Economic Development Committee Final Minutes and Exhibits 2-14-2023

Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes February 14, 2023 – 4:00pm The Economic Development Committee Meeting was held in person and by video conference on February 14, 2023, at 4:03 p.m. with Mayor Robin R. Christiansen presiding. Committee Members present in person or via video were Mayor Robin R. Christiansen, Councilman David Anderson, City Manager Dave Hugg, City Planner Mary Ellen Gray, Dr. Dina Vendetti of Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce, and Diane Laird of Downtown Dover Partnership. Guests present were Chantae Vinson and Nia Harvey. Absent was Kim Adams and Clay Hammond. WELCOME The meeting will be called to order at this time with a quorum. Councilman Anderson moved to approve the agenda and minutes as presented. Seconded by City Manager Dave Hugg and Mary Ellen Gray. West End Neighborhood House (Chantae Vinson and Nia Harvey) Thank you for having us. Greatly appreciate it. So, with no more introduction Nia Harvey is going to go ahead and introduce the West End Neighborhood House Workforce Readiness Development part then I will jump in when we get to the environmental training part. So, our workforce readiness program integrates a lot of the employability framework, so we take someone’s academic progress, academic skills, their interpersonal, personal qualities, and technology and we enhance their resources. By applying that as well as employer buy in, we have what is our Workforce Readiness Program. Chantae Vinson and Nia Harvey reviewed the presentation entitled “The Education & Employment Center Workforce Development Presentation” Exhibit #1. Mayor Robin R. Christiansen asked if there are any questions from the members of the committee? Diane Laird asked if these services are available to people statewide or just New Castle County? Nia Harvey stated because of COVID obviously we all remember that we had to learn how to be resilient and flexible in our service delivery. So, we can do all our services 100% remote. We use a learning management system Schoology as some of you are familiar. We utilize Schoology so literally someone can reach out to us on one of our interest forms. We have their email, they will have a case manager reach out to them, meets with them virtually. They will have Schoology platforms that open all those resources to them. They can schedule meetings with case managers and employment specialists. And as our case managers, we have a

Economic Development Meeting of February 14, 2023 PAGE 2 different type of case management; they don’t sit in offices all day. They are out in the community. So, a case manager if they need to provide hands on actual support they would be down here in Kent or Sussex County to provide those hands-on support. Literally any and everywhere. Councilman Anderson stated first of all thank you for coming down here and making this valuable presentation. I have a couple of questions. I wanted to follow up on Ms. Laird’s question. One is when you come to employers, how would an employer get involved if they were interested? And the second part of that is, you said that the internship is subsidized. Who pays for the internship? Is it a half and half or all? Nia Harvey responded it is all paid by us. We are funded by the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency. We are funded by the Department of Labor through several grants. So, we have youth grant, adult grant, and another grant which is the fast-track grant and so forth. So, I will let Chantae go more in debt about employment because she does that. But essentially, a lot of times we don’t wait for them to seek us out; we are on them. We’re there as soon as we get a hint that a student is interested in any type of industry. If we don’t already have an established relationship, we are going to establish one, immediately. So, a lot of that is networking. Mayor Christiansen stated I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you coming here. Because we need you desperately. We need you desperately. And I don’t say that in passing. Because being a former officer in the fire department I’ve learned to be cool, calm, and collective. But we need you desperately. I am sounding the second alarm. So, I have one other request for you. I appreciate your presentation. On the 21st we have an Interdenominational Minister meeting here at City Hall at 6 o’clock. I know you don’t want to drive from Wilmington to here, but I think it would be terrific if you made your presentation to them. Because one of the things I believe in is collaboration. I don’t want you to stop with just us. But I think if you meet with them, they have a lot of networking. Am I right Reverend Grimes? And will try to have some other folks like NeighborGood Partners. which used to be NCALL. They have a launcher program that is terrific that folks might fall right into. But we need you to be here to collaborate with others. Dr. Vendetti and the Chamber, guess you will exchange cards when you get a chance. There is a method to our madness we are trying to build up to 1000 chamber members. But having said that we need you, we appreciate you taking time out of your day to be here. And I look forward to seeing you on a regular basis. Dina Vendetti stated I just wanted to piggyback on what the Mayor is saying. And talk a little bit of how important it is for collaboration to happen. We have a lot of programs and a lot of organizations that do wonderful work in workforce development. If there was a way to coordinate some of those efforts. And he is right, we do need you desperately. People are blowing up my phone everyday saying, “I can’t get anybody to work”, “I don’t know what I am going to do”. All that kind of stuff. So, if there is anything we can do to help foster those relationships with various entities that are working on this. Mayor stated to piggyback on that; in Dover as I told you in Wilmington, I think I said this. We dream big here and if you stick around for a couple seconds, we’re going to share with you in a short presentation about one of the reasons we need you here. Because we continue to dream big, we reach for the stars. We may not get that star, but we dream big. Councilman Anderson asked if they could relate to the GVI program? There are people who are in that program who are very

