Delaware
Little Living housing project hopes to bring 172 affordable homes to Kent County
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Plans to bring more affordable housing to Delaware’s Kent County are now underway through the Cottage Community at Murphy Farms. The project comes with an estimated price tag of $17 million to $25 million.
While there are still many hurdles to overcome, land now owned by the Murphy family near Frederica would be transformed into a thoughtfully designed community where affordability and sustainability meet.
The plans are an expansion of the Little Living community created in Sussex County in recent years. The opportunity emerged when Little Living’s founder and president George Meringolo learned about the property while undergoing medical treatment. Rather than simply selling it for a large profit, the Murphy family expressed a desire to invest in a community with better intentions.
The project will be right off Rt. 1, near the Delaware Turf Spots Complex that covers about 22.5 acres.
A self-sustaining community
“On that 22 and a half acres, there’ll be approximately 172 houses. There will be a number of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom, which will be sold,” Meringolo said. “Those selling prices will start at about $110,000 for the one bedroom, $120,000 for the two bedroom, and about $130,000 for the three bedroom. Those prices would be firmed up as we get closer to it because you don’t know what’s happening with the cost of materials and those kinds of things.”
In addition to individual homes for sale, Little Living plans around 30 townhouses for rent at about $1,200 each month with utilities included.
“This project will also include a clubhouse. It’ll include self-store sheds that people can rent if they need more room for storage. It’ll include a laundromat for people to take care of their laundry,” he said. “On the outside edge is probably going to be a convenience store with a gas station, so people can pick up day-to-day needs that they need. And there’ll also probably be something like a McDonald’s.”
“It’s really a self-contained little community. It’s going to be powered by solar panels. I think it’s a very, very nice addition to the area,” he added.
To preserve the character and upkeep of the neighborhood, homeowners will lease the land rather than own it outright, ensuring funds are available for maintenance and common area care.
“We will have enough money every month to make sure that the grass is cut, that the houses are maintained on the outside, that the roads are maintained, that it does not fall into disrepair,” he said.
Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura announced Wednesday that she will lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.
She will step down from the bench of Delaware’s highest court in late July, after choosing not to seek reappointment at the end of her 12-year term. She revealed her plans for the next phase of her legal career in a special session of the court in Wilmington.
As well as joining the Wilmington University law school faculty, Valihura will be the founding director of the school’s new Corporate Law, Governance and Practice Institute. …
Wilmington Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Tuesday night in Wilmington’s Hilltop neighborhood.
According to police, the shooting occurred at approximately 8:33 p.m. in the 1600 block of West 5th Street.
On their arrival at the scene, police say they located the 16-year-old with at least one gunshot wound and transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
This incident remains under investigation.
Police did not share whether there have been any arrests in connection with the shooting or a possible motive.
Wilmington Police encourage anyone with information about this incident, contact Detective Justin Wilkers at (302) 576-3634. Information can also be sent to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or Delawarecrimestoppers.com.
The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) Victim Service Unit and Youth Response Unit are available to provide information and support to victims, children, and families affected by this incident.
The Victim Service Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3622, and the Youth Response Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3183.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, D.E, – Two 17-year-olds, Cara and Nathan, were struck and killed while walking on South Dupont Highway, according to Delaware State Police. Police say the driver did not stay at the scene, but investigators have now arrested a suspect.
Community mourns teens killed on South Dupont Highway
What we know:
Delaware State Police say the crash happened around 1:10 a.m. last Sunday while Cara and Nathan were walking an e-bike in or near the left lane of southbound Dupont Parkway near Denny Lynn Drive. Police say the driver initially stopped but then left the scene.
Troopers later arrested 23-year-old Nizaiah Ellis during a traffic stop and say the car had damage consistent with the crash.
Police say the two teens were headed to Cara’s house to leave for a trip with her family later that day.
Family and friends gathered Tuesday for a memorial to remember Cara and Nathan.
“It’s still new. It comes in waves but sometimes you just feel paralyzed and numb,” said Rachel Roderick and Heather Feeley, the teens’ mothers.
“I want others to hug their babies extra tight. Take so many photos you don’t know what to do to them. (Say yes to your kids more.)” said Roderick and Feeley.
“Forgiveness would have been easier had he not left our babies. Left. So senseless,” said Cara’s mother, Heather Feeley.
Roderick said, “It’s beautiful. The love is what’s keeping us going. The support of the community.”
The teens’ lives and dreams remembered
Cara graduated high school a year early and was a student at Del Tech, hoping to become a cosmetologist.
Nathan would have been a senior in high school this fall and wanted to own a mechanics business working on boats, motorcycles and cars.
Family and friends described the teens as kind and deeply loved.
“They were so kind. They loved everyone as is displayed here today. No one was not a friend and they loved each other immensely,” said Feeley. “They both touched so many lives and I don’t even think they realized how big of an impact they left on everyone,” said Roderick.
Kaelynn Miller, one of Cara’s best friends who helped organize the memorial, said, “Kara and Nathan never deserved this. If anyone is listening to this they weren’t just a person. The people you took were some of the most genuine souls out there.”
Today would have been Cara’s 18th birthday. Parents said the two were dating at the time of their deaths.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Cara’s family and Nathan’s family.
What we don’t know:
Police have not released further details about the investigation or any potential charges for the driver.
Additional information about the ongoing case has not been provided.
The Source: Information from Delaware State Police and interviews at the memorial.
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