DDP Design Committee Packet

Design Committee Meeting April 10, 2024 Zoom: (over) AGENDA • Welcome & New Member Introductions • Volunteer to Take Minutes • Approval of Agenda • Approval of Minutes (March 2024) • Biggs Update • Art League Update • Façade Grant General Status and Application(s)-Tina • Façade Grant Guidelines/Program Funding Discussion-Michael Weeks • Art Grant-Diane • Public Comment • Adjourn Next Meeting: 5/8/24 (Zoom) The Design Committee encourages and enables improvements to buildings and enhancements to the downtown Dover business district through grant/incentive programs, public art, aesthetic amenities, and education on appropriate design principles to promote value of historic and cultural resources.

Design Committee Meeting April 10, 2024 Zoom: (over) Design Committee Meeting Tina Bradbury is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: DDP Design Committee Monthly Meeting Time: Apr 10, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Second Wed, 9 occurrence(s) Apr 10, 2024 12:00 PM May 8, 2024 12:00 PM Jun 12, 2024 12:00 PM Jul 10, 2024 12:00 PM Aug 14, 2024 12:00 PM Sep 11, 2024 12:00 PM Oct 9, 2024 12:00 PM Nov 13, 2024 12:00 PM Dec 11, 2024 12:00 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYtf-6upj4iH9IltSwXYnG4bB2XRwVc_SEF/ics?icsToken=98tyKu- GqrjMtHNyQuByBRpwQAoqgKO7xiCVHgvp0kAvWFBhqbCSiNMAQCoBoJtvv Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82087685856?pwd=kscNEndyjJtW7Tt2tkXfmbxONxR9fQ.1 Meeting ID: 820 8768 5856 Passcode: 959806 --- One tap mobile +13017158592,,82087685856#,,,,*959806# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,82087685856#,,,,*959806# US --- Dial by your location • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 360 209 5623 US • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) Meeting ID: 820 8768 5856 Passcode: 959806 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/k5WFgUtyb The Design Committee encourages and enables improvements to buildings and enhancements to the downtown Dover business district through grant/incentive programs, public art, aesthetic amenities, and education on appropriate design principles to promote value of historic and cultural resources.

Design Committee 3-13-24 Zoom MINUTES ATTENDANCE: Dawn Melson-Williams, Jennifer Gunther, Michael Weeks, Roger Ridgeway, Reginald Daniel STAFF: Jordan Resh, Diane Laird, Tina Bradbury CALL TO ORDER Bradbury called the meeting to order at 12:09 p.m. VOLUNTEER Resh offered to take minutes. AGENDA Melson-Williams motioned to approve the agenda. The motion was approved by consensus. MINUTES Melson-Williams motioned to approve the minutes from November 2023. The motion was approved by consensus. BIGGS UPDATE Bradbury shared that Michael Dudich, former director of the Biggs Museum, has resigned with Marcia DeWitt as the interim director. Laird added that she met with DeWitt a few weeks ago, noting her high energy, support of downtown, and excitement to be involved with Paint Dover! Bradbury shared that Rebecca Raubacher, whose family is heavily involved with downtown Dover, is having a featured gallery exhibition at the Biggs opening Thursday evening. DAL UPDATE Resh shared that DAL’s Spring class registration has opened and winter programming is taking place. She added that the ARPA funded free summer camps will continue for next summer and to look out for more information on the Dover Art League and Kent County Parks & Recreation websites. Resh offered to accept questions as well to ask leadership for answers to. Bradbury added that the recent window displays have been high quality and vibrant. FAÇADE GRANT GENERAL STATUS AND APPLICATION(S) Bradbury shared that the funding for the façade grant has changed, leading to the update on the website: “Façade Improvement and Architectural Grant Funds have been depleted for FY Design Committee 3/13/24. Downtown Dover Partnership DRAFT 1

