LONG NECK, De. -- Plans for a new bank and retail buildings in Long Neck are moving forward. Despite unanimous approval from Sussex County officials for the final site-plans, developers now face the intricate task of overcoming a historical hurdle – a cemetery dating back to the 1800s that stands in the way of any potential construction.
Situated prominently at the corner of Route 5 and Route 24, a large sign that reads "Coming Soon, Community Bank Delaware" dominates the landscape, signaling the impending development. However, within the same property lies an unassuming, fenced-in plot of land that reveals the two-century-old Lingo Cemetery.
Robin Cheety who grocery shops across the street expressed surprise.
"I didn't even know there was a cemetery there, and I shop at Weis once a week," said Cheety.
The proposed project includes a 3,200 square foot bank and two retail buildings totaling 8,900 square feet, directly overlapping with the cemetery. The bodies buried beneath the centuries-old headstones will be moved to Millsboro for reburial.
Community Bank told WBOC they have reached out to the Lingo family, and sent the following: "We have come to the conclusion that the decisions regarding the future of the cemetery should be made by the Lingo family and not Community Bank Delaware. I say this even though the cemetery plot is only 1600 sq feet, less than 1% of the bank’s 3 acre site at Route 24 & Indian Mission Road. It’s not the size of the plot but its condition and history that troubles us."
Community Bank has given the family the option to leave the cemetery where it is now, clean it up and be able to maintain it forever. The other option is to move the cemetery to a professionally run location.
The bank has also offered the land to the Lingo family, and said nothing will happen to the headstones within the cemetery until the family makes a decision.
Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium will assist in the relocation to the new burial site: Woodlawn Cemetery.
The state of Delaware has granted approval for the relocation, prompting mixed reactions from the community.
Rebecca Rickrode, a local business owner, supports the move, emphasizing that if done respectfully, the relocation of gravesites should not be a significant issue.
"No, no, I'm just like in awe," said Rickrode.
Rickrode said these plans have resurfaced interest about the people buried there, and the location itself.
"You don't know, were they farmhouses, you know were they, what were they, are they sea captains maybe?" she remarked.
However, not everyone shares Rickrode's sentiment. Adrian Dantoni expressed discomfort with the idea.
"When it comes to moving something that's been there for so long, it shouldn't happen." said Dantoni. "Shouldn't have to go through the process of being asked because we should just leave it alone."
Dantoni, who is not a huge fan of more development in Sussex County to begin with, said if the bank and retail buildings end up being built, it should have been around the cemetery.
"Make it a memorial site and instead of taking it away for good, maybe like incorporate it into the new things that we're building," said Dantoni.
The proposal has sparked varying opinions within the community, with some viewing it as an opportunity for development and economic growth, while others are uneasy about the prospect of disturbing a centuries-old cemetery.
