Last week, this column mentioned some of the issues faced by the administration of New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon as it works to develop an economic strategy in conjunction with the City of Wilmington.
A couple of recent news stories illustrated the situation.
First, the Delaware Supreme Court upheld a Chancery Court ruling on deed restrictions related to the former Three Little Bakers golf course. The course, barring some additional legal maneuvers, will be open space.
Not far away, in Newark, the City Council, over the protests of a an empowered group of activists who stopped the Data Centers project, placed a time limit on meetings that were running absurdly late. The county had little say regarding the goings on in Newark, but should be concerned over the message being sent by this relatively small group.
The Gordon administration – in what may have been seen as a wise move at the time – remained neutral on the Data Centers project, even though it would have created the blue collar construction jobs that are a top priority.
In reading the findings from the county report the University of Delaware STAR Campus, remains one of the key attractions when it comes to bringing jobs to the area.
But looming in the background are the motivated activists, who, depending on their mood, might object to almost any project.
With the lack of a galvanizing issue, their influence is likely to fade over time, but not before much damage is done in terms of the civility that once marked the debate over issues going before the City Council and the toll it has taken on city staff.
Meanwhile, out-of-state companies, knowing that other areas will welcome them with open arms and tax abatements may well avoid the Newark area, minus large tax-draining incentives.
The Pike Creek issue is trickier. But the fact remains that the county – by spending a reported $400,000 in the fight to preserve the land and not seeking a compromise plan – said no to some blue collar jobs that do not require advanced degrees.
Then we have the Barley Mill situation, which is mired in legal mumbo jumbo over traffic studies and the real estate law nuances that led to another legal victory for the county. It now appears the site might see piecemeal development that will have little impact on the tax base. In the end, a creative city center plan that brings housing and retail to the site, would create construction jobs, and if the right sort of retailers come to the site, living wages.
Add in the opposition to a Wal Mart in New Castle and it is understandable why those scouting the market are wary.
The Gordon administration deserves credit for starting the conversation and for looking for ways to alter the Unified Development Code so it does not automatically add another year to the development time frame for even the most desirable projects.
Gordon clearly understands the sense of urgency and a friendlier environment would clearly help in putting together big projects like the redevelopment of the steel mill site in Claymont.
The county executive only needs to look to the Town of Middletown, where powerful mayor Ken Branner has used tax abatements, decent schools and a friendlier development stance to add to the tax base.
Never mind that many residents are commuting long distances and adding to traffic congestion up north.
In the end, the county administration will continue to face the question posed in the 1930s union anthem “Which Side are You On.” Will it side with the not in my backyard folks or move in the direction of seeking “win win” solutions that can more quickly build employment?
