DDP Economic Vitality Packet Revised

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting December 13, 2023 7:45 a.m. Loft Realty – 146 S. State Street, Dover AGENDA Revised 12-11-23 7:45 Continental breakfast 8:00 Welcome Agenda Minutes Public comments 8:05 Critical Improvements Program (CIP) Relaunch NOTE: This special presentation & discussion targeted to property owners of buildings in downtown Dover. See details below and pages 2 and 3. ZOOM LINK: In attached flyer 9:00 Adjourn About the program: In anticipation of new construction and development in downtown Dover, it is vital to bring current buildings up to today’s standards, and to occupy these buildings with appropriate and sustainable businesses. To address this need, in July 2022, the Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) was awarded funds from the Delaware Community Reinvestment Fund and, coupled with DDP and property owner funding, offered a special program of “limited time only” financial incentives for improvements to commercial properties in the downtown Dover central business district. The program prioritized critical life-safety and ADA compliance improvements, preparing for commercial kitchens, and ensuring that properties become leased as a result of improvements made. Just recently, the DDP was awarded additional funds to enable DDP to open a new round of funding allocations. In this presentation, attendees will: • See examples of how funding was allocated in the first round. • Hear about various State, County and local incentives for building improvements. • Consider whether their proposed project may fall in line with the priorities in the new round. • Preview the CIP Pre-Application. • Have opportunity to ask questions. NOTE: Meeting may adjourn early; informal discussion may continue beyond 9 a.m. Next scheduled meeting - January 17, 2024

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting November 15, 2023 7:30 a.m. at CenDel Attendance: Mitch May, Jonathan Street, Mike Harrington, Kim Adams, John Van Gorp, Mike Glick Staff: Ken Anderson, Diane Laird, Tina Bradbury, Jordan Resh MINUTES OPENING Street opened the meeting at 7:33 a.m. Street added an agenda item to revise the time of the meeting time after workplan. Harrington motioned to approve the updated agenda. Seconded by May. Unanimous approval. Harrington motioned to approve minutes. Seconded by May. Unanimous approval. PUBLIC COMMENTS N/A WORK PLAN Laird shared the full work plan to the EV committee, providing printed overviews. She noted that funding was received from the state for site acquisition and site readiness, to implement the master plan. Laird added that the page details the working groups for the committee. MEETING TIME Street opened a discussion about a new meeting time that works best for everyone’s schedule, noting that the early meeting time is typically uninterrupted by the member’s work schedules that start later in the day. Bradbury noted that City council meetings sometimes go late into Tuesday evening, making Wednesday mornings a challenge. Street responded that the city typically meets before the third Wednesday, which is the week the EV committee meets. Laird suggested meeting on the third Thursday of the month. Bradbury suggested allowing a call-in option and Street expressed caution towards hybrid meetings. Adams shared that she is not available every other Thursday morning nor the third Tuesday of the month. Van Gorp suggested reaching out to Hugg to see what date and time would work best for him. Laird asked if 8 a.m. is a viable option over 7:30 a.m. May expressed preference for 7:30 a.m. Laird noted that if call-in is preferred, it will be made available to those who want it. UPDATES FROM WORKING GROUPS Critical Improvements Laird shared there was no update for the Critical Improvements group as their next meeting is after the Thanksgiving holiday. Laird added that the group oversees the recommendations for use of funding from the State for critical improvements to downtown properties. The group makes recommendations to be voted on by the EV committee and create the application/supporting documents for the application. Economic Vitality Committee 11/15/23 Downtown Dover Partnership Page 1

