Council Reviews ‘The Plaza At Boyds’ Development In Southern New Castle County

Site plan for The Plaza at Boyds, a proposed mixed-use development at the northwest corner of DuPont Parkway and Greylag Road in St. Georges Hundred. (Photo provided by David Carter)

NEW CASTLE COUNTY — A proposed development that would bring hundreds of new apartment units and more than 370,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and office space to a site near DuPont Parkway and Boyd’s Corner Road was reviewed by County Council this week.

The major land development plan, located in St. Georges Hundred, calls for a 372,506-square-foot mixed-use complex with 288 apartments—primarily two-bedroom units—alongside retail, dining, and office amenities. If approved, it would become the first apartment complex built south of the C&D Canal in unincorporated New Castle County.

“This is significant,” said Councilman Dave Carter, who represents the sixth district.

“We’ve been struggling to keep our talented youth in southern New Castle County-they don’t come back because they can’t find a place they can afford to stay and live when they’re getting started,” he said.

Carter emphasized the project’s proximity to Route 13, Route 1, and a DART park-and-ride facility, noting it is “about as close as we can get to a true walkable community” in the area. He added that an earlier concern about parking had been addressed through a comprehensive parking study conducted with the developer.

Council members expressed interest in coordinating with state transportation officials to ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle access, particularly along Route 13.

“We are looking for affordable housing options,” said Councilman Kevin Caneco, whose district borders the development. “It’s a matter of where we put them right now, I would feel like crossing 13, you’re putting your life in your hands.”

The plan includes a 10-foot-wide multimodal path along Route 13. Council members discussed the need for further improvements, such as traffic calming, enhanced bike lanes, and possible shared-use paths connecting nearby communities to the county park.

In response to affordability concerns, Councilman Penrose Hollins reminded colleagues that under the county’s inclusionary zoning code, any rezoning project is automatically required to designate 20% of units as affordable housing for households earning up to 85% of the area median income. Market-rate units also contribute to the county’s housing trust fund.

While some voiced concerns about long-term transportation infrastructure, council members generally supported the proposal.

“This fits quite well,” Carter said. “We don’t have many places where this stuff is really amenable south of the canal. This is definitely one of them.”

The plan previously received rezoning approval in August of last year. A final vote on the development will be scheduled in the coming months.