What Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation does

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation (FDRPC) is a state-chartered redevelopment corporation created by Delaware House Bill 310, signed into law on July 23, 2014 by Governor Jack Markell, to revitalize the former Fort DuPont military base along the Delaware River in Delaware City, Delaware. The corporation operates under a four-pillar framework: Preserve History, Heal the Environment, Support Housing and Reuse, and Expand Economic Opportunity. FDRPC functions as a quasi-governmental entity governed by a 15-member Board of Directors comprising state agency representatives (DNREC, OMB, Office of State Planning Coordination, Department of State), Delaware City officials, and community appointees, with an 8-person executive staff managing day-to-day operations under Executive Director Tim Slavin, who has held the role since July 2022.

FDRPC's core operations center on historic preservation and adaptive reuse of a mixed-use campus that integrates residential housing, commercial tenancies, recreation amenities, and public programming. The corporation's real estate portfolio includes 16 residential rental units (including restored historic duplexes on Old Battery Lane), 54 newly constructed homes, 10 restored historic residences, and 13 historic structures stabilized to U.S. Department of the Interior standards within the Fort DuPont National Historic District. Additional product offerings include the Fort DuPont Pavilion event venue, the 1933 War Department Theater (under restoration), the 1901 Administration Building, the 1941 Chapel, the Delaware City Marina, brownfield remediation services, and infrastructure projects such as the FEMA-funded Canal Bank Revetment and the 75%-designed Shoreline Trail. The 140-acre campus integrates with the adjacent 300+ acre Fort DuPont State Park.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring rental income from residential and commercial properties, one-time proceeds from lot sales (four single-family lots along Old Elm Avenue scheduled for sale in 2026), federal and state grants (from FEMA, EPA, DNREC, and the Delaware Division of the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts), and event and programming partnerships. The corporation does not publish pricing for properties or services, operating through quote-based arrangements and a property management partnership with NAI Emory Hill (handled by Massiel Derefaka). The customer base spans individual residents, small commercial tenants (Dolly Spankers, Bellefonte Brewing, Bailey's Dawgs, Cake Sisters Pastry Arts), event visitors, and institutional/government partners. Total assets were reported at $59,014,819.92 as of June 30, 2025, including fixed assets of $38 million and construction in process of $7 million.

Name

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation

Legal name

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation

Website

https://fortdupont.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation is a state-chartered Delaware corporation that revitalizes the former Fort DuPont military base in Delaware City through historic preservation, residential development, commercial leasing, and public programming, serving residents, small businesses, and event visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Real Estate Development

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Marinas (71393)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Rehabilitation, Maintenance & Asset Renewal (Repairs, Strengthening) (IMAFAJAL), Facilities Maintenance & Environmental Services (Waste, Water, Trail Maintenance, Restrooms) (THAAAGAI), Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Historic property redevelopment
• Adaptive reuse real estate
• Historic preservation services
• Mixed-use community development
• Environmental remediation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Delaware City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Rental Income: Rental revenue from 16+ residential units and commercial tenants occupying historic buildings on campus
2. Property Sales: Sale of subdivided residential lots and properties for new single-family construction
3. Federal and State Funding: Grants and funding from federal agencies (FEMA, EPA), state agencies (DNREC), and government programs for redevelopment, environmental remediation, and historic preservation
4. Event and Programming Revenue: Revenue from public events and programming partnerships that activate the campus

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation redevelops and manages the former Fort DuPont military post in Delaware City, Delaware, operating it as a mixed-use waterfront community. It provides historic property rentals (16 homes), new residential subdivisions, commercial space leasing, event venue rentals, recreation amenities (marina and trails), and ongoing historic preservation, environmental remediation, and public programming across the campus.

