The Delle Donne organization has announced plans to unveil the redevelopment of the AstraZeneca property at 2110 Concord Pike in North Wilmington. A portion of the existing AstraZeneca facility will be demolished and reconstructed into brand new, state of the art, modern facilities. AstraZeneca will continue to occupy almost 400,000 square feet of space and will continue to be an anchor on the site. However, Delle Donne intends to add a number of additional local and regional employers as well.
Additionally, the redevelopment of the site will include “Avenue North”, which will be a much anticipated, pedestrian-oriented, amenity-rich upscale mixed-use community. The development of Avenue North will revitalize the property and the entire Concord Pike corridor. Avenue North will include approximately 300 luxury apartments, as well as shops, restaurants, retail stores, fitness center, and daycare center. The redevelopment will also feature a full service hotel and meeting facilities.
It is also important to note that this plan is a “MAJOR RECORD PLAN”(1) and not a rezoning. If the project is not a rezoning and unless variances are sought, the project is a “by right” project. There is a major difference between a major record plan and a rezoning with a major record plan. If a major plan is in general compliance with the standards of the Unified Development Code, those plans may advance to the Planning Board public hearing. A major record plan submission will afford public comment along the application process. However, if the plan is code compliant, then Council is required by code to provide approval of the plan. (UDC 40.31.100)
This project will encompass over 1.8 million approved square feet of space which 900,000 square feet of the development is already grandfathered, from when the State invested $140 million in roadway and park infrastructure. This project is expected to take over three years to complete.
The Delle Donne organization anticipates commencing construction of the new facilities within the next nine months.