MILFORD, Del. - A new housing development in Milford is one small step away from final approval, with construction set to begin in May on the first seven of 27 planned townhomes.
The Riverwalk Villas will be built on just under four acres of open land adjacent to the Mispillion Riverwalk at the intersection of Mispillion and Marshall Streets.
Bruce Hamman, who enjoys the Riverwalk every other day, says he understands the need for more housing but wishes it didn't come at the expense of nature.
“We appreciate that part of the walk quite a bit because it’s where the most wildlife is,” said Hamman. “So it is concerning.”
David Moore, president and CEO of the Milford Housing Development Corporation emphasized the importance of the project, noting its affordability and energy efficiency.
“We want people to pour our coffee, wait our tables, work in our hospitals and clean our floors,” said Moore. “But we don’t have a lot of places for them to live that they can afford.”
The Milford City Council granted major subdivision approval for the project during a meeting on March 24. The development now awaits one approval from the Sussex Conservation District, which is expected within the next two weeks, says the Milford Housing Development Corporation.
According to the Milford Housing Development Corporation, nearly an acre of land near the river will remain open space, donated back to the city as part of the project.