Leadership Crisis at Fort DuPont
The Fort DuPont Rehabilitation and Preservation Corporation (FDRPC) is undergoing a leadership crisis following the revelation that Executive Director, Jeffrey Randol, is financially compromised with more than $4 million in tax liens and foreclosures, and is the subject of additional allegations of wrongdoing.
Delaware’s Public Meeting Calendar includes notice of a special FDRPC Executive Session which is expected to decide Randol’s fate at 8:30 AM Friday morning 1/28. At a Delaware City Mayor and Council meeting earlier this week, Dave Baylor, Vice Chair of the FDRPC Board, acknowledged that Mr. Randol would be vacating his position as Executive Director.
However, some Randol supporters on the Board are advocating for FDRPC to retain their former Executive Director as a consultant in spite of the serious charges against him. FDRPC has received more than $15 million in state appropriations under Mr. Randal’s tenure with only one other person minding the Corporation’s books.
FDRPC belatedly arranged for annual audits (scroll to the bottom and click “Financial”) which report only the amount of the state appropriation with no data on the expenditure of these public funds. FightDECorruption.com is calling for a Forensic Audit of FDRPC.
The Sasaki Master Plan for Fort Dupont identified a marina and a bridge over the Branch Canal as two key “anchors”. The word marina appears 53 times in the Master Plan. During Mr. Randol’s six years as Executive Director, little progress has been made on either of these Master Plan priorities.
Instead, Mr. Randol secretly orchestrated the sale of the 133-acre Grassdale parcel of Fort DuPont State Park for development as a private RV Campground for up to 475 vehicles. This project was never mentioned in the Master Plan.
Although Mr. Randol and the Board were advised by FDRPC Counsel that Grassdale was protected Open Space land under the Delaware Land Protection Act, Randol closed on this sale in October for $5 million. Contract documents admit to a “TITLE DEFECT” which cannot be corrected. FightDECorruption.com is advocating to reverse this illegal sale.
The policy and purpose of the enabling legislation declares that the Fort DuPont Complex should remain a “public” destination, maintaining National Register status and preserving historic buildings, and that Fort DuPont grow together as “one city” with strong Community engagement.
Instead of building community, Mr. Randol has become a lightning rod of conflict between Fort Dupont and Delaware City. Rather than preserving this protected public land for public enjoyment, Mr. Randol has sold these lands to be developed for an exclusive and private RV resort. Instead of preserving buildings on the National Historic Register, there have been charges that he directed their unlawful destruction.
A Delaware City police investigation was initiated based on allegations that Mr. Randol ordered the demotion of an historic building slated for renovation in the Fort DuPont Master Plan. Jeff Randal has also been personally cited by DNREC for environmental violations at the Fort DuPont site.
Perhaps the most successful Fort DuPont restoration has been the home occupied by Mr. Randol. In the range of $1 million has been spent equipping his residence with an elevator, an in-law suite, and a large KOI Pond. He pays about 50% of fair market rental for this magnificent home.
House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, who sponsored the FDRPC Enabling Act, has been a severe critic of Mr. Randol. Last January she introduced HB 85 which would limit Mr. Randol’s authority and resources. Longhurst introduced this bill and kept it on the House Ready List to pressure Randol to improve his job performance. Following the latest revelations, the Majority Leader is calling for Randol’s departure without a consulting contract.
Given the extent and nature of the charges against Randol, retaining him as a consultant would be an unfortunate decision for the FDRPC Board. Instead, Randol’s departure should be a turning point for Fort DuPont with an end to conducting public business in secrecy, a forensic audit, and reversal of the Grassdale sale.
Delaware’s Public Meeting Calendar includes notice of a special FDRPC Executive Session which is expected to decide Randol’s fate at 8:30 AM Friday morning 1/28. At a Delaware City Mayor and Council meeting earlier this week, Dave Baylor, Vice Chair of the FDRPC Board, acknowledged that Mr. Randol would be vacating his position as Executive Director.