Economic Development Meeting of February 14, 2023 PAGE 3 interested in internships and the like. Mayor Christiansen stated that the GVI program, I hope you are probably familiar with it, then we got the junior GVI program that Larry Normile is running so we will get you in collaboration with him. And Larry works with young people before they go over the edge, or after they have gone over the edge and redirects them, and I think your program will be so great and beneficial. Once again, we need you. Downtown Dover Development Partnership (Diane Laird, Executive Director) Diane Laird stated thank you Mr. Mayor. Diane Laird Downtown Dover Development Partnership Executive Director. And yes, I can piggyback on a number of those comments. I couldn’t support your comments and Dina’s comments more about the workforce development opportunities that the ladies bring from West End Neighborhood House. When we set out to do a master plan, we wanted it to be all the answers to all the issues and they’re complex and many. And in the downtown as you know, I know Sara that works up with West End Neighborhood House. And what I want to say is what we have is more of a redevelopment document then an answer to all things like vacancy, workforce development, homelessness, and safety and all of that. We can run on the economic development realm and workforce development of course is the way to bring marginalized populations into daily life and communal life with a broad demographic. And it is vital that we do that. And I have been asking myself knowing this is one of the more important parts of the plan in addition to redevelopment. The idea of equity. And having the opportunity to spur workforce development here and really not knowing a lot of the partners in that realm. So, Dina your comments are terrific, and both of you ladies, this is a conversation, a very important one that needs to continue. So, many you have seen this overview presentation, I will not make it long. Yvonne will speed through it with me. Let me just read something that is not up on the screen. Just a bit of it. When we presented this document, I did present it to the board of directors. I sent it with a letter of transmittal. To give it little bit of background of why it was done, and how it should be read. The reason it was done was to address the core of Delaware’s capital city that is continuing to suffer from physical decline and disinvestment for many years. Number two, to identify needs and opportunities for redevelopment and reinvestment in this high priority target area for that purpose. And to detail implementation investment strategies to guide this community toward an equitable, substantiable, and economically sound future. And the goal is to revitalize it, to literally transform it from what it is now, high level of vacancy in the downtown, not enough housing, certainly not enough people. And a future that looks very bright. If we can get many people living down here, and enjoying a lifestyle where they can live, work, and play and recreate all without taking their car out. Diane Laird reviewed the presentation entitled, “Downtown Dover Development Partnership Presentation” Exhibit #2. Councilman Anderson stated I want to thank you for the leadership that you and the DDP team did to kick this off. I know you all took a little bit of criticism at first with the price tag of the study, but you look good with arrows in your back. Ms. Laird what doesn’t kill will make you stronger, right? Councilman Anderson stated I think there has been an amazing unity in the community that is coming out about this because I believe it was done the right way and I want to thank you for that. My question is dealing with we are here with Economic Development

Economic Development Meeting of February 14, 2023 PAGE 4 Committee. I am thinking of how I should phrase this; I have several things written down. But when it comes to your looking at starting, just getting started here and trying to combine, we have the DDD incentives, we have the opportunity zone, we have the new market where we’re ready, and we’re authorized conduit bonds; we just need help in structuring them now. Meet the expertise in structuring the program. Can you walk me through a little bit on how that is going to be marketed to somebody who is looking at coming in here and investing. Like I know a firm in New Jersey, I happen to know some people that wanted to walk through and said hey a lot of exciting things are happening here. They’re pretty excited after they finished their 100+million project. They’re actually looking maybe next year to coming and doing something here. I think one of their projects was 600 million. And if they do 10 million here, I’ll be happy. How would this look for a company like that, that would like to buy a building and revitalize it into a mixed use. Could you walk this vision through in a way I can see as practically please. I know it’s a tough question, I apologize. Diane Laird responded; well I am not a developer. But I have a very general simple path. It’s not easy to do, but it is a simple path. Like a budget, it’s a simple concept not necessarily easy to follow through with. Our goal is to hire a person that is familiar and experienced in development and redevelopment. And one that is going to be sort of king of the plan and move it forward to implementation. With that will come the marketing materials whether on paper or definitely online. It will come with RFP’s for specific properties and those RFP’s can define the incentives that are local, state, and federal. They can provide the visions of these buildings of the downtown. They can give an understanding of the leadership that exist here at the local state and county level that is desiring for good development to take place. And I don’t think we can discount the importance of that welcome. And the groundwork that we are laying now to insure that is going to come to pasts. And so we are, that is the priority, it is one here, but these are very small but the priority of the DDP is to set up another entity that would be able to take advantage of grants that we can’t take advantage of now like the DDP and just put it in real terms 1.5 million per qualified project is the potential of that kind of funding that we can’t take advantage of now. And then that person that is hired hopefully within the next few months will be overseeing that entity and it would have a board of directors. And all that has yet to be seen, but that would be the model we have seen in other places including the Wilmington Riverfront. Councilman Anderson stated my next question is, forget the ideal of a police substation ok but if there were a police community office right off Bradford Street in the place now open to being donated, and there was a community office for the Dover City Police, do you think that would be helpful? Diane Laird responded it may be helpful, but I don’t think it is necessary. When this kind of development takes place because I have taken advantage of, we have accepted training, community policing, crime prevention through environmental design. And that is non policing ways to reduce crime. Through physical environment through aesthetics, cameras, and through surveillance of course, lighting, and people taking care of properties. All those are things that can be done to help reduce crime. And simply the idea of eyes on the street, the more eyes on the street called the normal, in their language the normal on the street help to move the others that are not. I hate to use that language but that is the language of the crime prevention philosophy. So, the more people eating, walking, driving, living in town there is just simply going to be a less proportionate number of those that are vagrant, homeless, or committing crimes. And it’s not to say they won’t move elsewhere. I don’t know, hopefully with some of these workforce

