After moving from Scranton, Pa., as a young child, Biden's family settled in Claymont at the Brookview Townhomes. After years of decline, the 66-acre Brookview was demolished in November 2007 to make way for a new urbanist community to be known as Renaissance Village. Claymont is undergoing a dramatic revitalization, and Renaissance Village -- the first community of its kind in Delaware -- is considered to be the centerpiece of this small town's transformation.
Biden attended Holy Rosary parochial school and was active in many church youth groups, as he discussed in his 2007 book Promises to Keep.
After Holy Rosary, Biden went to high school at the renowned Archmere Academy, also located in Claymont. Founded by the Norbertine Order, Archmere's sprawling campus was once the estate of millionaire financier John Jacob Raskob (1879-1950). Raskob was the builder of the Empire State building and chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1928 -
1932.
Biden first held elected office as a New Castle County Councilman representing Claymont and Brandywine Hundred. Elected to the United States Senate in 1972, Biden has continued to work closely with community leaders on the Claymont Renaissance revitalization efforts.
Many locals remember Biden's Claymont youth. Carolyn Mercadante, president of the Claymont Historical Society, recalled the day her brother Pete Gentili watched an adventurous Joe Biden climb to the top of Claymont's iconic water tower. She distinctly remembers how Biden and his
father cared for her brother after he received a bad cut to the head.
"He was always a leader and has had always had my vote," Mercadante said.
"Claymont has a wealth of history, and the possibility of having a Vice President of the United States from our community inspires us all," said Brett Saddler, executive director of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation (CRDC). The CRDC's mission is to coordinate the ongoing revitalization efforts.
While the Brookview property has been the focal point of the CRDC's work for the past several years, other recent Claymont redevelopment work has included renovations of the historically significant Claymont Stone School, Darley House and Robinson House; a DelDOT streetscaping plan for Philadelphia Pike (Claymont's main thoroughfare); a new post office and updated commuter rail station; and revitalization of existing landmark structures designed to draw additional businesses to the area while increasing pedestrian traffic.
SOURCE Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation
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Published by Mike Hitchen, Mike Hitchen Consulting
