April 21, 2021 Packet

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 21, 2021 7:30 a.m. via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96889574037 Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Welcome & introductions Agenda Minutes (March 2021) Public comments Executive Session • Item 1 • Item 2 • Item 3 Business Retention • USDA grant application submitted (Revolving Loan Fund) Business Recruitment • DE Black Chamber of Commerce • Unlock the Block Status: 33 West Loockerman; 204 W. Loockerman • 25 W. Loockerman (Theresa Owens) • 108 W. Loockerman (Doug and Josh Ferris) • 147 W. New Street (Otis Brooks) • 331 W. Loockerman (Grooms Kings remodel) Downtown Dover Master Plan – Federal Appropriations request (Community Project Funding) Parking committee update Workplan Fiscal Year 2022 Other business Adjournment Next meeting date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Executive Session may be held at discretion of the Chair, Economic Vitality & Development Committee.

Topic: DDP Economic Vitality Time: Feb 17, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Third Wed, until Jul 21, 2021, 6 occurrence(s) Apr 21, 2021 07:30 AM May 19, 2021 07:30 AM Jun 16, 2021 07:30 AM Jul 21, 2021 07:30 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96889574037 Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJIlf- CtqT8qGdPYPSvlBaU06iCsj2J66F4y/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCupjMjH9ORsBqARow AGoqgXe_wtilfjadtpS_WFSxxYzamYOthIbgtOo6G One tap mobile +13017158592,,96889574037# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,96889574037# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aWbGAN6HI

DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP ECONOMIC VITALITY & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES March 17, 2021 – Online Zoom Meeting DRAFT MEETING OPEN: Approximately 7:30 a.m. via Zoom. ATTENDANCE: Jonathan Street (chair), John Van Gorp, Dave Hugg, Charlie Rodriguez, Kim Adams, Mike Harrington, Joe McDaniel STAFF: Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird COMMITTEE CHAIRS, PRESENTERS AND OTHER ATTENDEES: Katie from Delaware Business Times, Todd Stonesifer AGENDA AND MEETING MINUTES (FEBRUARY 2021 MEETING): Jonathan opened the meeting and asked for additions or deletions to agenda. Diane made a correction that the next meeting will be April 21st and not March 17th, Motion to accept agenda was made by Mike Harrington, seconded by John Van Gorp; carried unanimously. Motion to approve minutes was made by Dave Hugg, seconded by Mike Harrington, and carried unanimously. Public Comments: None Executive Session: Upon completion of Executive Session discussion, motion was made by Mike Harrington to proceed make recommendation to the DDP board of directors to purchase property discussed in Item #2, seconded by John Van Gorp; unanimous agreement. Business Retention: USDA Grant Applications Diane explained that the City’s new grant person, Lisa Chase, provided information about USDA Grants for which DDP May be eligible: the first to create a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to help small businesses, and the second, a gift card program to support and promote Downtown merchants. They will proceed with the Revolving Loan Fund grant request, is due at the end of the month. Diane believes there is very good chance of securing the grant. While the grant would be for $30,000, a DDP match will create a larger RLF pool and will score more points on the application. Diane recommended that the committee consider providing a $5,000 match. Tina added that there would be specific guidelines, similar to those used for Rebel Cove, to follow a plan of zero-interest loan, minimal interest loan, or provide a grant in certain situations. The RLF would provide the DDP the flexibility to use that pool of money for recruitment and retention measures. DDP would administer the grant and provide funds at DDP’s discretion within the guidelines that the DDP will establish. Tina’s recommendation was the committee to consider a $5,000 grant as a match to a $30,000 for a total $35,000 grant. DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: March 17, 2021 1