Economic Development Meeting of February 14, 2023 PAGE 5 development programs, with equitable housing, with an environment that encourages them and invites them to take part in being a good citizen in all ways. Everybody on all levels to be a good citizen. I mean to enjoy the environment to take care of it. I believe in, change is possible, but it is going to take a lot of people wanting the same thing. So, in terms of a substation maybe it would help, maybe it wouldn’t. But I believe in the subtype principles. Councilman Anderson responded thank you. Ms. Laird responded, “you’re welcome. Mayor Christiansen asked if any other members of the committee have questions for Ms. Laird in regard to this project? Anybody online Brandy that has a question? Brandy responded there is no one online. Reverend Grimes? Reverend Grimes stated I don’t have a question, but I would just like to echo what Councilman Anderson said. I applaud Ms. Laird and her team. The tenaciously and just their diligent seeing this project through, and all the hard work is really appreciated. Ms. Laird responded thank you and thank you to all the leadership here and that the county and state levels could not be done without that philosophical and financial support. Mayor stated the chair recognizes Dr. Vendetti. Dina Vendetti stated thank you Mr. Mayor. You know I am going to have to say something about this. I think this is one of the most exciting things that haven’t happened in a long time, I think. It gives a lot of hope and promise for our city which is already a great place to be. And it is going to be even greater, and I believe that quickly. I asked somebody who grew up in Baltimore before harbor place took over the inner harbor. I know what that place looked like, and it was way worse than Dover, Delaware let me tell you. And there are lots of places. I was just in Richmond not long ago, and they have done a revitalization in their downtown that is really cool. Our friends here from the north can talk about the Riverfront. It is indeed possible. And I think that this plan whether it comes to an end, whether it looks exactly like the pictures or not, I think the ideals are fabulous. I love the transportation hub. That’s just hip you know, and if we want to invite hip people to be downtown, we better be having some hip things for them to do and ways to get around. You know the electric vehicle thing is a big deal right now. Or even just not the gas-powered vehicles I guess which personally I have mixed feelings about. However, that is the way it is going. And I think to have opportunities for people downtown in a safe way other than traveling around in cars and it’s easier to see the downtown when you’re not enclosed in a vehicle also, so that’s another thing. So, I really am excited about this, and I think it is time for everybody everywhere who has ever said downtown Dover needs a facelift to get on board with this and let’s go do it. So, thanks. Diane Laird responded thank you Dina. Downtowndover.com that’s where you can find all the full plan, the short plan, and the executive summary of 2 pages. Mayor asked Ms. Grey, Mr. Hug anything? Thank you. Mayor Christiansen stated that we only have the room till 5:00 o’clock, so you’re going to have to hear me say something. Everybody knows I am a history buff. And today is the birthday of a very famous person from Dover, Delaware. And that is Bishop Richard Allen, who was one of the founders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a local fella who made us proud. And let’s try to remember him and his contribution to Delaware history as well as the United States history. I will make this other announcement; we have the St. Patrick’s Day parade coming up on March 11th. I think there is still time to register. We have some local folks that have stepped forward to put this on the street and bring folks to downtown Dover so they can see before, and hopefully they’ll remember after.

Economic Development Meeting of February 14, 2023 PAGE 6 NEXT MEETING DATE March 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM ADJOURNMANT Mayor Robin R. Christiansen made a motion to adjourn. It’s been moved and seconded by many. Mayor Christiansen called the meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM. Exhibits Exhibit #1 – West End Neighborhood House (Chantae Vinson and Nia Harvey) Presentation Exbibit #2 – Downtown Dover Development Partnership (Diana Laird) Presentation

TEACH A COURSE

8 – WEEK WORKFORCE READINESS COURSE Career Exploration and Mapping SMART Goals Digital Literacy Occupational Skills Training Employability Development Hard and Practical Skills Development Interpersonal/Emotional Intelligence Skills Development Transitioning to Employment 2

CS SS CPR F W Customer ServSafe Food CPR/First Aid Forklift Warehouse Service Handler & Manager Operator Logistics Specialist eTIPS Alcohol Specialist Server Certification OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING 3

PAID INTERNSHIPS We offer the following:  $15 - $17 per hour  Variety of site locations aligned with one’s chosen career path  Integrated and aligned with workforce readiness and career pathways 4

JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE ▪ Working Wednesday • Resume workshops • Job search assistance • Open computer lab • Onsite employers ▪ Streamlined hiring process with a plethora of area employers ▪ Wages starting at $15-$18 per hour (more with certifications) ▪ Host bi-annual job fairs 5

FREE 4 – WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM 12 Certifications: ▪ OSHA 10 (General Construction Safety) ▪ OSHA 40 – HAZWOPER (Hazardous Materials Technician) ▪ OSHA Confined Space Entry (CSE) ▪ Aerial Lift and Mobile Scaffolding Basics ▪ Scissor Lift ▪ Mold Remediation/Water Intrusion Worker ▪ Lead RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) ▪ Forklift Operator ▪ Asbestos Worker ▪ Lock Out/Tag Out ▪ Soil Sampling ▪ Blood Borne Pathogens 6

OTHER SERVICES  GED and Adult Literacy and Tutoring  Digital and Financial Literacy  Comprehensive Case Management. Possible supportive services through DOL funding (transportation assistance, clothing assistance, etc.)  Mental heath services through community partnerships  Post-Secondary transition assistance  Food insecurity assistance  Housing assistance  Childcare – before and after care, summer camp,  Entrepreneurship 7

EMAIL – MHARVEY@WESTENDNH.ORG

WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING PROGRAM

WELCOME TO WEST END! Established in 1883 Our mission is to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency 2

ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING Program Sequence – 4 Weeks of Training Today: Orientation Weeks 2-4: Week 5: & Training Job Search & Screening Courses Placement Week 1: Job Retention Job Readiness, (12 Months Soil Sampling & Follow-Up) Fork Lift Classes 3

BENEFITS • At the end of this training participants have: • Certifications in OSHA-40 Construction Safety and Hazardous Waste Handling • Certification in an environmental career that fits your goals and abilities • NO debt or student loans • Hands-on experience in an environmental field • The skills needed to successfully obtain employment and retain employment • An average starting wage of $18-20 per hour in a skilled trade after completion 4

The Environmental Edge Training Program 5

CERTIFICATIONS • OSHA 10 (General Safety) • OSHA 40 – HAZWOPER (HazMat Handling) • Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting (Lead RRP) • Asbestos Worker I • Mold/Microbial Remediation Worker • Aerial Lift/Mobile Scaffolding Basics • Confined Space Entry (CSE) • Forklift Operation • Soil Sampling

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TRAINING? • Supportive services and job placement INTERNSHIPS & JOB PLACEMENT assistant for a year post-graduation • Seasonal Job Fairs • After finishing courses, participants • Weekly Working Wednesday workshops update resumes and prepare for • Assistance with updating resume, internships or intensive job search identify new employment, receive activities additional coaching (i.e. mock • Job Search Assistance interviewing, presentation, etc.) • Online Applications, including assessment test • Assistance with filling out W4 forms • Direct referrals JOB RETENTION • Environmental Employer Guest Speakers • Employment Placement Assistance 7

OTHER SERVICES EDUCATION & TRAINING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES • Alternate Training • Comprehensive Case Management • Digital and Financial Literacy • Emergency Assistance • Tutoring Assistance • Entrepreneurship Training • Career Exploration • $tandbyMe • Post-Secondary Support • Housing Assistance • Youth Services 8

Orientations every Monday @ 9am

THANK YOU! FLORA@CONTOSO.COM HTTP://WWW.CONTOSO.COM/

Transforming Downtown Dover Capital City 2030 DOVER, KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE January 2023

About Bernardon is an architecture, interior design, and landscape BACKGROUND Mosaic Development Partners is a full service commercial real estate development and project management company. Mosaic architecture firm, with offices in Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia and West Chester, Pennsylvania. Their specializes on ground up development and adaptive reuse of architecture, interior design, and landscape expertise provide commercial properties in underserved communities. Mosaic the foundation for the array of complementary design utilizes viable financial instruments and construction methods services they provide that include urban design, master to help stabilize and grow neighborhoods and create jobs. By planning, renovation/repositioning, historic preservation, The Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), working with the City partnering with municipalities, established developers, not and sustainable design. Bernardon served as lead designer of Dover and supporting public and non-profit agencies, released for-profit organizations and government entities, Mosaic for the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Allentown has a Request for Proposals to select a consultant team to develop a leverages investments and revitalizes properties in struggling ushered in a significant amount of collaborative revitalization Strategic Master Plan for the downtown and closely surrounding or stagnated communities. (totaling more than $500 million in investment since 2014), neighborhood area within the City of Dover, Delaware to create Mosaic is team lead for the development of the Dover making it the third largest and the fastest growing city in the a renewed and revitalized community, one that is vibrant, Master Plan. Mosaic is leading the strategic learning process Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. connected, and communal. including leading meetings with all stakeholders and the To achieve this objective, DDP selected Mosaic Development community. Mosaic guides the team in the creation of Partners through a competitive process, and their team of strategic approaches to revitalize downtown Dover. Mosaic consultants including Bernardon, Kimley Horn, and EConsult brings a wealth of master plan development and project Solutions, to identify key opportunities for investment in the management to this team and will draw from that experience downtown community and fundamentally change existing to produce a comprehensive document to help guide Dover in Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) provides businesses and public perceptions about the ongoing decline of quality of life in the its revitalization of downtown. policy makers with consulting services in urban economics, downtown district. real estate economics, transportation, public infrastructure, The plan outlined in this document, Capital City 2030: development, public policy and finance, community and Transforming Downtown Dover, will serve as a community neighborhood development, planning, as well as expert guide to drive decision making and programming in the Dover witness services for litigation support. ESI combines robust Downtown District. quantitative analysis with trusted expert insights and impactful implementation to create sustainable solutions. ESI Principals and Senior Advisors include nationally recognized experts in urban development, real estate, government and public policy, planning, transportation and infrastructure, non-profit management, business strategy and administration. THE TEAM Mosaic assembled a team of experts with Kimley-Horn is one of the nation’s premier planning and strong track records in helping communities design consulting firms. With more than 95 offices from coast create and implement strategic master plans. to coast, including our local offices in Philadelphia, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County, Kimley-Horn specializes in asset management, aviation, energy, environmental, forensics, integrated water, land planning and landscape architecture, parking, roadway and bridge design, site development, survey, technology, transit, and transportation. TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 2

T h e Process Listen Discover Ideate 24 Zoom 3 Total Charrettes meetings with with t o t a l attendance 206 Participants of over 75 People 550 Surveyed and over 800 individual 6 12 In-Person meetings connections 1- o n - 1 Meetings with over 30 Participants TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 3

K e y Findings K e y Findings FROM INTERVIEWS FROM THE TEAM Over months of meetings, the team identified many Drawing from the experience and vision of our team, key findings. Some of the most critical are as follows: we identified several areas to address: • Lack of pedestrian traffic to support businesses • Financial incentives are needed to spur investment from the private market • Strong demand for more amenities downtown • Regional anchors are not well connected to downtown • Demand for more quality housing and greater density downtown • Very few businesses downtown to attract new residents • Physical condition of the infrastructure burdens • Current housing stock not supportive of retail programming business and property owners • Streetscapes (trees and sidewalks) and design not • Large concern for safety and reducing vagrancy conducive to a thriving downtown and homelessness TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 4

Equitable Development Leads to a vibrant and Provides a housing welcoming downtown framework that supports all community income levels Creates financial paths for local residents Creates opportunities to stabilize to participate in wealth building through the community through workforce development development programs Supports existing local businesses and Ensures ongoing input from community property owners and their ongoing representatives in the planning and investments in the community development process TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 5

15* ACRES Developable Projected PLAN OUTCOMES Land Across 927 10 Parcels Residential Units *14.94 Across 6 Sites 27,500 SF 204 Grocery Store Room Hotel 2,575 Parking Linear Feet of River Walk 21.6 ACRES of Green Space 792 Spaces 97,700 SF of Commercial Space MULTI-MODAL 3,674 LINEAR FT TRANSIT HUB COMMUNITY 500 MILLION AMPHITHEATER of Loockerman Commercial Road Projected Investment TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 6

CREATE A Radical Arrival TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 7

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY Outside Connections CONNECTION ANA LYSIS Vehicular / Pedestrian Connections This map shows various types of connections and pathways that allow vehicles and pedestrians to move through Dover. To the east, DE-1 (Route 1) and US-13 (Highway 13) both create a significant bifurcation between downtown Dover and the DOWNTOWN DSU surrounding neighborhoods. Within the downtown CAMPUS district of Dover, access is much easier for users on foot or bicycle. From the transit center located at the southwest corner, most of the downtown district can be accessed in a 20-minute walk, or 5-minute bike ride. STATE GOVERNMENT KEY: I BAYHEALTH HOSPITAL, PARCELS/LOTS KENT CAMPUS DDD (DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT) DOVER AIR FORCEBASE DOWNTOWN CORE ANCHOR POINTS VEHICULAR PATH TO DOWNTOWN ARTERIAL ROAD BIKE LANES BIKE FRIENDLY ROADS WALKING/BIKING TRAILS SCALE: 1" = 750' DOVER TRANSIT CENTER TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 8

Multi-modal Community OTHER MOBILIT Y CONSIDER ATIONS • Green Alleys – Upgrade the State Street Alley and • Downtown Circulator/Trolley Service – other corridors with landscaping, lighting, and Explore the feasibility of a high frequency and permeable pavers to create dedicated pedestrian complementary trolley service to connect only connections between DSU Downtown and shopping, recreation, parking, and multimodal Loockerman Street. hubs. • ADA Accessible Sidewalk Improvements – • Bikeshare/Scooter Share Programs – Explore the implementation feasibility of a bike or scooter Continue to improve sidewalk infrastructure share program to build flexibility for occasional to create equitable streets that work for all bike ride use downtown. members of the community. • On-Demand Transit/Micromobility – Consider • Bus Stop Amenity Upgrade – Invest in bus subscription-based, on-demand transit service stop infrastructure (lighting, seating, Wi-Fi to serve trips between DSU, Bayhealth Hospital connection, and travel information) to make [Kent Campus], Loockerman Street, the Dover riding the bus fun and convenient. Airforce Base. TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 9

NEW SPACES ADDED 315 198 135 Centralized Parking Strategy 129 Governors Railroad Avenue 120 Governor’s Avenue Avenue We believe communities should be built around people. Cars and parking exist to bring people to communities. We recommend structured parking conveniently placed off the main street. This will allow the corridor to focus on people 55 43 36 Loockerman Old City Hall W. Loockerman while offering more parking nearby. Way Plaza & PNC Bank & S. Queen Street TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 10

PEDESTRIAN VEHICULAR PEDESTRIAN Loockerman Revived 16' 10' 10' 7' 7' SIDEWALK & CURB VEHICULAR LANE VEHICULAR LANE PARKING LANE SIDEWALK & CURB RECOMMENDED STREETSCAPE TYPOLOGIES W. Loockerman Street OUTDOOR EATING SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS NARROWED ROADS “TRAFFIC CALMING” OUTDOOR EATING SPACES - By eliminating one side of on-street parking on W. Loockerman ONE LANE Street, the pedestrian realm is widened and allows for opportunity to have outdoor seating WIDER OFPARKING SIDEWALKS and eating areas. Creating additional space for pedestrians to sit and/or eat, activates new energy and activity on Loockerman Street. LONG TERM SOLUTIONS NARROWED ROADS "TRAFFIC CALMING" - These strategies work hand in hand by narrowing the roadway for vehicles, the pedestrian sidewalk becomes wider. Creating wider areas for pedestrians to walk creates a more comfortable space to walk in a group, while narrowing the roads reduces vehicle speed. Reducing the speed of vehicles on a heavily used pedestrian road increases the safety for pedestrians. WIDER SIDEWALKS - Expanding the width of the pedestrian realm (sidewalks) creates a more comfortable walking environment and more opportunity to enhance the landscaping within the streetscape with wider planting beds. TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 11

A Need for Greater Density COORDIN ATED ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS • A key finding from our research is downtown • Add over 2,000 new residents Dover lacks the density to support the • Focus on residents with disposable income amenities requested. • Draw from our Key Anchors • Although there are several key anchors nearby, few • Bayhealth Hospital – Kent Campus of the employees/students of those • Delaware State Government anchors frequent downtown. • Delaware State University • Need for more residents with disposable • Dover Air Force Base income to power business growth • Attract desirable & sustainable amenities & businesses TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 12

K e y Anchors Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus Delaware State Government Delaware State University Dover Air Force Base TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 13

KEY: Potential Project Sites PROPOSED BUILDING FOOTPRINT OPEN SPACE 1 RAILROAD AVENUE (DDP OWNED) 2 RAILROAD AVENUE (ACQUIRED PARCELS) 3 600 FOREST STREET (PARKLET) 4 326 W. LOOCKERMAN STREET 12 5 120 S. GOVERNORS AVENUE (DDP OWNED) 6 239 W. LOOCKERMAN STREET 7 LOOCKERMAN WAY PLAZA 8 129 GOVERNORS AVENUE (PARKING STRUCTCURE) 9 1 WEST LOOCKERMAN 10 PNC AND M&T BANK PARKING LOT 11 11 “FORMER” POST OFFICE (CITY OWNED) 12 MEMORIAL PARK (CITY OWNED) 5 8 10 9 6 1 3 7 2 4 200 600 100 400 1000 TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 14

MIXED USE WITH GROCERY STORE 5 4 1 2 B. VIEW OF 120 GOVERNORS AVENUE ALONG SOUTH NEW STREET 3 B. 120 Governor ’s Avenue BRINGING BACK GROCERY AND RESIDENTS TO DOWNTOWN KEY: SITE METRICS 1 GROUND FLOOR GROCERY Acreage: 1.76 Acre 2 OUTDOOR AMENITY ABOVE PARKING PODIUM (THIRD FLOOR) Building: 6 story Building (4-story Wood Construction over 2-story Steel Podium) 3 SURFACE PARKING 4 TWO STORY PODIUM PARKING & RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE • Residential: 179,500 SF (196 units) 5 RESIDENTIAL LOBBY & RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE • Grocery: 27,500 SF GROCERY ENTRANCE • Parking: (2-story Garage) 37,000 SF (113 Spaces) • Outdoor Amenity: 16,300 (above Podium) *Plan/Design is conceptual • Residential Support (Lobby, Amenity, etc.): 11,400 SF Exterior Parking: 22 Spaces TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 15

MIXED USE WITH TRANSIT HUB 4 7 6 5 C. VIEW FROM SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE LOOKING NORTH TOWARDS WEST REED STREET 129 Governor ’s Avenue 1 3 2 C. P R O V I D I N G N E E D E D PARKING A N D A MU LTI-MODAL KEY: TRANSIT HUB 1 GROUND FLOOR MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT HUB 2 OUTDOOR AMENITY ABOVE TRANSIT HUB (FOURTH FLOOR) SITE METRICS 3 SURFACE PARKING Acreage: 1.23 Acre (across 8 parcels- 145 Governors, 139 Governors, 133 Governors, 127 4 RESIDENTIAL UNITS WRAPPED AROUND PARKING DECK Governors, 136 Bradford, 132 Bradford, 130 Bradford, 124 Bradford) 5 RESIDENTIAL LOBBY ON GROUND FLOOR Building: 5 story Building (4-story Wood Construction over 1-story Steel Podium wrap 6 PUBLIC PARKING DECK around steel parking deck) 7 TOWNHOUSE-STYLE APARTMENTS • Residential: 134,600 SF 146 units *Plan/Design is conceptual • Commercial: 5,500 SF • Transit Hub: 8,300 SF • Parking: (5-story Garage) 102,500 SF (20,500 SF/ Floor) 315 Spaces • Outdoor Amenity: 3,100 Sf (above Podium) • Residential Support (Lobby, Amenity, etc.): 3,100 SF TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 16

MIXED USE FARMER’S MARKET F. 2 BUILDING A 1 F. INTERSECTION OF WEST LOOCKERMAN STREET AND SOUTH BRADFORD STREET 4 BUILDING B LOOKING WEST 1 4 Loockerman Way Plaza ESTABLISHING A NEW DOWNTOWN CORE 3 3 SITE METRICS Acreage: 1.15 Acre Building A: 5 story Building (4-story Wood Construction over 1-story Steel Podium) • Residential: 80,000 SF (20,000 SF / Floor) - 88 units • KEY: Commercial: 9,000 SF • Parking: (Ground Floor) 10,400 SF - 32 Spaces 1 GROUND FLOOR RETAIL & RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE • Outdoor Amenity: 20,000 Sf (Rooftop) 2 PUBLIC GREENSPACE / FARMER’S MARKET • Residential Support (Lobby, Amenity, etc.): 1,000 SF 3 PODIUM PARKING & RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE 4 RESIDENTIAL LOBBY & RESIDENTIAL UNITS ABOVE Building B: 5 story Building (4-story Wood Construction over 1-story Steel Podium) • Residential: 51,200 SF (12,800 SF / Floor) - 56 units *Plan/Design is conceptual • Commercial: 4,300 SF • Parking: (Ground Floor) 7,600 SF - 23 Spaces • Outdoor Amenity: 12,800 Sf (Rooftop) • Residential Support (Lobby, Amenity, etc.): 1,000 SF TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 17

Memorial Park PROPOSED USE - Memorial Park serves as an open space gateway into downtown Dover. Given the park currently has few amenities, features such as an amphitheater, art walk loop, and gathering spaces would be proposed within the park to promote more foot traffic, activities and events to take place. KEY : PARKING OPEN SPACE / RECREATION AREAS AMPHITHEATER / EVENT SPACE COURT YARD / GATHERING SPACE ART INSTALLATION AREAS EDUCATIONAL AREA AREA FOR POTENTIAL USE ART WALK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 18

Reactivating Vacant Spaces RIVERWALK A More Vibrant Space for Reinvention and Play The Proposed Riverwalk visual highlights three parcels located to the south of Memorial Park that are potential areas to be developed into a river-walk along Saint Jones River. The top two images shown to the right of the Proposed Riverwalk are Proposed Riverwalk of the Potomac riverfront walk, in Alexandria, VA. This river- walk takes a more natural approach, utilizing asphalt paths and bank stabilization methods. The Potomac River walk is a great precedent for Dover to propose a river-walk while limiting the amount of development and disturbance along the river edge. The parcel on the west side of the Saint Jones River could also be an opportune location for a Youth Activity Area to be ollins developed on. Youth engagement is an important facet of the Dover redevelopment plan and promotes physical activity for the younger and older crowd, alike. Incorporating art into the Youth Activity Area, by utilizing the public or hiring a local artist, would also assist in establishing an art community YOUTH ACTIVITY AREA within Dover. PROPOSED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROPOSED RIVER WALK Legend Proposed Open Channel Riverwalk Parcels Dover Parcels 1 inch = 70 feet Date Printed: December 2, 2021 File: m:\gis_data\projects\tech_mxds\ \proposed_riverwalk Department: City Public of Works Dover, GIS Delaware ¯ TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 19

Implementation begins now… ▪ Broadly publicize the plan - March 22 public presentation ▪ Evaluate DDP organizational capacity and need for development staffing to implement the plan ▪ City of Dover: • Planning/inspections process – streamlining • Design standards ▪ Consider support offered by Kent County Levy Court ▪ Dover Kent MPO priority projects • Five-point intersection (W Loockerman and State Street • Linkages to/from Bayhealth and DSU Downtown ▪ Consider State legislative requests FY 2024 • Current grants: ▪ Critical Improvements: $1.2 M grant awarded to DDP program is up and running for current property improvements ▪ Site acquisition: $200k TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 20

Placemaking Recommendations OBJECTIVES KEY STRATEGIES • Utilize City owned and DDP owned properties, as well as strategic acquisitions, to jump-start development • Develop empty lots to strengthen the “spine” of the Loockerman commercial district • Create architectural design standards to provide an easy to follow playbook for the development community INCREASE DENSITY CREATE ARCHITECTURAL TEMPLATE • Encourage strategic façade renovations • Create a pedestrian centric business district • Implement an “art walk” within the park to introduce arts and culture and engage local artists • Propose new programming within existing park space • Revitalize riverwalk to create an active play community for youth with a mix of uses GROW AMENITIES PRIORITIZE PEDESTRIANS • Provide adjacent parking to promote walkability to destinations along Loockerman • Implement plans and programs for existing buildings to upgrade infrastructure, enhance exterior facades, and make accessible and compliant TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 21

Zoning &Permitting Recommendations REWRITE/ENHANCE THE CURRENT CODE TO CREATE EXPEDITED APPROVAL FOR APPLICATIONS WHICH MEET THE DESIGN STANDARDS OF DOWNTOWN DOVER. THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS REVISED CODE OR OVERLAY WOULD ADDRESS: • Allow for appropriate building heights to spur more • A sign program that brings life to the district and dense development that doesn’t overwhelm the existing maintains a high-quality standard of materiality architecture and character • Building bonuses and relief for LEED certified buildings • Support the master plan parking strategies of centralized parking and improve multi-modal transportation options • Incentivize housing with a percentage of affordability and street conditions • Accelerated approvals for aligning design to the plan • Activate ground floors as retail and amenity spaces • Ensure cornices are aligned with the architectural design features, especially on Loockerman Street TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 22

Financial Recommendations: • Leverage private capital with public investment [through the use of private bonds or other municipal tools] • Early public investment to leverage private capital and fuel development • Finalize legislative authorization of conduit bonds, if not yet complete • Issuance of municipal bonds to support large-scale development projects • Form public-private partnerships to implement development projects consistent with the master plan • Maximize the value of the TIF District by including a percentage of Kent County and Delaware state tax and fee revenue, in addition to municipal property taxes EXAM PLES : 1. Burlington, VT TIF included state education tax which generated 3x the municipal realty tax revenue 2. Allentown, PA NIZ (Neighborhood Improvement Zone) included state corporate net income tax, local earned income tax, personal income tax, business privilege license tax and fees, amusement tax of all qualified businesses within the district TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 23

Financial Recommendations: • Hire a consultant to aggressively pursue New Market Tax Credits from multiple allocatees • Work closely with DSHA to secure Low Income Housing Tax Credits to develop mixed-income • Advocate and lobby for the extension of the Opportunity Zone investment period from 2026 to 2028 because the entire downtown area is designated OZ (Opportunity Zone) • Work with its federal political stakeholders to pursue a RAISE grant in the 2023 budget to implement transportation • Full recommendations in the master plan • Secure funding to hire a full-time DDP staff person to oversee and help drive development CROWDFUNDING Consider implementing crowdfund campaigns for each proposed development. By following federal securities regulations, developers can set up crowdfund opportunities to allow local residents over the age of 18 to invest as little as $250 into future downtown real estate development projects and earn a return on their investment. TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 24

Top Recommended Financial Incentives (SEE FULL D E S C R I P T I O N S IN A P P E N D I X OF M A S T E R PLAN) MUNICIPAL TIF NMTC CONDUIT BONDS Tax Increment New Market Tax Financing Credits LIHTC MFMRB RAISE Low Income Housing Multi-Family Rebuilding American Tax Credits Mortgage Revenue Infrastructure with Bonds Sustainability and Equity TAP HTC DDD Transportation State and Federal Downtown Dover Alternatives Program Historic Tax Credits Development District TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPI TAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 25

Thank You AND SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS: CITY OF DOVER COUNCIL, DELAWARE STATE KENT COUNTY LEVY DOWNTOWN DOVER MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER LEGISLATURE COURT COMMISSIONERS PARTNERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATOR TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN DOVER: CAPITAL CITY 2030 | Master Plan for Downtown Dover | Dover, DE | Downtown Dover Partnership 30