Public invited to comment on Lewes brownfield
The public is invited to comment on a proposed brownfield development agreement for a 1.04-acre parcel near Kings Highway and Beach Plum Drive in Lewes. Comments will be accepted through Monday, Oct. 17.
A coal gasification plant operated on the adjacent property from 1924 to 1932, and coal may have been stored on the site. The property was also home to the Queen Anne Railroad at one time.
According to Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control documents, the property owner intends to sell to prospective developer Hotel California LLC, which intends to build a bakery/restaurant with second-floor apartments.
Under the agreement, the developer is eligible for reimbursement from DNREC for remedial costs up to a maximum of $200,000. The first $125,000 is reimbursed on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while the remaining $75,000 is reimbursed on a 50 cents to the dollar basis.
In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency excavated a large quantity of coal tar-contaminated soil and disposed of it off site. In the late 1980s, an 8,000-gallon underground fuel oil storage tank, located on a neighboring parcel, reportedly overflowed and released product to the surface and subsurface of the area. The tank was removed in 1989. A small fuel oil tank was found on this property and was also removed.
DNREC's report says there is a limited area of contaminated soil and groundwater under a paved cap in the northwest corner of the parcel. Contaminates include benzo (a) pryene, naphthalene and benzene, all of which are related to petroleum and coal tar.
The public may comment on the proposed brownfield agreement through 4:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17. Written comments may be sent to Stephen Johnson, project manager, at the DNREC office at 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720.
For more information about the brownfield, go to www.nav.dnrec.delaware.gov/DEN3. On the left column, select Search Facilities. Search for DE0190 under Facility Name and Site Investigation and Restoration Site under DNREC program.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