Product overview

Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation is a real estate development and historic preservation organization that operates a mixed-use campus along the Delaware River. The organization offers a portfolio of historic property rentals (16 homes including restored duplexes), new residential development through the Town Center Subdivision (lots and rental units), event venues (Fort DuPont Pavilion), recreation amenities (marina and boat ramp), and infrastructure projects (canal bank stabilization, shoreline trail). Historic preservation services include restoration of buildings such as the War Department Theater, Administration Building, and Chapel. The portfolio integrates environmental remediation through brownfield cleanup and stormwater management. The product suite is not a technology platform but rather a collection of real estate, hospitality, recreation, and preservation services aimed at transforming the former military base into a vibrant residential and commercial community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Historic Property Rental Program Rental housing inventory of 16 homes including restored historic duplexes on Old Battery Lane, offering residential units ranging from single-family homes to multi-unit buildings within the Fort DuPont campus. Targeted at individuals and families seeking residential living in a historic waterfront community.
• Town Center Subdivision Residential development project featuring 31 newly subdivided lots and up to 38 new residential rental units in the Town Center section, with mixed-use opportunities at the Tilton Building and four single-family lots along Old Elm Avenue available for purchase in 2026. Targeted at individual homebuyers and residential tenants.
• Fort DuPont Pavilion Event Venue Outdoor event venue hosting concerts, festivals, and community gatherings including Fort Folk Fest and ShakesBeer events. Available for rental by event organizers, performers, and community groups seeking a historic waterfront setting.
• Delaware City Marina Waterfront marina and boat ramp providing access to the Delaware River and Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, popular with boaters and fishermen. Available for use by recreational boaters, fishermen, and visitors to the Fort DuPont campus.
• Commercial Space Leasing Direct leasing of commercial spaces to Delaware-based businesses and tenants for retail, dining, or office use within the Fort DuPont campus historic buildings. Targeted at small and mid-sized businesses seeking unique historic commercial spaces.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025State agency partner for environmental management, sustainability planning, and coordination on brownfield remediation and stormwater improvements across the Fort DuPont campus
• Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency supporting historic preservation efforts and coordination on preservation standards for rehabilitation projects
• Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner involved in infrastructure planning and environmental engineering projects at Fort DuPont
• Friends of Fort DuPontcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting redevelopment through community building, preservation efforts, and public programming. Hosts events including Fort Folk Fest, ShakesBeer, and volunteer activities
• Delaware Shakespeare (DelShakes)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPerforming arts partner for ShakesBeer outdoor Shakespeare performances at Fort DuPont Pavilion
• Delaware Friends of FolkflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic presenter partner for Fort Folk Fest summer concert series featuring folk, Americana, and world music performers
• Tri-State Bird Rescue & ResearchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBird rescue organization hosting educational events (Feathers by the Barracks) at Fort DuPont
• Urban Sketchers DelawareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist community hosting sketching events and workshops at historic Fort DuPont buildings and landscapes
• Healing Through the ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit providing creative workshops for Delaware veterans in partnership with Mariposa Arts
• Mariposa ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArts organization partnering on veteran creative workshops and cultural programming
• Bellefonte Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal craft brewery providing beer for ShakesBeer and other Fort DuPont events
• League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing professional development, networking, and best practices for historic theater operations. Planner Valerie Miller attended LHAT conference for War Department Theater restoration planning
• Everett TheatreflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric theatre in Middletown, Delaware engaged in peer exchange program with Fort DuPont for knowledge sharing on theater operations, programming, and preservation
• Emory Hill (NAI Emory Hill)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial real estate firm providing property management services including Massiel Derefaka as property manager for Fort DuPont campus rentals
• New Castle CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner for Route 9 roundabout project and regional development coordination
• Delaware CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for economic development, community events, and regional coordination
• Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState transportation agency for infrastructure improvements including Route 9 roundabout enhancing campus access
• Food Bank of DelawareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood bank organization for Backpack Program and food access initiatives supported by Fort DuPont staff volunteers
• Delaware City LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic library partner for community programs and events with staff volunteer support
• Delaware City Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService organization partner for community initiatives including Delaware City Food Closet support
• Delaware Prosperity PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development organization represented on FDRPC board for economic opportunity expansion
• Fort DuPont State ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent state park (300+ acres) for recreation coordination and trail connections
• Delaware City Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService club partner for holiday food basket programs supporting local families

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Presidio Trust: Federal-area redevelopment authority that converted the former Presidio of San Francisco military post into a mixed-use national park and community. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and revenue mix (rents, leases, grants, programming) to FDRPC's Fort DuPont redevelopment.
• Fort Ord Reuse Authority: California-base reuse authority responsible for the redevelopment of the former Fort Ord military base into mixed housing, education, and open space. Shares the military-base-to-mixed-use redevelopment model with environmental remediation and master planning.
• Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation: Public authority that redeveloped the former Brooklyn Navy Yard into a mixed-use industrial, commercial, and cultural campus. Comparable in mission to convert a decommissioned military installation into an active mixed-use community with cultural programming.
• Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment: Redevelopment of the former Charleston Naval Shipyard into mixed residential, commercial, and park uses under a public authority. Comparable in converting a decommissioned military/waterfront installation into a mixed-use community with historic preservation.

Broad incumbents

• Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority: Municipal authority redeveloping blighted and underutilized urban land in Pittsburgh, including housing, commercial, and mixed-use projects. Comparable in publicly chartered redevelopment authority model and housing-led urban revitalization.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit focused on historic preservation with funding, technical assistance, and advocacy. Comparable in mission to FDRPC's preservation pillar, although at broader national scale and not a single-site redeveloper.
• Baltimore Development Corporation: City economic development authority driving mixed-use redevelopment, including waterfront and former industrial sites in Baltimore. Comparable in publicly chartered redevelopment authority with housing, commercial, and event programming mandate.

Regional players

• Delaware River Waterfront Corporation: Philadelphia nonprofit managing waterfront development along the Delaware River, including programming, parks, and event activation. Comparable in waterfront public programming and event-driven activation of legacy riverfront real estate.
• Wilmington Riverfront Development Corporation: Delaware-based nonprofit redeveloping Wilmington's Christina Riverfront into mixed residential, commercial, and entertainment uses. Regional peer working on similar Delaware waterfront revitalization with comparable public-private partnership structure.

Others

• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use, often partnering with state and municipal entities. Comparable in park-and-preservation mission focus and public-private partnership approach to conserving recreational land.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FortDuPont
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fortdupont
• Instagraminstagram.com/fortdupontredevelopment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation