Smart Growth Index (SGI) was used to assess the benefits of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) for Edgemoor, Delaware, a community in the Wilmington Metropolitan Area. The proposal is for the redevelopment of Merchant's Square, an abandoned shopping center, that is currently a blighted and underutilized property. The size and location of the site give it the potential to become an effective TOD, and serve as both an economic and public transit hub for the community.

A TOD is a mix of land uses, residential, office, shopping, civic uses, and entertainment, within easy walking distance of a transit station. Compared to current development trends, TODs can protect water and air resources and reduce impacts on the land. The close proximity of land uses and transit decreases people's dependence on driving for access to shopping, services, jobs, and recreation by giving them the choice of utilizing other forms of transportation. These transportation options can help lower air emissions. TODs can also benefit regional water quality by concentrating development and reusing previously developed land - thereby reducing development pressure on open space. Reuse of previously developed land often means accommodating new development with out any increase in impervious surface or runoff.

SGI was used to evaluate three different land use and transportation scenarios for the site, each focusing on the redevelopment of Merchant's Square but with different transportation improvements:

• Scenario 1: A full rehabilitation of Merchant's Square, and local transportation improvements that are limited to the completion of the sidewalk network within the project site. This scenario is expected to produce 1,250 new jobs on site.
• Scenario 2: All the improvements of scenario 1, plus the renovation of 85 apartments adjacent to a current apartment complex, and the construction of 58 additional townhouses. No additional transportation changes would be made.
• Scenario 3: All the improvements of scenarios 1 and 2, plus the additional transit improvements needed for the site to contain all the parts of a successful TOD. This scenario includes the Fox Point Train Station adjacent to Merchant's Square and three new bus stops serving the train station and the shopping center.

The site was evaluated on the three-redevelopment scenarios based on land use, housing, employment, transportation and environmental indicators

Results:

SGI analysis showed that the existing conditions at the site contain population densities, mixes of residential types, and housing proximity to transit to support some transit services, but also show that the viability for transit increases significantly for the three-redevelopment scenarios when compared with the current conditions.

The table above highlights the percentage difference in the listed indicators between current conditions and scenario 3 - the option with the greatest amount of TOD elements.

• The balance between jobs and housing showed a 463 percent increase, thus allowing an increased probability of trips made by means other than automobile.
• The average distance of homes and employment to transit decreased by 2.2 percent and 39.2 percent respectively The walkability index, or ease of walking to key amenities, increased 21 percent in large part due to the sidewalk completeness increasing over 68 percent.
• Scenario 3 showed a 20 percent decrease in vehicle trips and an 18.5 percent decrease in vehicle miles traveled. This decrease in automobile usage would result in an 18.4 percent reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, an 18.5 percent decrease in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions, and a 14.1 percent decrease in the emission of oxides of nitrogen (NOX).

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http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/LIS141.NSF/2bede841c6272c888025698400433a04/2070023c5989660785256be500766751?OpenDocument

SPONSOR:	Rep. D. Ennis & Rep. Smith
& Rep. Valihura & Rep. Lavelle & Rep. Brady

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http://www.ccobh.com/minutesJuly2003.htm

July 2003 Meeting Notes 

An announcement by County Executive Tom Gordon on Merchant's Square, updates on plans for two Brandywine Hundred Parks, potentially bad news on the Channin School site and presentation of two development proposals made for a fast-paced session, with attendees overflowing the main meeting room at the Brandywine Hundred Library.

Gordon announced that the county intends to take over Merchant's Square using "Right of Eminent Domain" regulations.  Under this law the property could be acquired by the county  by payment of a fair market price even though owner Frank Acierno has recently reiterated that the long-blighted shopping plaza isn't for sale.  No final plans have been made for use of the 25-acre parcel, although Gordon said that a park was one idea under consideration.  Prior to Gordon's announcement, Chief Administrative Officer Sherry Freebery, who is expected to run for county executive, summarized current county projects relevant to Brandywine Hundred. 

County Council President Chris Coons, also a likely contender for Gordon's job, said that there was "never a dull moment" in working with Tom Gordon.  Coons said that application of "eminent domain" by the county was a potentially good idea.  He also suggested that attendees should be giving input to the redistricting process through their councilmanic representatives or their representatives on the redistricting committee. 

Rick Browne gave another impassioned speech against enlargement of council.  Although technically the enlargement could be stopped in the next legislative session, most participants see little likelihood of this.  

Chuck Landry updated the group on possible disposition of the Channin school site.  A survey of the surrounding neighborhood showed that 83 percent of Channin residents wanted the site maintained as open space for active and passive recreation.  CCOBH has backed this plan as being best for both the immediate neighborhood and Brandywine Hundred as a whole.  However, legislation appended by Wayne Smith to the recently passed bond bill turned control of this property (and the site of the Old Mill Lane school) over to the state.  This means that the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) may be able to follow through on a plan to develop the site as office space for a non-profit organization. 

In another development issue, Bill Rhodunda reviewed the preliminary plans (first presented at the May meeting) of Setting Properties for the age-restricted development of 186 apartment units at Village of Brandywine on 202 just north of Brandywine Town Center.  He said that the Mousley farmhouse on the property would be restored for use as a community meeting center. 

Bob Forwood discussed possible options for development of the family property on the west side of Silverside Road across from Branmar Plaza.  The property includes the Forwood School, built in 1799.  One plan would be to develop the area for residential use only.  Forwood would prefer to have a mix of age-restricted residential, including semi-detached units, and office use, with two office buildings built between the residential portion and the back of the GRAYLYN shopping plaza.  This plan would require rezoning of the property to "Neighborhood Office".  Because of traffic congestion already present on Silverside Road, access to the area from it would be only through "right in and right out" turns.  Other traffic would access the area  via residential streets.

Frances West, immediate past-president of CCOBH, described Phil Cloutier's involvement in local and state politics.  She announced that a model of the statue of him slated to be placed in the library was now available for viewing. 

Regular committee reports included updates on the Cherry Island landfill, Tyler McConnell Bridge plans, bicycle/pedestrian facilities on Grubb and Marsh Roads and plans for Woodhaven-Kruse Park.  

Coralie Pryde