Wilmington University buys 41 acres off Concord Pike for expansion

163
Advertisement

Wilmington University announced the purchase of 41 acres bordered by Concord Pike, Beaver Valley Road and Thompson Bridge Road. (See green area of map).

The  University purchased the acreage from Woodlawn Trustees, Inc. to meet the needs of its growth by building its 14th location in the Brandywine Valley. Enrollment at the private university is approaching 20,000.

The new location will feature

  • Space for new classrooms and administrative offices buildings, as well as a  a 50,000 square foot main classroom building.
  • Sufficient parking with access by students and the community through an  entrance not located on Concord Pike to minimize impact on traffic during peak traffic times.
  • Buildings set back 100 feet from the road on all sides.

“The Wilmington University Board of Trustees sees this property as an opportunity to serve the surrounding North Wilmington communities,” said Dr. Jack Varsalona, president of Wilmington University. “We understand the scenic and historical value of this beautiful landscape. This is as much an opportunity for Talleyville and the Brandywine Hundred as the University.”

Advertisement

Wilmington University has been ranked as the fourth fastest growing private, nonprofit university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education in The Almanac of Higher Education 2001 – 2011.

It is also ranked as the second fastest growing private, nonprofit doctoral institution in the U.S. 2002 – 2012 by The Almanac, with a 90.7 percent  increase over that 10-year period.

“Wilmington University has grown tremendously over the last decade. We owe it to our students to provide them with greater access to high quality, affordable education with the least amount of inconvenience and travel,” Varsalona continued. “We also recognize our responsibility to the community. There are few better uses for this acreage than to build a school that helps students to reach greater success in their chosen careers. All things considered, this expansion will set the course for the university for the next 10 years.”

The tract purchased by Wilmington College has generated controversy over the years with residents complaining about traffic from  possible commercial developments at the site.

Woodlawn Trustees owns large tracts of land, much of it open space,  and from time to time sells off properties to meet its other goal of providing affordable housing.

Woodlawn is currently locked in a dispute with some residents in an area just north of the Delaware line.  Woodlawn proposes residential and some commercial development.

Advertisement
Advertisement