By Glenn Rolfe

This story has been updated.

SEAFORD — A Thursday groundbreaking was a time to reflect on decades back, when the Nylon Capital Shopping Center was a regional retail hub.

But there was also hope for the future, with a planned revitalization of the 22-acre site that has been mostly dormant for many years on the city’s western edge.

“I don’t know about you, but the first thing I thought of when I drove up here today — and I hate to even say this out loud — (was), ‘Boy, does this place look awful,’” said Seaford Mayor David Genshaw. “I’m glad we are here to see something happen.”

That was a thought shared by Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford.

“Seaford used to be known as the ‘Nylon Capital of the World.’ That era is gone,” he said. “But a new era is dawning with this development, adding to our vibrant industrial parks and a downtown that is being revitalized.”

Thursday’s event was the ceremonial next step for the former shopping center, an undertaking spearheaded by developer Rob Herrera,, co-founder of the Wilmington-based 9th Street Development Co.

“This project is a culmination of years of hard work, hard work that was done well before my team got here,” he said. “I think the theme of today (is) it’s about a group of leaders that came together and were 100% bought into their communities. Leaders have not given up on this project for the last several decades.”

The plans for the 218,000-plus-square-foot rebuild call for a town center with a mix of institutional and recreational spaces, embracing both adaptive reuse and new construction.

The proposal includes several anchor tenants: The Mill, a co-working initiative for entrepreneurs and small businesses; Delaware Technical Community College; TidalHealth; BrightBloom, a center for children with autism; and the recent additions of Community Bank Delaware and Vanderwende Farm Creamery.

Several existing businesses will remain, like Dollar Tree, Sal’s Italian Restaurant, Rite Aid and the bowling alley, which will undergo rehabilitation. Green space will be added, along with pickleball facilities and walking trails.

“What was once a thriving shopping center gradually deteriorated, as businesses moved out to U.S. 13. Despite numerous attempts to revive the shopping center, those efforts could not be realized until the center could be purchased,” Sen. Richardson said.

“Thankfully, two years ago, with help from the city, state and county — and the promise from an energetic young developer — the purchase was confidently made. Now, area residents are looking forward to the $60 million transformation of this location into a center of activities for business, health care, pickleball courts and walking trails.”

Gov. John Carney said revitalization of the area has been on his mind throughout his two-plus decades as lieutenant governor, congressman and governor.

“I’ve learned during those 23 years that this was the crown jewel of shopping for the Eastern Shore at one point. It was a place that was special for so many people,” he said.

When resources were made available by the American Rescue Plan, the governor asked his human resources secretary Claire DeMatteis about funding for the spot. Her response was “Let’s go big!” he said.

Also in attendance was TidalHealth Nanticoke president Penny Short, who noted that Mayor Genshaw encouraged the hospital’s involvement.

“I certainly have a passion for this community. I raised my family just across the street, so I watched the decline of this area. And it was bad,” she said. “For TidalHealth, we’ve been a part of the community for 70 years and continue to want this area to prosper. So, to be a part of the rebirth and economic growth for this area, there was no other decision but yes.”

TidalHealth’s plans are for expanded orthopedics and indoor and outdoor physical therapy. “But even more (important) will be the collaboration with the other businesses here, specifically with DelTech, as we are working on workforce development,” Ms. Short added.

The property was designated an Opportunity Zone and later a workforce development hub.

“I tried to identify projects that need to get done. And this project in this town was one of those projects,” Gov. Carney said. “One of the things that I have learned in 23 years of doing this — and seven years as your governor — is you make way more progress and get many more things done if you work together.”

Regarding work so far at the location, Mr. Herrera said abatement is nearly done, and phased site work has been bid out with anticipated selection in a couple weeks.

In closing, he shared his grandfather’s saying: Leave this world better than you found it.

“We’re here to solve these blighted issues in our community,” he said. “I am blessed to be part of this project.”