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The
proposed project, according to Dawn Lamb, president of the
Claymont Business Owners Association, is in line with the
current use of 'streetscaping' to enhance the attractiveness of
urban neighborhoods. Such work is nearing completion in the
Little Italy section of Wilmington and getting underway along
Fourth and 11th Streets.
Specific
plans for Claymont will be drawn after a Sept. 13 community
meeting. "We want to include all concerned people [in the
planning process] and get their input," Lamb said.
Partnering
with her organization in the project, which they are calling
Claymont Renaissance, is the Claymont Community Coalition, the
area's umbrella civic organization.
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and
the attraction of a variety of new businesses, particularly
small retail establishments. Ultimate motivation is to
improve the community image, he said.
"We
want to bring up the quality of life and make it more enjoyable
and safe to life, work and play here," Lamb added.
While
the organizations intend to build on a previous unsuccessful
attempt to bring the 'Main
| Street
Project' to Claymont, she said the present effort
is going forward with no preconceived notions.
"Nothing is set in concrete," she said.
There
also is no present timetable or estimated cost. Even the
scope of the venture is yet to be determined.
She
said that, while the initial effort is most likely to be
focused on Philadelphia Pike, there is clear
justification for also making the Claymont Community
Center, located on parallel Green Street, another focal
point. |
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| George
Lossé and Dawn Lamb |
"We're
also looking at what can be done to accentuate our historic
properties and promote the historic value of Claymont," she
said.
Councilman
Robert Weiner, who represents the area and was instrumental in
obtaining county backing. said that Claymont Renaissance
"looks to borrow the best ideas from other community
planning projects" not only in Wilmington but also
Baltimore and Philadelphia. He said grants and other public and
private financing will be leveraged to support the venture.
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