What should the future be for Claymont?

WILMAPCO wants input on the master plan for the future of development in Claymont, Delaware.

Much of Claymont’s industrial and retail properties have seen better days. The Claymont Steel mill ceased operations at the end of 2013, the end of nearly 100 years of steel manufacturing at the site.

The 425 acre site now sits silent.

Less than a mile away sits the Tri-State Mall. Covering 41 acres and 513,896 sq. ft. of retail space, the shopping center is one of Delaware’s biggest malls. But it too has seen better times. Business activity and retail occupancy at the mall has seen deep declines. The mall is currently about 60 percent vacant.

Now, the Wilmington Area Planning Council is looking for input on how the Claymont area should be designed for the future. The council, frequently referred to as WILMAPCO, is conducting a master plan analysis to look at the potential of redevelopment to remake the Claymont area to better support economic development, provide access to jobs, retail and services, and improve transportation by road, rail, water, transit walking and biking.

WILMAPCO will host a public workshop on the master plan Monday afternoon and evening. A presentation and question/answer sessions will be held at 4:30 and 7 p.m. at the Claymont Community Center. Residents can also drop-in at the center to get more information or submit comments from 4 to 4:30 p.m., 5:15 to 7 p.m., and 7:45 to 8:30 p.m.

The area under review includes the northern portion of New Castle County from The Delaware River east to I-495 and from the SEPTA station north to the Pennsylvania border.