7-story Newark apartment plan could change; Grotto Pizza to move in Dewey

Brandon Holveck, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read
A rendering of the proposed seven-story apartment building at 30 S. Chapel St.
A rendering of the proposed seven-story apartment building at 30 S. Chapel St.

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– Brandon Holveck, bholveck@delawareonline.com and Molly McVety, mmcvety@delawareonline.com

🏢 30. S. Chapel St. project goes back to the drawing board

Changes could be coming to Lang Development's project at the site of a former Burger King on South Chapel Street in Newark.

Newark City Council was scheduled to vote on Lang's proposal for a seven-story apartment building Monday night, but the developer pulled the project. Instead, the developer asked to discuss with council potential uses for space left open on the property next to the proposed apartment building.

Lang presented several options, including a parking garage and a public park.

Lang Development has proposed a multi-story apartment building at 30 S. Chapel St. where Burger King was long located.
Lang Development has proposed a multi-story apartment building at 30 S. Chapel St. where Burger King was long located.

Council gave a mixed response. Many members liked the park concept, but were worried about its impermanence should the need for parking or another project arise. They also shared concerns about the height of the building.

"The park seems like a distraction," Councilman Jay Bancroft said. "It would be great if it was permanent."

At 78 feet, the apartment building would be among the tallest buildings in Newark. It would have a small commercial space and parking for tenants on the first floor. The upper six floors would have 65 two-bedroom apartments.

Lang's first concept for the property placed the apartment building next to a new fire station for Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder. When Aetna pulled out of the project, Lang decided to keep the apartment building at the same size on the corner of Chapel Street and Delaware Avenue, leaving a large portion of the property open for future development.

If Lang makes major changes to its plan, the project will have to return to the Planning Commission before a final vote by City Council. The Planning Commission previously recommended approving the project.

🍕 Dewey Grotto Pizza to move across the street

Grotto Pizza is planning on building a new location just across the street from their current restaurant, at 1509 Coastal Highway in Dewey. The building is currently a law office and is also where the company used to have a Grotto arcade.

Jeff Gosnear, vice president at Grotto Pizza, said that the reason for the new location is because the current building is dated and has become an “eyesore” in town.

The former arcade building is planned to be demolished for the restaurant to replace. The company also stated in a Dewey Beach Town Commissioners meeting on August 19 that eventually they plan on applying to demolish the current Grotto Pizza restaurant and convert it to a “mixed-use property.”

The new location is slated to open by spring 2023, but the opening date is dependent on how quickly the application goes through the Planning and Zoning Commission, which meets next month.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 7-story Newark apartment plan could change; Grotto Pizza to move in Dewey