State officials hear plans for new Troop 7

Delaware State Police unveiled plans for a new building to house Troop 7 during the state's March 25 Preliminary Land Use Service meeting.

Lt. Ben Parsons said growth of the troop and the area – as well as future growth – dictates the need for a new, updated facility. Currently, he said, the troop, located along Route 1 near Lewes, houses 40 to 50 troopers and mechanics and three civilian employees as well as more than 50 vehicles. “We've outgrown the facility,” he said. “In the next 20-30 years we are looking at 70 to 140 troopers. We need space in a building that grows as the troop grows.”

Parsons said the two-story, modular, Troop 7 building is 32 years old and was not designed as an efficient police facility.

The new building will require a conditional-use application approved by Sussex County Council; hearings are scheduled to take place sometime this spring. Plans call for a 25,000-square-foot barracks and 7,000-square-foot maintenance building on a 9-acre parcel along Mulberry Knoll Road just off Route 24 near Lewes.

A gated parking area for police personnel would be located behind the building, with public parking in front.

Also on the preliminary plan is gated access for emergency purposes to a proposed new 720-student Cape Henlopen School District elementary school south of the police barracks parcel. The area is also being considered for a new Sussex County paramedics station.

Mark Devore of the state's facilities management, said several sites were considered. “The idea was to put it in a growth zone off the Route 1 corridor, which causes operational issues,” he said, adding the proposed location offers access to several areas without getting into traffic on Route 1.

Parsons said the proposed location also provides easier east-west access for troopers.

“Troop 7 is undersized compared to the amount of calls and the coverage area,” Devore said.

Delaware State Police operates eight barracks in the state with three in Sussex County: Troop 7, Lewes; Troop 5, Bridgeville; and Troop 4, Georgetown.

Under the state's Office of Planning Coordination PLUS process, state agency comments on the proposed project are forwarded to county officials for their consideration.

To see the PLUS application, go to www.stateplanning.delaware.gov/plus/projects/2015/index.shtml