Construction & Real Estate
Poised for Growth in Central Delaware
Asbury Square, the only shovel-ready development project in the area, facilitates a new era of business opportunities, economic growth, and community attractions BY MICHAEL MEOLI COVID CHANGED THINGS considerably in terms of how people wanted to work, live, travel, and play, as well as what it takes for businesses in the hospitality industry to become established and thrive. Consequently, my partners and I found ourselves re-strategizing land development along State Route 1 and Frederica Road for a post-pandemic society. As we did this, one shared priority emerged: developing opportunities for desired amenities to get up and running as quickly and with as much flexibility as possible. What we uncovered within these pandemic-driven changes was an opportunity to deliver shovel-ready pad sites offering maximum design flexibility for a market with rapidly growing demand for hotels, restaurants, 34
complementary retail, and related amenities. The development of these sites would be structured to allow businesses to bring their own unique concepts to life quickly. It was also critical to us that these site developments maintain the distinctive culture of Kent County—a community that has always celebrated its individuality by embracing the county’s rich history, local resources, and diverse demographics. What is now known as Asbury Square offers a chance to bring all these elements together—to facilitate a thriving business community that introduces exciting new attractions for locals and visitors alike, while remaining true to everything wonderful about Kent County. Following years of strategic planning that gave rise to DE Turf, Asbury November/December 2024
| DELAWARE BUSINESS