DDP Board Meeting Packet 3-26-2025
Downtown Dover Partnership Board. 26 mas 2025.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7:30 a.m.
City of Dover Conference Room
AGENDA
1. Welcome
2. Agenda
3. Minutes (February meeting)
4. Police Report
5. Executive Committee/Staff Updates
6. Executive Session
7. Property Updates
i. 136 W. Loockerman St.
ii. 22-24 W. Loockerman St.
8. Downtown Dover Master Plan Priorities
i. Priority Projects Site-Readiness
▪ 148 S. Bradford St.
▪ 150 S. Bradford St.
▪ 105 & 115 S. New St.
ii. Mobility Center project updates
▪ Open House – March 25 (120 S. Governor’s Ave. mixed-use and other updates)
▪ Historic District Commission (April 2025)
▪ Ground Breaking: Targeting May 2025
9. Legislative Updates
10. Other Business
11. Board member updates
12. Public Comment
13. Adjourn
Upcoming DDP board meeting:
April 23, 2025
City of Dover Conference Room
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.
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Board Meeting
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BOARD MEETING MINUTES
ATTENDANCE: Sarah Keifer, Donny Legans, Robin Christiansen, Terrell Holmes, John Van Gorp, Tricia Arndt,
Todd Stonesifer, Dave Hugg, Sharon Duca, Jessica Jackson, Fred Neil
STAFF: Ken Anderson, Diane Laird, Morgan Russum
ABSENT: Pete Bradley, Trey Paradee, Will Grimes, Kim Adams, Stacy Downing, Sarah Keifer, Codi Canasa,
Linda Parkowski
CALL TO ORDER: Todd Stonesifer opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m.
AGENDA - Motion duly made and unanimously approved to accept agenda.
MINUTES (1/22/25 meeting) – January minutes did not list Terrell Holmes as present. This correction will be
made by Morgan. Motion duly made and unanimously approved to accept minutes as corrected.
POLICE REPORT:
Mayor Christiansen reported that the city-wide Quality of Life initiative focusing on common crimes
affecting city life is ongoing. It is costly, but is continuing to make the downtown area safer. The initiative
will continue as long as there are funds to support it.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/STAFF UPDATES:
i. Diane reported that Bill Winters (Mitten & Winters, LLP) is overseeing the ARPA account/funds.
The 1st quarter ARPA audit has been submitted.
Ken reported that the release of EPA requires pre-certification and this process has been completed.
Diane provided copies of updated DDP Accounting Policies & Procedures. The updated document is
now suitable for both federal grants.
John VanGorp motioned to approve the updates Policies & Procedures. Jessica Jackson seconded
the motion. Motion was unanimously approved.
ii. Diane reported that the DDP is seeking an accounting firm to transition away from the City of Dover
Finance Dept. Six accounting firms had been invited to submit bids. These bids were narrowed down
to one firm – Faw Casson, whose bid of $55,000 was reviewed and approved by the Executive
Committee.
Jessica Jackson motioned to approve Faw Casson bid. John VanGorp seconded the motion. Motion
was unanimously approved.
iii. Diane reported that the Critical Improvements Program has 10 applicants currently awaiting final
approval. All applicants are required to meet with the City of Dover Planner. DDP has contracted
with the Rossi Group to take over for the City’s Planning Office as they navigate staffing issues.
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Fred Neil motioned to approve the contract with the Rossi Group. Tricia Arndt seconded the motion.
Robin Christiansen opposed. Motion was approved.
iv. Diane is working with the City’s Engineering & Planning Office to include DDP designs in the
Loockerman St. improvements. This projected to estimated to cost ~$145k. The Bond bill will cover
~$45k with the remaining ~$100k to come from interest from Bond funds.
Fred Neil motioned to approve the plans for the Loockerman St. improvements. Sharon Duca
seconded the motion. Robin Christiansen abstained. Motion was approved.
v. Diane presented the 2024 Annual DDP report at the February 10, 2025 City Council meeting. An
overview of the report was given to the Board.
Tricia Arndt motioned to approve the Annual Report. Jessica Jackson seconded the motion. Motion
was unanimously approved.
DOWNTOWN DOVER MASTER PLAN PRIORITIES:
Ken provided an update on Priority Projects Properties:
1. The demolition of 148 S. Bradford St. has been completed.
2. Demolition of 150 S. Bradford St. is set to begin in mid-March.
3. In mid-February, Dover PD assisted with the removal of several homeless individuals from the
West End property. DDP hired Priority Services to clean up the property.
Diane shared updates on the progress of the Mobility Center and 120 S. Governors Ave. projects:
1. The site plan and design concept for the Mobility Center have been approved.
2. Mosaic updated the design for 120 S. Governor’s Ave. It will have 5 stories – to better reflect
the Master Plan. They have also re-imagined a more urban design plan for the façade.
3. The 120 S. Governor’s project will be presented to the Historic Commission in March.
4. DDP will host an open house in March.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES - NONE
OTHER BUSINESS – NONE
BOARD MEMBER UPDATES:
• Donnie: Rail Haus has several events planned for March, including a Black History celebration, a
Women’s History Celebration, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration/bar crawl.
• Mayor Christiansen: The City will be hosting a Bag Piper in front of City Hall on March 17th at
12:00 PM.
• Terell: There are three upcoming shows at the Schwartz Center.
• Jessica: M&T Foundation has opened their grant season. They are also offering free one-hour
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fraud/financial literacy training seminars.
• John: KGH is working on a new expansion project. They hope to announce the project in March or
April.
• Sharon: The City has several interviews scheduled to address staffing shortages.
• Fred: Residents are upset that there will be no St. Patrick’s Day parade. He hopes someone will be
able to plan a parade for next year.
PUBLIC COMMENT - NONE
MEETING ADJOURNED: Mayor Christiansen motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilwoman Arndt
seconded the motion. Motion was unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 AM.
MR
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