Delaware City Council Approval expands Historic Downtown Main Street

Delaware City Real EstateDelaware City Mayor & Council has approved a Minor Subdivision Plan creating three new single family homes overlooking the Downtown Main Street District. The vote follows approvals from the Planning Commission, Historical Preservation and the Board of Adjustments.

The approved plan will further extend the Waterfront Downtown Main Street revitalization and creates three new homes with a Resort Lifestyle designed for Active Adults. Historic Architecture, multi-level porch design and elevated single floor living boast panoramic views of the Main Street District and the Delaware River. The NeoTriditionial design creates outdoor covered porch living space and potential Live-Work setting. Designed with rear ally access and oversized two car garages for the hobbiest or craftsman. Elegant smart designs include Energy Star Efficiency, Andersen Windows, Composite materials, professional landscape and low maintenance exteriors.

Created to enhance the Active Waterfront Marina Community and in keeping the Eco Friendly walkable town, these homes will soon be available for purchase.

For more information visit our Delaware City Real Estate Section

Delaware City – New American Birding Association Headquarters

Delaware City BirdingThe American Birding Association, The Cirty of Delaware City and The State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources held an event this past Thursday announcing the ABA’s new headquarters which will be located in the historic Central Hotel building here in Delaware City. This move is being considered a huge ecotourism catch by Gov. Jack Markell.

“We believe birding can play an important role in expanding our multi-billion dollar tourism industry,” Markell said during the announcement on the steps of the city’s historic Central Hotel, an 1830s structure now undergoing renovation largely for birding association use.

City Manager Dick Cathcart says the town, situated on the northern end of the Delaware Bayshore Initiative, is trying to become a hub for eco-tourism in the state. It’s already home to the ferry to Fort Delaware and Pea Patch Island and is in the process of connecting to various nearby trails, including the Castle trail at the C&D canal. Cathcart says the American Birding Association first in nicely and anticipates it will provide a significant boost and the town’s economy.

“You have a demographic like the birders coming in. The disposable income for that group is pretty high, so obviously its going to help our commercial district. It’s just a win-win for us,” said Cathcart.

 The ABA expects to be fully moved in to the Central Hotel in about a year, after renovations the building that dates to the 1830s are complete. It will occupy two floors of the Central Hotel with a vistors’ center on the first floor and offices for an expected 7 employees on the second.

For more information regarding the American Birding Association, please visit them online.

Delaware-City-Tree-Program

“Trees for Delaware City” Program Wins National Award

Back in 2011, The Delaware Center for Horticulture developed a program to bring low cost trees to homeowners in Delaware City and educate people about the benefits of planting trees. “Trees for Energy Conservation: Delaware City” was the first of the new program from DCH. The campaign resulted in the sale of 86 trees, which was actually 15 percent more trees than were expected to sell. Each tree was later assessed by a professional and it was documented that all trees were planted correctly for the best possible energy conservation.

Just last week, this campaign to plant trees in Delaware City was recognized at the National Federation of Press Women’s nation banquet, winning the Public Service Program category. Congratulations to the Delaware Center for Horticulture and to Delaware City! Another step in the right direction for this amazing little town.

DMV Coming Soon to Delaware City

Bigger and better DMV coming soon to Delaware City

Work will soon get underway on the new $20 million DMV on Route 13 just south of Route 72 near Delaware City.  The 42,000 sq. ft. building has been designed to better serve the growing New Castle County population better than the existing facility it will replace.

“One of the most important things is size,” said Delaware DMV Director Jennifer Cohan.  “At the [current DMV on Airport Road] that we’re replacing, the neighborhoods have built up around it.”  That community growth has prohibited efforts to increase the capacity at that site.  “Size is definitely an issue there, whether it’s parking or internal.”

The current DMV facility, which first opened in 1965, serves between 600-1,500 on a daily basis and averages about 38,800 customers every month. The new facility will be able to serve those numbers and is designed to handle additional growth in the driving population.  While the current DMV has four inspection lanes and about 30 service windows, the new facility will have ten inspection lanes and many more front-line stations.  “We’re also going to have a wall of self-service kiosks,” said Cohan, which should speed up the amount of time drivers have to spend at the DMV.

