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The City of Wilmington’s Neighborhood Redevelopment and Stabilization Program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is moving forward as the first eastside rehabilitated rental property has been finished and is on the market. In January, Mayor Mike Purzycki announced an anticipated $50 million residential redevelopment and stabilization plan which is the most ambitious housing and neighborhood plan in Wilmington’s history.
The City’s plan includes investments in new construction, full rehabilitation of existing homes, façade, systems, and roof improvements for current homeowners, and the demolition of dilapidated and vacant properties. The first phase of neighborhood redevelopment—totaling approximately $30 million—is starting to take shape on the City’s historic east side in an area bounded by Walnut to Church Streets, and from Fourth Street to 11th Street.
One of Wilmington’s neighborhood development partners is Woodlawn Trustees, which has completed the first of 20 planned rental property rehabilitations in eastside Wilmington. The inaugural property is located at 1323 North Walnut Street, just blocks from Downtown Wilmington and the City’s Government Center. Woodlawn will renovate 19 more vacant homes and offer them to individuals and families at 80% of the area’s median income. The Walnut Street property has been renovated to include the removal of any traces of lead paint, new windows and flooring, a new roof, an updated bathroom with laundry facilities on the second floor, and a fully renovated kitchen. The home has a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, one bath, and a backyard deck.
The Walnut Street property was renovated by the facilities staff of Woodlawn Trustees, and by James Furlough Construction, a minority-owned contractor. The Mayor and its housing development partners have pledged to use minority contractors as much as possible as the neighborhood work continues throughout the City. Woodlawn said it has been overwhelmed with the interest in the new property as it reviews more than 100 applications with a goal of selecting the occupant by the beginning of April.
Mayor Purzycki today thanked Woodlawn Trustees President and CEO Rich Przywara and the Woodlawn Board of Trustees for their historic commitment to improved housing and stronger neighborhoods in Wilmington. President Przywara said Woodlawn has been a provider of affordable rental housing in Wilmington since the early 1900’s; with housing at the Flats on Union Street, and over 100 units on the east side of the City. He said today’s Walnut Street property announcement marks the start a program to make updated and quality homes more available for years to come.
For further information contact Woodlawn Trustees: woodlawntrustees.com [woodlawntrustees.com]
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