CHAPTER 369
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 602
AN ACT TO GRANT APPROVAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO PURCHASE BELLEVUE MANOR ESTATE, BRANDYWINE HUNDRED, NEW CASTLE COUNTY, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Annual Capital Improvements Act of 1976, being Chapter 271, Volume 60, Laws of Delaware, $4,000,000.00 was appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for the purchase of land; and
WHEREAS, part of that money as described in the 1976 Annual Capital Project Schedule, was intended for the acquisition of the Bellevue Manor Estate; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 271, Volume 60, Section 17, Delaware Laws prohibits the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control from purchasing any land, the purchase price of which is in excess of $50,000.00, without prior approval of the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 32 of the first session of the 127th General Assembly authorized the Governor to appoint a committee for the purpose of meeting with the heirs of the late William duPont, Jr., to discuss possible disposition of his Bellevue Estate; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 1974 the Committee concluded that the Governor and the General Assembly should proceed to purchase this land and use all available means to accomplish this as soon as possible; and
Environmental Control have taken steps to purchase the tract of improved lands consisting of approximately 273.35 ± acres known as Bellevue Manor Estate located in Brandywine Hundred_, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware; and
WHEREAS, appraisals have been completed on the Bellevue Manor Estate; and the fair market value for the Estate has been determined to be $6,250,000.00; and
WHEREAS, matching Federal Funds from the Land and Water Conservation Act, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation are available in the amount of $3,125,000.00 and
WHEREAS, the Trustees under the Will of William du-Pont, Jr. agree to sell said property to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control subject to General Assembly approval by April 1, 1976; Federal approval for matching assistance by July 1, 1976; and approval of the appropriate Delaware Court for the Trustees to consummate the sale of the Bellevue Manor Estate; and
WHEREAS, the tract of land is located in the most densely populated area of the State, which when purchased will enhance the expansion of recreation pursuits and perservation of open space.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Dela ware:
Section 1. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is hereby granted approval by the 128th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, pursuant to Chapter 271, Volume 60, Laws of Delaware, Section 17 to purchase the Bellevue Manor Estate for $6,250,000.00 consisting of 273.35 ± acres and improvements thereon, situated in Brandywine Hundred, New
Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware for recreation and open space preservation.
Section 2. Approval is granted subject to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control receiving Federal matching funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.