John Van Gorp moved to approve submission of an application and $5,000 matching EV committee funds; Mike Harrington seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Executive Session Motion: Mike Harrington made a motion to purchase the property discussed in item two of Executive Session. John Van Gorp second and motion carried. Business Recruitment: DE Black Chamber of Commerce: Diane shared that the DE Black Chamber of Commerce is a new organization, not to be confused with the Delmarva Black Chamber, and currently housed in Middletown. They are up and running and have met with the Governor and he would like them to have a presence in Dover. Mike Harrington showed them two spaces - above 33 West and the former Duck Creek printing space, adjacent to the DDP parking space in Cendel. DEBCC representatives are very excited about both spaces - particularly former-Duck Creek due to the amount and potential use of space. They have applied for funds from Nemours and other organizations for operations and opening a space in Dover. Once they hear back on the funds, they will reach back out to Mike. All indications are they would like to come to downtown Dover. Pineapple Kale: Diane advised they are working with these start-up business owners who are developing a business plan and we hope to hear back in the next 6 to 8 months. Room 228: The building at 228 Loockerman (former 69 Flavors) has been sold to three business partners who have since signed a lease with a group that would like Room 228 (the name of the business) to be a lounge. Tina advised them in depth about all the requirements and the work ahead to open. Dave Hugg asked if the building had residential space above. Tina confirmed that there is, but they were not looking to continue the residential. Instead, they want to use it as a rooftop lounge. Kim asked for clarification as to whether they were discussing a club. Yes, this would be a club. Discussion followed on what type of ordinances or regulations could be used to discourage this type of activity which would not be conducive to neighboring businesses and the vision for downtown. Dave clarified that it was a permitted use that unless we own the building, we cannot say yes or no to a business. Tina also clarified that whether or not a business meets DDP vision for downtown, they have to treat each business the same. Tina shared the DDP vision with the owners when they first bought the property and they seemed to share the same vision. For now, we will need to let it play out. Status: 33 West Loockerman; Tina advised Rebel Cove owners regarding ABC; renovations are being completed inside. They are getting all of their licenses and approvals in place, but they are being held up at the Board of Health as it is backlogged. In the meantime, Tina is working with them to use the food truck for at least an outdoor opening in April. They are ready to open but the Board of Health is holding up liquor licenses. Unlock the Block initiative - 204 W. Loockerman: Diane said the Artisan Market is all in very good shape with at least 20 vendors signed on, anticipating mid-spring opening. State Planning Office Coordination (OSPC) - DDD website update/launch of Dover: Diane provided an overview of the OSPC-hosted site and how it is a “one-stop shop” for investors DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: March 17, 2021 2

seeking a downtown Dover property. It also shows the GIS Storyboard of all past projects and pipeline projects. Discussion On Current Vacancies: HUBZone properties: At the last meeting, Kim Adams showed that the city’s HUB Zones will get smaller at the end of 2021. Kim suggested we add HUB Zones to the downtown vacancy parcel map to identify properties/businesses located in these designated sections. Although there are not many in Dover, people are looking for that type of space. Kim provided an overview of SBA’s HUB Zone and its benefits. The program is intended to fuel small business growth in historically underutilized areas. Businesses located in a HUB Zone can be certified as such if their business is 51-percent owned by a US citizen and 35% of their employees are living within a HUB Zone. If Dover’s zone gets smaller, then it becomes very hard to maintain a HUBZone status. This area needs housing as well. The employee does not have to live the HUBZone in which he/she works. The benefits are that the federal government limits competition for certain contracts to HUB Zone-certified businesses and considers those businesses in full and open competition. The boundary is to Rt 13, Division, and S. Governor Ave. Dave Hugg asked if there is anything we can do to advocate to maintain the current HUBZone. It is based on census tracts and the census tracts disappearing are those that have the housing. Updates to parcel map, including HUB Zones in the downtown district high priority target area: Diane and John updated the group on the parcel map tool that facilitates marketing and prospecting. This map will be evolutionary, updated monthly. Parking Committee Update: There is a parking survey open, it is on the website, and DDP has had a good response rate. Diane and Todd stressed the importance of the message that parking meters are only part of a comprehensive plan. There will be another Parking Committee meeting this today at noon. Other Business: Jonathan explained that Becker Morgan took through council the possibility of land use change and rezoning of the old Southern place property, located on the Northwest corner of the Downtown Development District, for a possible eating establishment (an outdoor beer garden type of establishment). The rezoning to accommodate the establishment was recently approved by council, and the business will be moving on to the next step which will be to develop a site plan and come up with a plan for the construction. It is probably a year out, but they will be moving forward. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Mike Harrington and seconded by John Van Gorp; it was unanimously approved, and meeting adjourned around 9:15. Next meeting date: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 KH/DL DDP Economic Vitality committee meeting minutes: March 17, 2021 3