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting November 15, 2023 7:30 a.m. at CenDel Laird added that the group allocates funding for applicants, focusing on renovations that offer commercial kitchens, life safety, and ADA compliance. She noted that recommendations must be approved by the board due to the amount of funding being provided. Site Readiness Laird shared that the site readiness group met yesterday to develop strategy and a road map for site readiness, including the three DDP owned priority sites. The sub-committee was provided with an overview of existing sites and next steps to prepare additional sites. She added that state DNREC and federal EPA grants are being pursued. Laird added that the committee recommended that properties made available by the City offer first right of refusal to the DDP and that a letter is sent to the city manager asking him to do so. Bradbury shared that if grant funds are awarded, a selection process will need to occur to select the vendor that the DDP will work with. Laird shared that DDP has permission to create RFQs to work with vendors. Adams asked if the site readiness program is the same as the State’s site readiness grant program. Laird responded that they are not applying for the state grant, but that funding has been allocated for general site readiness projects, alongside the pursuit of the EPA/DNREC funding. Van Gorp asked about priority sites. Laird responded with the three priority sites, 1) 120 S Governors, 2) Parking lot between S Bradford and S Governors (proposed for multi-modal transportation center wrapped with residential units), and 3) west-end, where DIMH was located (proposed for two large, mixed-use properties). Street clarified that the grant is for 1 million, and asked if Environmental Alliance is doing the brownfield study with the grant. Bradbury responded that Environmental Alliance is doing Phase 1 site analysis, which will inform the site readiness projects after. She added that if sites in the boundary are not owned by DDP currently, the funding will help assist in cleanup with an MOU that DDP will purchase the properties upon cleanup. The grant award will be announced in May 2024 with funds received in October 2024. Laird added that this program is a reason to share with the city DDP’s interest in purchasing city owned properties that go for sale. Unlock the Block Laird shared that an application came in from Chevonne Boyd of the Hive for the REAP, revolving loan fund. Laird added that the Hive is not fully operational because she is working on changing her zoning from commercial to assembly. She explained that Hive plans to offer a retail pop-up opportunity for small businesses to test the market and practice selling their product. Laird added that Boyd has faced challenges in change of zoning as well as safety, leading to submitting a request for new lighting, electric locks, and other safety measures. She added that the ask is around $1,800, but the committee wanted to see more financial information/revenue generation and more information about the business plan before making a decision but was generally in favor. Bradbury added that additional funding may be requested to help cover the costs of the second egress, required for the change of zoning. Laird added that the loan is up to $2,000, with the remaining funding being available to assist with installing the second egress if not spent on safety measures. Economic Vitality Committee 11/15/23 Downtown Dover Partnership Page 2

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting November 15, 2023 7:30 a.m. at CenDel May suggested that all renovations stay with the building. Laird responded that the committee had made the same recommendation and supported the suggestion. Harrington motioned to accept the Unlock the Block sub-committee’s recommendation to award Boyd the funding up to $2,000, pending additional documents being provided. May seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Marketing Downtown Dover Laird noted that brokers in the committee will be asked to help market new development and existing spaces. At this time, Laird asked members of the committee to help provide information about existing inventory and start working together to recruit new tenants. Laird added that the website has three expression of interest forms available – for contractors, business owners, and residents. She added that the information can act as a resource for property owners to connect them with interested parties. Harrington noted that it has been challenging to fill a recently vacant commercial space on Loockerman St, but that residential units fill up quickly. Harrington added that existing commercial tenants are also experiencing challenges to stay in business. Anderson added that he has received calls about residential spaces as well. Adams shared that her apartment renovations are nearly complete, with the plan to be complete by the end of the month. She added that people have reached out about leasing the apartment, but she wants to vet a quality tenant. She added that her next step is fire safety, then commercial kitchen renovation, and then continuing with other projects. Adams shared that she is moving her office spaces and plans to offer the existing space to a local college. OTHER BUSINESS Adams asked if DDP received an email about the grant offered by DOT, suggesting that it is utilized for the multi-modal site. Laird responded that she would explore the option, but learned previously that the projects must offer a certain amount of employment opportunities, and do not typically qualify for the projects DDP’s is taking on. Adams suggested that this recent grant offers other flexibility. Laird shared that a project at the west end is being considered that may include job creation, making it viable for the grant. Adams responded that the grant could be used to aid in TIF. Bradbury encouraged everyone to visit Rail Haus’ during their grand opening Saturday. Laird added that the establishment closes at 10 p.m., reflecting the family-friendly nature of the space and respect for local churches. Harrington added that the property is across from the doggy-daycare, Han Dover Your Rover. Bradbury added that Rail Haus received layered incentives, both large and small, from local and statewide programs. Laird added that the request for expansion of the DDD boundary was submitted. She added that in 10 years of DDD being in Dover, no commercial properties have utilized the fund, but that 5-7 large projects are in queue now. Anderson added that working with the EPA grant, Delaware had previously never submitted a request for this grant. Laird acknowledged the “snowball effect” of the master plan implementation. Economic Vitality Committee 11/15/23 Downtown Dover Partnership Page 3

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting November 15, 2023 7:30 a.m. at CenDel Anderson asked for clarification of the workplan, noting that “anticipate actual grant by June 30, 2023” is a previous date under the Revolving Loan Fund. Laird responded that the structure of the loan requires the funds to be distributed and then reimbursed by the USDA. She added that the program will likely not be continued due to the large administrative requirements and the changing nature of the loan rates offered. Harrington shared that he is working on redevelopment of a strip of land on Route 13 and plans to offer something beneficial to the community. Glick shared that he presented to the city yesterday with details of the plan for the former post office, including residential units, commercial space, and preserving the historic façade. He added that 2024 is anticipated to be in pursuit of all necessary permits with groundbreaking to occur at the end of 2024. ADJOURNMENT Harrington motioned to adjourn. Seconded by May. Unanimous approval. Economic Vitality Committee 11/15/23 Downtown Dover Partnership Page 4