Officials were on hand for the ground breaking of Alder Creek, affordable housing community.
Once built, Alder Creek will include 56 one- to four-bedroom apartment homes in 13 two-story buildings.
Each residence will have a private entrance, front porch, rear balcony or patio, and parking. The buildings will be situated so as to create a large community green that will allow for active and passive recreational opportunities.
“It’s exciting to see the Alder Creek development put spade to soil and begin construction,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “This new community will help meet the area’s pressing need for affordable housing and will have a positive impact on residents including families with small children.”
Alder Creek will also feature a community building which will house a meeting room, laundry facilities, a fitness center, maintenance space and an after-school program, supported by full-time, on-site maintenance and management staff. The community building will house the community’s leasing office as well.
Families with children will be able to use a large playground and will benefit from a comprehensive services program that will be established — complete with a part-time coordinator — to bring in outside service providers.
“Ingerman prides itself on developing housing communities in regions and neighborhoods where they can make a difference,” said Brad Ingerman, CEO of Ingerman, developer of the community.“We’re honored that so many statewide and local leaders joined us to break ground, which is indicative of the widespread support and partnership that have made this project possible.”
Alder Creek is being built on a site that has, for years, been a “brownfield.” Rather than abandoning it, Ingerman, along with the Delaware State Housing Authority, HUD and the Newark Housing Authority decided to put the site to use.
The community is being financed through federal tax credits, a bank loan and funding for environmental cleanup from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
“When government and the private sector work together to meet the interests of our citizens, great things can happen,” said Sen. Chris Coons. “Alder Creek is an example of how vision can become reality if there is a spirit of partnership. In this case, we are realizing the potential of a conveniently located, but neglected, parcel of land to build a community that provides new housing options for families of moderate means.”
