Ground was broken for Phase 4 of The Flats, a multiphase housing project in Wilmington that is redeveloping Wilmington property dating from the early 1900s into high-quality affordable housing for low-income individuals and those with disabilities.
The Todmorden Foundation is leading the project through its partnership with Woodlawn Trustees.
The Flats represents a capital investment of more than $110 million in the city. The project has created hundreds of construction and auxiliary service jobs and spurred new development in the neighborhood.
Phase 4 of The Flats focuses on the intersection of Bayard Avenue and West 7th St. in Wilmington. The Flats is a seven-phase project that, when complete, will consist of 434 units with access to public transportation, on-site supportive services, 24-hour maintenance services, free wireless internet, and an on-site community center.
Several political leaders, dignitaries and community leaders attended the celebratory groundbreaking, including U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki.
The Rockford Woodlawn Foundation, Discover Bank, the Delaware General Assembly, Laffey McHugh Foundation, Nathan Clark Fund, and City of Wilmington HOME Funds have provided a total of $2.95 million in grants for The Flats. Delaware State Housing Authority provided $5 million in funding support for the project through the state’s Housing Development Fund and Covid-19 Gap Funding.
“I could not be more optimistic about the future of our city,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “There are numerous examples today of how Wilmington is growing and becoming stronger. This reinvigorated neighborhood— indeed community — known as The Flats is a superior example of why Wilmington’s future looks bright. I congratulate you on the careful and thoughtful multiphase redevelopment of William Bancroft’s original project of 120 years ago. This is a true game-changer in terms of job creation and economic development and addressing the need for quality affordable housing while bringing about overall neighborhood improvement. My thanks to Richard Przywara and our friends at Woodlawn Trustees, as well as all of the project partners that are making this new vision of The Flats a reality.”
