old new castle workshops announced
One of the treasures of Delaware is the town of New Castle. With its roots stretching back to 1651, the municipality is unique in a number of ways. At one point in time, the city rivaled Philadelphia as a center of commerce. It was the colonial capital of the State of Delaware.

While it holds a more modest posture these days, it is still an extraordinary place. Especially when it comes to the Trustees of New Castle:

The Trustees of New Castle Common are a most unusual organization. They are unique within the State of Delaware, and perhaps among these United States. The Trustees have a history as old as New Castle because the common land has existed as such since the days of early Dutch colonization when New Castle was Fort Casimir in 1651.

Now more than 200 years later, this body of 13 Trustees oversee a nonprofit charitable organization founded by William Penn, which was incorporated in 1764 and reincorporated by assembly in 1792. The Trustees purpose is to benefit the citizens, to preserve the historical City of New Castle and the remaining lands and open space now held in trust. Its income is derived primarily from property rentals and investments.

The City's code needs updating, and a series of workshops are being planned to get public involvement in the process.

The city of New Castle will hold four workshops beginning today to invite public input for its update of the city's comprehensive plan and zoning codes. Each workshop will focus on a specific issue: Today, land use and redevelopment; April 23, annexation and city edge; May 7, economic development and tourism; and May 21, parking and transportation. All workshops will be at 7 p.m. at New Castle Middle School, 903 Delaware St.

It's one of my favorite places to visit for a few hours when I get a chance.