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Ground breaks in ‘transformative’ Seaford project
O ptimism is spreading in Seaford

when people look at the Nylon
Capital Shopping Center. After
years of shopping center struggles, big
plans are in store for what used to be a
major regional hub. A mix of private and
public investment will fund the Seaford
shopping center’s redevelopment, with
the deeds finalized in late 2022 and
ceremonial groundbreaking in spring
2024.
“It’s impossible to quantify the
importance of the Nylon Capital the rebirth and economic growth for could not have done this alone, in any
Shopping Center to the local community, this area, there was no other decision meaningful way. It needed this [public]
and our team at 9th Street Development but yes,” said Penny Short, president of help and support,” Herrera said. “It takes
Company does not take that lightly,” said TidalHealth Nanticoke. Plans are for a lot to bring a property like this back
partner Robert Herrera. “We are eager expanded orthopedics and indoor and after hard times, especially with inflation
to breathe new life into this shopping outdoor physical therapy. “But even more and construction rates through the roof.”
center with a diverse group of tenants, [important] will be the collaboration with
Just to help 9SDC purchase the property
spanning co-working, healthcare, higher the other businesses here, specifically
and pay associated fees, the City of
education and workforce training.” with DelTech, as we are working on
Seaford gave $3.1 million; State of
The plans for the 218,000-plus-square- workforce development.” Delaware gave $2 million; and 9th Street
foot rebuild call for a town center with a Other tenants include BrightBloom, Development Company gave $500,000.
mix of institutional and recreational space, a center for children with autism; the Throughout the $60 million project, the
both renovation and new construction. local Community Bank Delaware; and 9SDC team will invest much more in
Based in Wilmington, 9th Street Vanderwende Farm Creamery. development and also leverage public
Development Company (9SDC) aims Several existing businesses will remain subsidies and support. The property was
to unify communities by building mixed- (retail, pharmacy, restaurant the bowling designated an Opportunity Zone and
use, historic renovations and ground-up alley, which will undergo rehabilitation). later a workforce development hub.
construction. They expertly track down Green space will be added, along with “I think western Sussex is really well
tax credits and development grants to pickleball facilities and walking trails.
poised for this, for what I call the next
help projects come to life.
The overall campus at 1030 W. Stein industrial revolution,” Herrera advises
Distressed properties like this have Highway would also include more trees, other potential entrepreneurs. “We’re
a special place in Herrera’s heart. In sidewalks and public wi-fi. seeing a lot of small-batch manufacturing
Wilmington, that’s how he led a group come back to the country, and with
“I have a background in architecture
effort to open The Mill, renovated from western Sussex’s history in nylon, they’re
and also city infrastructure, and these
a similarly “lost” building to become a really well positioned to be part of that.”
programs where you can make a big
coworking and incubator space for small
businesses and entrepreneurs. impact on the community are exciting Buildings will either be demolished or
to me,” Herrera said. “You can blend renovated in this creative re-use project.
Seaford will have its own Mill space, too. economic development projects with Phased site work was bid out, with
“I’m really excited to replicate The Mill [community revitalization]. I think this awards expected in mid-2024.
coworking space,” especially as remote project checks all those boxes.” Coinciding with this effort is the
workers utilize space away from home,
This has been a long, intentional process. Department of Transportation’s Stein
and entrepreneurs meet and create more Decades of city and state officials Highway rehabilitation project, with
economic opportunities, Herrera said. have long prepared for when the right traffic light upgrades, road patching,
An early anchor tenant was Delaware developer came along. “This has been paving and rebuilding curbs to comply
Technical Community College, planning a generational project, and it took with the Americans with Disabilities
a workforce training center. persistence and years of work. We’re just Act.
lucky that we showed up at the finish
In 2024, TidalHealth also announced For more information on leasing space,
line,” Herrera said.
it would come to a 22,000-square-foot contact Dann Gladnick and DSM
facility overlooking the campus green “I’ve studied this site in detail over the Commercial dgladnick@dsmre.com or
and pickleball courts. “To be a part of years, and I assure you, the private sector (302) 283-1800.

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