After a damaging fire 10 years ago, the old ice plant on West North Street in Dover, DE is finally being torn down.

Passersby on last week could see heavy equipment knocking down portions of the thick brick and cement block walls of the building.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the site was used in the early 1900s for commercial and industrial purposes.

It was also considered a “Brownfields” site at one time, according to DNREC.

“Past uses of the site, including a whiskey distillery, an apple butter and fruit juice manufacturing plant, a municipal electric generator plant and a cold storage warehouse/ice plant, resulted in the release of hazardous substances,” DNREC says on its Web site.

But now, after a decade of inactivity, the site is beginning to change shape.

Plans call for an office building named “Dover Station,” said Janelle Cornwell, a planner for the city.

“The LLC Dover Station is planning to build a basic office building,” she said.

“And they would like to bring in a day care center eventually (but) unfortunately the zoning will not permit it at this time.”

According to Mrs. Cornwell, the plans are far from being finalized. Eventually the old ice plant will be completely demolished by the owners to make room for the new buildings.

A real estate Web site listing, “Dover Station LLC” at 645 North St., Dover, describes an office building that will be constructed of up to “20,000 square feet.”

The owners of the building could not be reached for comment.

Mrs. Cornwell said a conditional approval has been granted. However, a final building permit has not been issued.

“It’s my job to make sure they are in compliance with the codes, and receive approval from the Delaware Department of Transportation,” Mrs. Cornwell said.

“I have to ensure all is finalized before they can get a building permit.”

The 2.6-acre tract has been vacant for a long time, but according to city planner Ann Marie Townshend, this is common with former industrial sites.

“From the time they go to the planning commission to get conditional approval, they have one year to begin construction,” she said. “If they cannot make it in the year, they get a one-time extension of one year.”
Mrs. Townshend said approvals can be a long and extensive process.
She said a conditional approval is given to everyone. However, it does not guarantee a building permit.

The next step is the check print review process which can take a few months, she said.

Mrs. Townshend said all approvals have to be in place and up to code before a final permit for construction can be issued.