Newark City Council Moves Forward with Six-Story Apartment Project
This post was originally written by Digital Content Intern Patrick LaPorte. LaPorte is a senior media communications major at the University of Delaware, working as a news and sports reporter for The Review and sports director for 91.3 WVUD at UD.
City officials on Monday night gave developers a greenlight to begin construction on a six-story multi-use apartment, parking and retail complex on the corner of East Main Street and Haines Street. The project, headed by The Newark Main Street Acquisition Co., will extend from Main Street to Delaware Avenue and would incorporate the buildings currently occupied by a Duck Donuts, Del-One Federal Credit Union and Starbucks. The proposed project passed in a 5-1 vote.
The approval comes after the council rejected the project by a vote of 4-3 on May 10. Shortly after the initial vote, the council decided to revote on the project due to the legal reasoning of council members that rejected the project in accordance to the city code. “I know there has been many conversations about this project in particular,” Mayor Jerry Clifton said. “I think what needs to be recognized is that our code, whether you agree with it or disagree with it at this point in time, allows for the size of this building to be built.”
Councilwoman Dwendolyn Creecy and Councilwoman Sharon Hughes voted to reject the project in May. Creecy and Hughes both voted in favor of the project on Monday. Despite her vote of approval, Hughes described her disappointment in the University of Delaware’s reliance on the city to house students. “When the university got out of the dormitories it became the City of Newark’s problem,” Hughes said. “They took away our houses and took away our Main Street cause what’s on Main Street is apartments and restaurants.” Councilman Jay Bancroft was the only dissenting vote and was one of the four council members to vote against the project back in May. Bancroft cited space issues and the disruption it would have on the surrounding community. “I have a problem with the amount of open space,” Bancroft said Monday. “Because of this open space I think you will have problems with the neighborhood.”
The complex will consist of 80 two-bedroom apartments and 221 parking spaces with 101 of the spaces managed by the city and the other 120 reserved for tenants. The building will become the tallest building in Newark and will stand at a height of 78 feet.