Nick Langford outlines Gateway Commerce Park, PPG and other projects he says could add jobs and investment
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Summary
Nick Langford, introduced as the city’s economic development director, described industrial and commercial projects including Gateway Commerce Park (135–200 acres), a $280 million PPG expansion and a proposed Kroger Marketplace; he estimated Gateway could support 500–1,000 jobs.
Nick Langford, introduced at the meeting as the city’s economic development director, gave a rundown of industrial and commercial projects in or near Delaware City and offered job and investment estimates.
Langford said a roughly 200,000-square-foot industrial‑flex project at Sawmill and Innovation Court should break ground within a quarter or two, and a 50,000-square-foot Pioneer Flex building at 2044 Pittsburgh Drive is expected to complete next quarter. He listed an additional 45,000 square feet at Howald Industrial Park and 10,000–15,000 square feet of retail/industrial space at Bell Avenue as pipeline projects.
On a larger scale, Langford described Gateway Commerce Park, a 135–200 acre site the city hopes will attract biotech and advanced‑manufacturing users. He said staff plan to submit an application and that the site could accommodate roughly 1.5–2 million square feet of development, which he estimated could generate about 500–1,000 jobs.
Langford also told the council that PPG is investing about $280 million at its existing facility off Pittsburgh Drive, a project the city said will create about 100 jobs; he mentioned a second, confidential expansion he described as roughly $200 million that could add about 400 jobs. Other projects noted include a Kroger Marketplace (about 120,000 square feet) slated to open in 2026; a senior‑living facility (about 90–100 rooms) on Glen Road that has broken ground; downtown mixed‑use occupancy in the Miller Building (about 16,000 square feet); a rooftop wine bar near the former Jay Gumbos building; and renewed retail activity along Sunbury Road that Langford said should bring national quick‑service and sit‑down chains and several large-box stores in the next one to two years.
Langford said the city is also working on a comprehensive incentives policy to evaluate how developments affect schools, roads and taxing jurisdictions and to provide a clear framework for offers and negotiations. He said staff has sought school-district input and will continue outreach before finalizing the policy.
Langford closed by saying he was available for follow-up questions and contact.