Newark, Del., Approves $27.6 Million Storm Water Project

Residents of Newark, Del., approved the city’s plan to borrow up to $27.6 million to fund the Rodney Stormwater Project. The project includes up to $6.5 million to build a new storm water facility, $2.5 million to expand the facility into a park, $15.6 million for water and sewer projects, and $3 million for other infrastructure projects.

The new storm water facility will be at the site of the University of Delaware’s closed Rodney dormitories and will include a natural play area, a rain garden, observation areas and a fishing pier. City officials hope the area will develop into a recreation hub, similar to the Newark reservoir, according to the Delaware Online. Before construction on the site can begin, the city must remove asbestos from the old dormitories; however, the storm water facility is scheduled to open in 2020.

While each project of the plan must be approved individually moving forward, City Manager Tom Coleman is hopefully the projects will be received favorably. 

“The Rodney project is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Coleman said. “The other infrastructure projects, they weren’t projects that we could not opt not to do.”