SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury city officials say they are confident they will soon have an agreement signed to redevelop one of downtown’s biggest parking lots.
City Council President Jake Day said the city and Devreco are working on a plan to convert Lot 1, which sits off of Circle Avenue by the Wicomico Public Library, into apartment, retail, office and some civic spaces.
"Since 1965 this was intended to be developed,” said Day. “When our forefathers purchased this piece of property for the city of Salisbury, their intention was, that within five years they would build this thing out and we haven't done it. So, 50 years later here we are finally entering into that agreement.”
Some people worry converting a parking lot, which serves hundreds of people working and visiting downtown, will make their lives more difficult in finding parking once the area is redeveloped. Day said the legal agreement stipulates Devreco must provide the same amount of spaces available as before, plus increase spaces for the additional population expected to use the apartments and retail spaces.
When the agreement will be signed has not been made public, but Day expects it to be signed within 30 days. He said this is a long-term project and it could take several years before any shovels touch dirt. However, he is confident it will happen.
Devreco is not a stranger to efforts to revitalize downtown Salisbury. The company was also a part of Headquarters Live and The Brickroom.