Since taking over as DMV director in 2007, Cohan has been on an ongoing mission to make the DMV experience better for Delaware drivers.  “We have an interesting reputation nationwide,” said Cohan.  “The only way to change that is to win customers back one at a time, and that’s exactly what we vow to do.”

The new DMV has been designed to meet LEED Silver Certification for a number of environmentally friendly systems, including a high level of insulation, which should help reduce the building’s energy costs.

Construction will get underway soon.  The building should open to the public in late 2014.

Delaware City Going Green: Saving $1 Million with Solar

Delaware City is a part of New Castle County that has long been known for it’s production of fossil fuels but our new 2.5 acre field of solar panels means enormous savings for the city, with no negative impact on our environment. 

In June, state and local officials unveiled our 500kw/hr solar farm that aims to save Delaware City $1 million on utility bills over our 20 year contract with SolarCity. 1,900 solar panels were installed using the Solar Renewable Energy Credit, which meant no cost to Delaware City.  Through SolarCity, the town will buy energy for a discounted rate of $.05/kwh – Approximately half of current costs. 

Our solar farm equates to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 500 tons of carbon dioxide. This reduction is the equivalent of Delaware City taking 100 cars off of the road. 

The most amazing part is that this project produces 96% of the city’s current usage and with a little more tweaking of efficiency, it could be 100%. This is truly an amazing feat for our city.

The Great Blue Music Festival

Throughout the summer, Delaware City hosts live music in Battery park. Feel free to join us for some relaxing summer fun and good music, but make sure to bring some bug spray and a blanket. We hope to see you there!

For the month of August, 2013, every Saturday at 5:30PM in Battery Park:

“The Great Blue Music Festival” featuring:

August 3rd : Keith, Smith & Hawkins
August 10th: Gary Cogdell
August 17th: Reunion
August 24th: EB Vintage Review

Schedule of Events – Delaware City Day 2013

It’s almost time for Delaware City Day! Just five days away, make sure to come join the fun.

Schedule of Events for Delaware City Day 2013 is as follows:

10AM : Food and Craft Vendor Area Opens
10AM : Kids Games and Activities Open
10AM : Live Broadcast by WSTW Radio on Air
11AM : 33rd Annual Parade starts on 5th St. and Clinton St.
12:30PM – 4PM : “Larry Tucker Band” on Main Stage
1:30PM : Parade Awards presentation on Main Stage
2PM : “Bingo in the Park” Opens
2PM : Hospital Race on Clinton St.
6PM – 8PM : Live Music by “Accolade” at the Gazebo
9:15PM : “GREATEST FIREWORKS EVER”

Don’t miss it!

Delaware City Ferry Expands Operating Schedule

The Delaware City-Salem Ferry service has expanded its schedule to operate Wednesday through Sunday through Sept. 2 from Delaware City and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only from Salem.

The Delaware City-Salem Ferry operates between Delaware City, Del., Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island and Barber’s Basin in Salem.

The passenger ferry, owned by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, began its public schedule on May 4 on a weekend-only basis.  

Delaware City Day 2013

Since 1980 the Delaware City Day Celebration has been a full day of fun family entertainment. The goal is to honor and celebrate our riverfront town’s historic architecture and our “small town America” culture. This will ultimately foster the continued preservation of Delaware City’s place in history, now and in the future.

This celebration is organized by the Delaware City Day Committee which is an all volunteer committee appointed by the City of Delaware City. The event is made possible in part through State grant-in-aid money. Additional funding comes from fund raising sales and contributions from our many corporate neighbors.

Mark your calendars!! Delaware City Day is Saturday, July 20, 2013. Anyone interested in volunteering for the best Delaware City Day ever, contact Dick Cathcart at 834-4573. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at Town Hall at 6 PM.

A schedule of events will be coming soon. Hope to see everyone there, it’s going to be a blast!

Delaware River and Bay Authority continues to seek public input to rebrand Three Forts Ferry (2)

The Delaware River and Bay Authority continues to accept ideas to rename and rebrand the agency’s Three Forts Ferry Service until Sept. 21.

Individuals are encouraged to participate in the contest for a chance to win $300.  

Last month, members of the Bi-State Coalition, including Delaware River and Bay Authority officials and representatives of Fort Mott, Fort Delaware, Delaware City and Salem County, announced the group’s intention to rebrand and rename the Three Forts Ferry Service on the Delaware River.