FOCUS
50 Reasons
for Optimism In the midst of these winter doldrums, here’s a list of people, organizations and projects that offer a window to a brighter future—in 2019 and beyond. Enjoy!
1
The 140,000-square-foot, five-story 76ers Fieldhouse debuted last month. The $26-million project will be the home court of the NBA G League’s Delaware Blue Coats’ (formerly 87ers) in an arena with 2,500 seats. It also will be home to three basketball courts, two indoor turf soccer fields and an athletic training area, as well as retail and office space. Most important, according to organizers, the fieldhouse will provide recreational opportunities to youth in Wilmington and the region. The project is a giant step forward in the development of South Wilmington along the Route 13 corridor.
2
The concrete Christina River bridge is scheduled to open in 2019. This long-awaited project will connect the Riverfront south of Frawley Stadium to Route 13 where the new Fieldhouse is located. Not only will the bridge ease traffic congestion, but the addition of lanes for bikes and pedestrians may encourage people to leave their cars at home. When complete, the bridge will be jointly maintained by the City of Wilmington and the Delaware Department of Transportation.
16 FEBRUARY 2019 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
3
Light Action Productions & The Pine Box could make Wilmington a prime destination for Hollywood and Broadway productions looking for an affordable state-of-the art facility in which to film and rehearse. Light Action’s new 150,000-square-foot facility, situated on Wilmington’s 7th Street Peninsula and visible from I-495, includes a 25,000-square-foot, 95-foot-tall sound stage (The Pine Box). It’s scheduled to open in late 2019.
4
It could take as long as 10 years for significant changes to take hold, but the start of a major $100 million (estimated) revitalization effort is bringing new hope to the Riverside community in northeast Wilmington. Purpose Built Communities, a non-profit consulting firm, announced it has designated Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood as the 19th of its communities in the United States. Under the Purpose Built model, REACH Riverside will work in partnership with community members and other partners to develop and implement strategies for a career education pipeline, mixed-income housing, and a community health and wellness initiative.