Wilmington Housing Partnership

Building Communities Block by Block, Brick by Brick

(302) 576- 3000

Wilmington Housing Partnership, Delaware

Wilmington Housing Partnership's Chairman of the Board comments on Extreme Home Makeover's visit to our City: Developer Rob Buccini is president of the board of the Wilmington Housing Partnership, a city-managed nonprofit."There are already really good pockets of housing being built every day in every neighborhood in Wilmington right now, just not as quick," he said. "I think "Extreme Makeover" will accelerate the momentum that already exists."

WHP News

Franklin Chase (6^th & Franklin Streets): We are making great progress towards the completion of this community.

Sales: We have 14 out of 16 sold with a few more potential buyers who are working through the pre-approval process. We hold open houses weekly that are extremely successful. We have also acquired, rehabbed and sold 1322 W. 6^th Street for $129,000. Settlement is scheduled for the end of July.

Construction: We are making steady progress and looking at an end of July completion date for the first phase of homes on the south side of McCoy Way. On the north side, foundations and framing are complete. These homes are expected to be completed by October 2008. The last 3 homes at the end of McCoy Way were approved by Zoning Board and should be completed by Spring of 2009.

Franklin Chase II: Our sales office located at 1211 W. 6^th Street is listed on the market for $124,500. We acquired 1209 and 1207 W. 6^th street. Rehabilitation plans for these homes are underway. We have 1323 W. 6^th Street listed at $169,500 and it’s about 85% complete.

Villas of Little Italy: Last summer the restaurant (Dinardo’s) was rehabilitated into 2 town homes and sold at $200,000 each. The 5 new construction homes across the street are well underway. Three out of the 5 units are already sold. The 2 single family homes are selling for $239,000. The 3 town homes are selling for $220,000. So far, we have received $150,000 from the builder and will receive $250,000 as the new homes go to settlement. The first 3 homes are about 85% completed.

Scattered Site Properties: We have many scattered properties in various stages of
rehabilitation.

419 W 22^nd St- duplex being converted to a 4 BR home, 20% complete, listed at $200,000

915 Vandever Ave- interior demolished, interior plans being developed (list price not
determined)

517 E 8^th St- rehab in progress, about 85% completed, listed at $124,500

607 E 7^th St- correcting structural problems, working on interior design, awaiting
historic review

906 E 7^th St- major renovations necessary on this site

West 3^rd Street- We’re working with the City to acquire 4 lots in the 1800 block of West 3^rd Street. This is where several homes were accidentally blown up a few years ago.

Claymont Street- We are also working with the City to acquire 2 vacant lots and build 7 homes at 14^th &Claymont Streets.

Carter Street- We recently acquired 9 abandoned properties on Carter and E. 22^nd Streets. Plans are being developed. We are looking to work with GBVR on this project.

7^th StreetCorridor: We purchased 225 W. 7^th Street for $110,000 at sheriff sale. Design drawings are being done so rehabilitation can begin. We are looking to sell this property as is. We have replaced the roof and performed a clean out. We have done selected demo at 216 W. 7^th and are awaiting the final designs. The City has a home they would like for us to acquire at 617 W. Tatnall. We are reviewing a proposal to build 4 new homes on the intersection of 7^th & Tatnall Streets.

Village of Browntown: Kevin Kelley has set up a constituent group to review plans and issues of mutual interests. There have been very amicable meetings and I believe we are making real progress.

Façade Program: The Façade program is moving forward for the neighboring residents of Franklin Chase. The City of Wilmington’s Real Estate & Housing department is receiving inquiries and they have approximately 30 applications on file for those interested in this outreach effort to the community.

Wilmington Housing Partnership Notes
from the Executive Director
Jerry Cain

Project updates

June 2008
Edition 42

Nonprofit to build new houses on Wilmington's west side
ADAM TAYLOR, Staff

The News Journal

WILMINGTON -- New town houses could be built on the site of an explosion five years ago that some neighbors say has become a playground for children during the day and others say is a haven for drug addicts at night.

City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to transfer six vacant lots in the 1800 block of W. Third St. to the Wilmington Housing Partnership, a mostly privately funded nonprofit group that is administered by the city and will oversee the development of the new town houses.

The motion passed 9-0 with four people absent.

The area wasn't always vacant. A construction accident on July 2, 2003, led to an explosion that injured 14 people, displaced several families and leveled two row houses. The blast was caused when a sidewalk contractor hit a live gas line. Other row houses were damaged so badly they had to be demolished.

It has taken the city five years to acquire the properties from their owners, at a total cost of $145,000, Wilmington spokesman John Rago said. It also cost the city $60,000 to demolish the buildings and clear the site, he said.

"Five years was way too long to have a block that was blown up and not addressed," said Councilman Kevin F. Kelley. "It probably took longer than it should have."

"We made it clear soon after that fateful day in July of 2003 that we were ready to rebuild the neighborhood, but some matters don't always reach a conclusion as quickly as we might like," Mayor James M. Baker said in a statement Thursday. "I am happy that we stayed with this project, acquired the properties as quickly as possible, and are now ready to move forward."

Jerry Cain, the partnership's executive director, said in the statement that as many as five town houses will be built on the lots, which are in the middle of the block. He said they would be designed to look like the row houses on each end of the block. Cain said he didn't know how much it would cost to build the houses, but categorized them as "affordable, owner-occupied housing." The project should take about a year to complete, Cain said.

Julio Juan, who owns one of the houses next to the lots, said he was happy to hear about the town houses and is eager for the project to proceed. Kids playing on the lot have broken windows and pierced the vinyl siding on the side of his property, he said.

"Filling in the gap on the block with town homes will be a nice addition," he said. "I think everyone on the block will support it." Juan said he rents the property and lost at least 18 months of rent when it became vacant after the explosion.

Betty Smith, 49, rents a home across the street. She said kids play soccer, football and kickball on the lot during the day. Even though she thinks the lots were put to good use, she's happy about the latest development. Smith moved into the home about 18 months after the explosion across the street.

"I'm just glad they're going to do something with it," she said. "Town houses are fine. A finished playground would be fine. I'm just tired of walking onto the porch and staring at nothing."

Belinda Lawrence, 35, who lives on the 200 block of Scott St., said drug addicts would sneak into the dark shadows of the block late at night. A lawn mower and another item were stolen from her yard, she said.

"Crackheads have been out there at night for years," she said. "Not something you want next to your yard."

(302) 576- 3000

WHP News

Wilmington Housing Partnership Notes from the Executive Director Jerry Cain

Wilmington Housing Partnership Notes
from the Executive Director
Jerry Cain