Washington College and KRM Development have entered into a tentative partnership to explore options for jointly developing the 70-acre property known as Stepne Manor.
The property, located on the west side of South Cross Street/Quaker Neck Road on the outskirts of Chestertown’s historic district, now consists of an historic three-story manor house owned by KRM, and the undeveloped land around it that the College purchased in 2011 from developer Roy Kirby Jr. The manor house, which dates to the late 1600s, is rented out for meetings, conferences, weddings and other events.
The partnership agreement sets a six-month deadline for exploring options for developing the land. KRM and the College will be looking for options that will enhance Chestertown and help the town attract new residents in an effort to stimulate business growth and job opportunities.
“Any development would be designed with consideration of existing town features, amenities, and trails,” says Jay Griswold, interim president of the College. “It is obviously in the best interest of the College to develop Stepne Manor in an attractive way that will add to Chestertown’s economic viability without detracting from its historic, small-town charm.”
Griswold notes that the property is already zoned for residential use. “As the economy slowly improves, we think the time might be right to begin stimulating growth in a thoughtful way,” he adds. “But I want to stress, this is all just exploration and creative thinking at this point.”
Lex Fry says
Why don’t we try NOT developing a farm filled with colonial history in ORDER to benefit the community.
Juanita Wieczoreck says
I certainly hope that they will think about building one, two, and three bedroom one-story condos that are affordable for median income seniors and small families. These are groups that cannot afford to pay $500K and up for new housing. Not everyone who wants one-story living wants a house and yard. As an example, look at English Village in Dover.
Nancy Toy says
Three cheers for Juanita’s suggestion. There is a crying need here for moderately priced small homes. We are a community of many seniors (many who live alone) who no longer desire to care for a large home and yard yet an apartment is not the answer. None of the apartments in Chestertown have elevators! Delaware offers so much, but this is home and the location would be perfect.
Pete Weed says
Great team that can be expected to formulate a development program that provides for Chestertown’ s reasonable growth and in a way that is economically viable.
Jim Luff says
Great idea! There are very few parcels left in Chestertown that would allow a mixed residential development that could be based on a pedestrian connection to the town as opposed to vehicular.
Margaret Krist says
Please avoid building a Twilley high rise – ghost like structure for weekenders. Consider the DPZ designed Amelia Park in Fernandina Beach FL and Beaufort East Village plans, Beaufort, NC. This is a combination of different sizes of houses, some one story, some two, town homes and condos, densely built but beautifully separated by walking paths and small gardens for privacy. There’s a way to do that at Stepne Manor with a historically correct design and meet the need for semi retirees and seniors and young people who do NOT want a big 3 story house anymore, but want to be able to walk to the water and town. Owners give up lot space but have the preserved open space around Brittland Manor in view. We would buy there in a heartbeat. Chestertown is a unique place but it needs a few more folks living right in town. Thanks for listening.