05-08-19 DDP Design Committee Packet

Design Committee Meeting AGENDA Wednesday May 8, 2019 12:00 p.m. CenDel Conference Room  Welcome/Call to order  Roll Call  Approval of Minutes  New Business  Façade Grant Applications  Photographic Record  Christmas Lights  Old Business  Mitten & Winters Mural – Update  Harrington Mural - Update  Public Comments  Adjournment Next Meeting Date: 06/12/2019 The Design Committee will work to improve the appearance of the downtown Dover area and to educate the public and private sector about good design principles.

DESIGN COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, April 10, 2019 – 12:00-1:00 pm CEN DEL Foundation Building Minutes I. Welcome/Call to order- Kristin Pleasanton, Committee Chair II. Roll call: Kristin Pleasanton, Tricia Arndt, Carrie Hart, Will Grimes, Dawn Melson, Chazz Salkin (guest) Absent: Will Grimes, Stephanie Adams III. Approval of Minutes- Tricia, seconded by Carrie IV. New Business Community member Chazz Salkin presented ideas about downtown clean-up needs and consideration of an assessment. He has observed that over 40 years, downtown Dover has become “shabbier” in terms of cleanliness and deferred maintenance conditions. Chazz was with DE State Parks for nearly 40 years and has lots of skill/experience with addressing these kinds of projects. He walks daily, sees lots of improvements, but the fabric of Dover is in a state of decline. The DDP and specifically, Design Committee, could have a prominent role in addressing these kinds of issues by way of assessment, and development of a strategy and implementation plan that would include key partners. Some of these partners would include, but not be limited to, the State of Delaware, City of Dover, property and business owners, contractors and volunteers. 1. Capital improvements (on both vacant buildings and occupied buildings) 2. Maintenance (daily and deferred) is lacking on many spaces. 3. Accessibility and improvements in the public way, but not all kept up. 4. Safety issues – sidewalks heaving, for instance.  Resources are lacking in terms of funds and personnel.  A systematic approach is needed for clean-up and improvement.  Façade improvements could include maintenance improvements.  The City of Dover needs to be integrally involved. Proposed Strategy:

 Issues/opportunities data base to inventory good/bad/needs/opportunities; grouping needs to gain better value in correcting.  Build a program so that the community is invested. Business owners washing their windows and sweeping their sidewalks. How do we begin to program to address these kinds of maintenance issues?  Publicizing wins and progress is critical.  Volunteer help: “Better Impact” app/program could be explored for volunteer help in implementation. Volunteers get their credit for the work.  Based on the State Parks model, the City should have a volunteer program or infrastructure to address maintenance issues and implementation of program to fix.  Suggest to sit down with City or be present at City Council to present the needs for “clean-up program” and a discussion of capacity. o Sidewalks, flowers, wires, yellow curb painting, sweeping, etc. are a few of the areas in which the City could/should take a lead.  Friends of Old Dover, Sprig and Twig, Master Gardeners… could they be partners? What is the status of this and other organizations that may not be as active as they were previously? Could the City Grounds Division, part of Dept. of Public Works, come into play?  Sensitive, creative approach needed, with accountability.  Student groups at Wesley and/or other organizations may prove helpful. Potential two next steps: 1. How to approach assessment? Diane research templates. 2. As we approach creation of an assessment tool/template, identify key organizations, agencies and their ability, willingness, capacity to become engaged, and take ownership of portions of the project. State representative to contact? Mike Svaby of Facilities Management? Diane and Chazz will seek a meeting with Mike Svaby within the next few weeks. V. Old Business a. Mural at Mitten and Winters being edited to remove the heron from the side of the building (alongside Puffsters) and place it at the rear entry door. Main mural to be installed by June. Large schools arts group came on First Friday to paint the mural, and it is coming along nicely. b. Second proposal for mural on Harrington’s building – post card image. The committee liked the image and felt it would work better on the Cendel building> Also, considering the approaching NBBF deadline for the completion and reporting on the arts project in order for the DDP to be reimbursed, it would be a more expedient process, and a simpler application of the mural onto the Cendel building. Motion to proceed with mural on Cendel building, if approved by Cendel Board. Tricia made motion, Carrie seconded, unanimously approved. September installation for both

is expected, per Josh Nobiling, who is providing the arts leadership (design and implementation) in the project. VI. Adjournment 1:50 p.m.