Revitalizing Riverside: How Wilmington Is Building a Better Future Without Leaving Its Residents Behind

This article originally appeared on and was written for the Wilmington, DE Office of Economic Development by Golden Shovel Agency.

In the northeast corner of Wilmington, DE, a neighborhood once teeming with life and potential has long been overlooked. Riverside, initially built in the 1950s to house returning white World War II veterans, became a casualty of racist housing policies and systemic neglect.

As white families moved out and built wealth elsewhere, Black families, barred from those same opportunities, moved in, only to be denied the same investments in infrastructure, education, and opportunity.

But that story is changing.

The REACH Riverside initiative is bringing long-overdue revitalization to this historic neighborhood. But unlike many urban redevelopment projects, this one is being built with, not on top of, the people who already live there. It's not about making room for someone new. It's about making room to grow—together.

Redevelopment Without Displacement

Too often, when the construction crews arrive, longtime residents are forced to leave. Promises of "revitalization" are broken when gentrification displaces the very communities that should benefit. But REACH Riverside is different.

Backed by a powerful partnership between the Wilmington Housing Authority, the nationally respected affordable housing developer Pennrose, and community leaders, the project is grounded in a core principle: redevelopment without displacement.

That means:

• 700 units of high-quality, mixed-income housing—designed to raise the standard of living for current residents.
• No forced relocations—tenants are part of the process, not collateral damage.
• Built-in affordability and equity—so families who've lived here for generations can remain, thrive, and build wealth.

A Community-Led Vision

REACH Riverside is a blueprint for holistic neighborhood transformation. Beginning in 2020, REACH Riverside spent two years working with residents to shape a shared vision for the community's future. That plan goes far beyond bricks and mortar.

Click here to view the full article.

Interested in having similar articles written for your organization? Click here to learn more about Golden Shovel Agency's Content Creation Services.