

SEAFORD… it truly is the Perfect Place To Start, and many projects are doing just that. A once booming industrial town, which suffered the loss of jobs and talent from the departure of DuPont, is now making a diversified comeback. Even during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, building permits continued to rise—both commercially and residentially.

Mearfield, a single-family housing community slated for 213 homes, recently completed phase two and developers are quickly shifting to the infrastructure installation in phase three. These single-family homes were often sold before they were ever built. Additionally, there are multiple housing projects working through the process, which could produce an additional 600-plus single family homes at full build out. In addition to single-family, several new market rate rental opportunities were completed, such as the townhomes in Belle Ayre or the Residences at Riverplace; building number three of this beautiful luxury riverfront apartment complex was just completed.

Downtown Seaford has also been part of Seaford’s rise and success in growth since receiving the Downtown Delaware Designation in 2015 from then Governor Jack Markell. This wildly successful rebate program administered through the Delaware State Housing Authority provides developers the opportunity to leverage State dollars. Once nearly vacant, downtown Seaford has seen approximately $29.7 million of private investment, leveraged against approximately $2.8 million of state, county, and local incentives. All of which have contributed to a now 95% fully occupied and flourishing downtown, with both commercial and residential opportunities.

Governor John Carney joins Sen. Bryant Richardson, Seaford Mayor David Genshaw, Rob Herrera, and Rep. Daniel Short to announce the public/private partnership that will transform the Nylon Capital Shopping Center.

“The transformations are truly exciting to see. The City is positioning itself for high quality growth to last decades. From our first-class healthcare facilities, our robust businesses and shopping opportunities, our riverfront boardwalk at Oyster House Park, and our forward-thinking Mayor and City Council, opportunities are abundant here in the City of Seaford” said City Manager Charles Anderson.

Growth continues to happen in areas zoned for light manufacturing as well. The Seaford Industrial Park and Ross Business Park are nearly full, with a few new projects currently underway. The City, in partnership with Sussex County and the State of Delaware, recently completed the first phase of the newly created Western Sussex Business Campus (WSBC).

The Residences at Riverplace is a gated waterfront community with luxury apartments and picturesque views of the Nanticoke River.

Recently five lots in the WSBC were sold to KRM Development Corporation, headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland. KRM is well on their way to construction of their first two 70,000 square feet facilities. As these parks continue to build out and prosper, they will provide much needed jobs not only for the residents of the Seaford community but the surrounding region as well.

Stark run-down reminders of what Seaford “once was” are soon undergoing transformation as well. The former Nylon Capital Shopping Center, which has been a blight on our community for many years, was recently purchased by the Ninth Street Development Corporation who have great plans for a total renovation of the 22-acre property into an innovation district. The group already has commitments from Delaware Technical Community College and The Mill to locate additional facilities at this site, but they continue working to combine additional educational, healthcare, retail, and recreational opportunities for the community.

Mayor David Genshaw remarked, “It’s an exciting time in Seaford seeing revitalization occurring just about everywhere—from our reinvigorated historic downtown to new infrastructure on U.S. Route 13, which is now allowing future projects to come online. The investments going into the WSBC and the more than $50 million of public/private investment towards the redevelopment of the former Nylon Capital Shopping Center are just a few of many things to be excited about in Seaford.”

Seaford is truly on the move and projects such as these are just the start. If you have an interest in being part of Seaford’s upward trajectory reach out to the City of Seaford Economic Development team today at 302-629-9173.

Trisha Newcomer is director of economic development and community relations at the City of Seaford.