Delaware River Waterfront Corp. applying for state grant to expand Washington Avenue Green

Washington Avenue Green might get greener – and stretch from the upland portion of Pier 53 out onto the Pier itself.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation board has given staff the go-ahead to apply for a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant to cover a portion of the projected $1 million cost of the pier-phase of the park. Central Delaware Master Plan Manager Sarah Thorp would not say how much the grant will seek, but said it would be only a portion of the cost. It would be up to the DRWC to raise the rest of the money.

Thorp cautioned that the money is far from guaranteed, especially since the DRWC has received $500,000 grants from DCNR for each of the past two years.  If the money comes through, however, the project could move forward in two or three years, she said. Without grant funding, it would take longer, and would potentially be placed on the back burner in favor of other waterfront projects for which grant money is available, Thorp said.

Contact the reporter at kgates@planphilly.com

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal