DDP Economic Vitality Packet - Revised
DDP Economic Development and Restructuring Committee. 22 oktòb 2024.
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Paj 1
Economic Vitality Committee Meeting
October 22, 2024
3:00 p.m.
Zoom (only)
AGENDA
https://zoom.us/j/97320718187
Meeting ID: 973 2071 8187
Welcome
Agenda
Minutes (May 2024)
Public comments
Updates on Master Plan
• Multi-Modal Transportation Hub between S. Bradford & S. Governor’s Ave.
• DDP Federal Appropriations funding request
• Dover Kent MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)
Updates from working groups
1. Critical Improvements
• Status of projects round 1
• Status of round 2, now open
2. Site Readiness
• 680-684 Forest Ave. (West End)
• 120 S. Governor’s Ave
• Other
3. Unlock the Block (REAP, Revolving Loan Fund)
• Revolving loan, retention, recruitment and expansion strategies
4. Marketing Downtown Dover
• Mosaic
• Higher Ground Creative
Next EV meeting (determine)–
Other business
Adjournment
Next scheduled meeting – November 13 @ 7:30 a.m. via Zoom
Agenda items as listed may not be considered in sequence. Pursuant to 29 DEL. C.
10004(e)(2), this agenda is subject to change to include the addition or deletion of
items, including executive sessions, which arise at the time of the meeting.
Paj 2
Economic Vitality Committee Meeting
October 22, 2024
3:00 p.m.
Zoom (only)
Diane Laird is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: DDP Economic Vitality
Time: Oct 22, 2024 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97320718187
Meeting ID: 973 2071 8187
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Paj 3
Economic Vitality Committee Meeting
May 15, 2023
7:30 a.m. at CenDel Foundation
Attendance: John Van Gorp, Jonathan Street, Dave Hugg, Mike Harrington
Staff: Diane Laird, Ken Anderson, Tina Bradbury, Jordan Resh
Street opened the meeting at 7:36 a.m.
DH motioned to approve the agenda. JVG seconded. Unanimous approval.
JVG motioned to approve the minutes. DH seconded. Unanimous approval.
No public comments.
UPDATES ON MASTER PLAN
120 S. Governors Ave
A development agreement is in place, but we are planning to terminate and restart the process. The
agreement was established for a LIHTC grant application in April, but the application was not submitted
in time. A meeting is scheduled with a HUD representative to discuss future options.
JS asked if the mixed income housing model is working in other places. DL responded that the
apartments will be 30 low-income units, 94 workforce housing, and ~25 market rate. She added that
Mosaic Development Partners have implemented this housing opportunity elsewhere and that it
supports the philosophy of equity in development.
Total capital stack for property is $75M. The LIHTC application was for ~5% of the project, and the
regional advisor indicated that another program may help access some of these funds (~4%).
JS asked if a specific percentage of low-income housing is required for the grants. Staff answered yes that
many grants have associated terms, but there are no specific requirements at this time.
JS asked if the low-income/LIHTC units can be transitioned to market rate in time, and DL responded that
she would consult Mosaic for the answer.
MH indicated that as a landlord, he would not want to be restricted to leasing to only subsidized
housing, but that he has experienced quality tenants on subsidized leases (approx. 10% of units.)
$25M in funding was proposed by the Governor, with $5M in Bond Bill that will need to be approved.
$1.8M of funding is for utility infrastructure in the City of Dover. DH noted that the funding will not be
leftover to contribute to the Loockerman Design study outcomes (reconfiguring the street after
construction).
The Governor’s funding from ARPA is guaranteed and will go to the multi-modal transportation hub and
overflow will go to pre-development costs at 120. ARPA funds will need to be spent before the end of
2026. DL noted that the project does not need to be completed for ARPA funds, but pre-development
does. DH noted that the grants have associated reporting requirements, and asked if the staff has the
capacity to manage these projects. DH suggested checking if a percentage of ARPA funding can be used
for administrative costs.
Economic Vitality Committee 3/20/24
Downtown Dover Partnership
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Paj 4
Economic Vitality Committee Meeting
May 15, 2023
7:30 a.m. at CenDel Foundation
DL shared that squatters have broken into the former Interfaith site several times, and that significant
funding has gone towards securing the project sites. KA suggested demolishing the buildings as soon as
possible and adding security cameras.
DDP Federal Appropriations funding request: $5M is being requested from Bond Bill.
Dover Kent MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)
Today is the final day of the charrette, with an open house 11-1:30 and an open house and presentation
from 5-6:30 p.m., which will include an updated report based on the outcomes of the charrettes. The
presentations propose recommended changes to fall in line with the master plan.
DH asked how to improve merchant participation, as only two Loockerman St. business owners
attended. Staff responded that extensive digital and in-person outreach, as well as public media/press
was released, and the merchants were made aware but did not attend for other reasons.
DL encouraged everyone to stop by and provide their comments and concerns to the MPO today.
CRITICAL IMPROVEMENTS
DL shared that funding is focused this round on Critical Improvements (ADA, Life Safety, and Commercial
Kitchens), instead of entire projects with only parts that qualify.
DL announced that it is unlikely that 1 W. Loockerman is moving forward with renovations, which will
open their funding to be awarded to other projects. KA shared that Kim Adams’ properties are looking
promising.
DL shared that after this round, $7M in funding for critical improvements will be administered.
DL shared that other than 1 W. Loockerman, projects are moving forward.
SITE READINESS
ITB (680-684) Forest Ave.
KA shared that a contractor and notice to proceed are in place. He added that permits with the city need
to be resolved and then demolition can begin.
TB shared that Chesapeake Utilities uses an automated system and she has had difficulty communicating
with representatives. Demolition could take place within 2 weeks. JS recommended not placing a fence
on the demolished property to save costs.
148-150 Bradford St.
148 S. Bradford was appraised for $4.14 and is scheduled for closing May 24, but will likely be delayed.
An asbestos survey is being conducted and the water tank is being removed through a DNREC grant.
150 S. Bradford is awaiting appraisal and is progressing towards site readiness for demolition.
KA shared that a presentation would take place tomorrow with the Historic Commission Demolition
Review for the two properties.
Economic Vitality Committee 3/20/24
Downtown Dover Partnership
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Paj 5
Economic Vitality Committee Meeting
May 15, 2023
7:30 a.m. at CenDel Foundation
UNLOCK THE BLOCK
DL shared that a Grant in Aid application was submitted, and an answer will be received in a couple
months.
NEXT MEETING
June 19 is Juneteenth, so the next meeting will be scheduled for July.
OTHER BUSINESS
JS suggested that stones can be placed at 680-684 Forest Ave. to maintain the property, instead of a
fence or mowing the grass.
TB shared that a property owner on the west end is meeting with her to discuss redevelopment and/or
property acquisition. DL noted that the Economic Vitality Committee’s input is crucial in making
recommendations for these projects.
DL asked, regarding the multi-modal site and ARPA, from conversations with Jed Hatfield, if they should
consider adding a cell tower onto the project, as it is recommended by ARPA. KA noted that cell towers
and expanding broadband are separate. JS offered to discuss further with Jed the options to consider. DL
noted health concerns due to proximity to a tower and the unfavorable appearance.
JS shared that he is moving and if the meeting in June is cancelled, this may be his last meeting.
MH shared that he is putting 317 S. Governors (single family house) on the market for $250,000.
ADJOURNMENT
MH motioned to adjourn. JVG seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 a.m.
Next Meeting – TBD
Economic Vitality Committee 3/20/24
Downtown Dover Partnership
Page 3
Paj 6
DDP 1-23-24 Board Meeting
Item 9 on the Agenda
Critical Improvements Program - Update and Recommendations
i. FY 23 Funds: Round One Update: ($1,076,894 expended/allocated) ($1.2M target)
Completed projects, funds dispersed: ($430,400)
• 108 W. Loockerman St., Doher Ferris (Coney Island Grille), $50,000 (Legacy Project)
• 92 N. West St., Donny Legans (Rail Haus) $300,000
• 140 S. State St., Event Horizons (Grey Fox) $42,900 (plus $5,000 DDP Façade Improvement
Grant)
• 25 W. Loockerman, Little Plan B (Theresa Owens) (Stonerail Market), $37,500 (Legacy Project)
Projects Underway/Funds Allocated: ($672,425)
• 1 W. Loockerman St., J & G Holdings (Joe Petrosky) $300,000 (Working closely with prospect.)
• Loockerman Suites, LLC (Kim Adams) (Total three project $300,000) Outlined below:
o 221 W. Loockerman St., 184,124 (project underway)
o 225 W. Loockerman St. $59,522 (project underway)
o 215 W. Loockerman St. $56,354 (funds set aside, project underway)
• 321 W. Loockerman St., Otis Brooks (snack shop/apts.) $72,425 (project pending, exploring
new proposal and loan)
Projects withdrawn: (-$25,931)
• 123 & 125 W. Loockerman St., (Chris Raubaucher) $17,996
• 132 & 134 w. Loockerman St. Diana Welch and Ryan Weber (Golden Fleece) $7,935
ii. FY 24 Funds: Second round recommendations: ($654,062 to date) ($675,000 target, anticipate
will exceed target number by +/- $500k, yet to be determined)
Recommending the following projects for allocation of CIP funds (for critical improvements only)
pending documents and/or targeted completion metrics for allocations and/or dispersement):
• 8 W. Loockerman St., Shahzeb Uppal, Former Citizen’s Bank, (multiple commercial entities as
tenants) $146,900
• 211 W. Loockerman St., Janaid Kareem (second floor apt.), $15,000
• 55 E. Loockerman St., Mike Glick and partners, The Old Post (former post office) $300,000
• 9 E. Loockerman St. Central Dover Offices, Inc. Nine East Taphouse (Former Frazier’s) $49,700
• 8 The Green, Downtown Red Carpet Holdings, LLC, (corporate entity with goal of adding new
employees/residents to downtown Dover/Dover location), not to exceed $92,462
• 145 S. New St., Dover Holdings, LLC (Derrick Scott), four new apartments, critical
improvements; recommend $50,000 as “legacy project.”
At least three additional projects are presently under consideration. (+/- $350k-500k projected
allocation)