Work on the Northstar development’s first phase, which includes 92 affordable housing units, is expected to begin within 60 days, according to an attorney for the developer.

When fully built out, the Northstar project west of Lewes will include 850 homes – mostly between Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road, with some east of Beaver Dam Road. There will also be nearly 100,000 square feet of commercial space along the east side of Route 9.

Sussex County Council approved the affordable housing portion in May 2025 and the 12.7-acre commercial portion of Northstar in October 2025. The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission granted final approval for 758 single-family home lots on more than 400 acres in October 2024.

The affordable housing portion will be on 8 acres along the east side of Route 9 at the intersection of a portion of a planned extension of Mulberry Knoll Road. It will be across Route 9 from The Vineyards commercial and residential development. 

“The affordable housing project known as Northstar Commons has received all agency approvals and is beginning the steps to commence construction with the goal of completing construction by the end of 2027,” said David Hutt, a Georgetown-based attorney representing Northstar Property LLC.

Site work will begin first, followed by construction of the buildings, Hutt said.

“The approval process for the single-family homes is underway, and it is anticipated that construction will commence next year,” he said. “Site plans for the commercial area will follow thereafter.”

The adequacy of infrastructure and the effect of the project on traffic on nearby roads were among the concerns raised at public hearings during Sussex County’s review of the Northstar project.

The state plans to extend Mulberry Knoll Road 2.2 miles from its western terminus at Cedar Grove Road to Route 9 at Old Vine Road.

Northstar Property LLC will build the 1,800-foot western end of the Mulberry Knoll Road extension that runs through its own site.

The state will pay for the cost of that road project in excess of the $5.4 million contribution the developer must pay the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District for road work, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation. 

Northstar Commons will be built at the northeast corner of the Mulberry Knoll Road intersection with Route 9 at the traffic light that accesses The Vineyards.

There will be three Route 9 accesses to Northstar: the traffic light at the Mulberry Knoll Road extension, and two others with right-in/right-out turn lanes at Route 9.

Roundabouts are planned for the three accesses to Northstar along Beaver Dam Road.

The state is planning several other projects to ease congestion on area roads.

Route 9, from Route 1 heading west, will be widened to four driving lanes in phases. Work near Route 1 has been completed. The road will next be widened to Old Vine Boulevard, which is the entrance to The Vineyards. The next phase would continue the widening west to Dairy Farm Road. 

Widening of Beaver Dam Road is also planned between the roundabout near Five Points and Dairy Farm Road to two 11-foot travel lanes, with turn lanes and bike lanes in each direction.

C.R. McLeod, director of community relations for DelDOT, said July 28 the agency is reviewing draft infrastructure plans for Northstar and the process should be completed in the near future.