Design Committee 3-13-24 Zoom 24, therefore grant applications are not being taken at this time. While DDP cannot promise that new funding will be available on July 1, 2024, you may check in after July 1, 2024, by emailing info@downtowndoverpartnership.com to find out if new funds are available.” Bradbury shared that a façade application came in for Colonial Investment and Management Co. at 32 W. Loockerman St, asking for funding for planters for aesthetic and safety purposes. She added that she will confirm final pricing and reach out to Mayor Christiansen to see if the city could provide funding as well, as this area was discussed previously for safety concerns. She noted that the price of four planters (each) will exceed the maximum funding available. Melson-Williams suggested providing a diagram to better understand where the planters will be located and how the brick will be cut/if it will be cut. Gunther asked for more information about the safety concerns presented at this site. Bradbury responded that people loiter on the steps and have disrupted businesses and vandalized the windows while on the steps. Bradbury asked if more information, such as final costs and images are provided, if voting can take place virtually before the next meeting in April. Melson-Williams asked for a diagram to be provided as well so that a decision can be made. Laird suggested a wide planter is considered in place of planters that go into the existing brick. Laird noted that the planters presented are over 300 lbs. Laird suggested delaying the discussion until more information is collected and additional options are considered. Bradbury noted that upkeep may fall onto the city and suggested confirming that they are equipped to manage the proposed planters. Ridgeway suggested ensuring that the planters have a point of drainage as those are the designs they are already familiar with. Melson-Williams noted that if planters are being set on the steps, they do not require a permit to install them, but if the planters are cutting into the brick, they will require a permit from the city. She added that information about the maintenance schedule should be provided as well, such as how often flowers will be planted. Bradbury suggested delaying the conversation for better quotes, diagrams, and measurements. When the information is gathered the conversation can resume either virtually or at the next meeting. FAÇADE GRANT GUIDELINES/PROGRAM FUNDING DISCUSSION Weeks had connection issues and was unable to communicate during the meeting. Bradbury asked Weeks to provide a follow up via email that will be shared with the committee. FAÇADE APPLICATION CONTINUED Design Committee 3/13/24. Downtown Dover Partnership DRAFT 2

Design Committee 3-13-24 Zoom Laird provided a long row of planter styles that may be effective. Melson-Williams noted that these planters are more cost effective. Bradbury added that the planters have been presented previously, but they have been persistent about wanting to have the planters surrounded by bricks. Bradbury added that they received a quote previously for these planters, and the price was still high and that they were considered that people would sit on the planters. Melson- Williams reiterated that a sketch/diagram is required to understand the concept fully, such as where the walls/planters/bricks will go. HOLIDAY DECORATION (SPRING) UPDATE Melson-Williams shared that she saw banners being installed this morning. Ridgeway shared that they need to trim a few trees but have cleaned up from the holidays. He added that the flowers are starting at the Greenhouse and will be added to the corner baskets once ready. He added that the lights are all green and after St. Patrick’s Day will turn all white. Bradbury offered to continue the conversation about remote changing lights to replace the existing ones. Ridgeway shared that new planters are being purchased and will be installed to replace existing decorations. Bradbury added that they discussed reducing the number of flower baskets, to highlight the art banners, and then having a densely full flower basket at the corners to offset the reduction of planters overall. Ridgeway shared that the planters will be up in 2-3 weeks. GRANTS Laird shared that DDP applied for the ArtsHERE grant, which would create a Creative Network/strategy of public art under a consultant’s help. DDP was not awarded the grant as it was highly competitive and primarily for arts organizations. Laird added that DDP will consider the NEA Grant “Challenge America” for $10,000 as the next opportunity to pursue. Gunther noted that the NEA grants aim to award different areas, noting that the Biggs and DIAE have been awarded previously. Resh shared that the application closes around April 22. Gunther noted that the funding aims to “build capacity” for the arts. Gunther asked if an NEA Our Town Grant is being considered for August. She added that it is unlikely that both grants will be awarded, but she likes the idea of Challenge America to build the infrastructure necessary to then apply for NEA Our Town. She added that she would not recommend applying to both grants in the same year, noting that it will extend the timeline of receiving an Our Town grant. She noted that Our Town is a much larger grant award and can be spent over a longer period. Gunther shared that the Challenge American grant closes April 30, with the full application closing May 16 with an announcement in October. Gunther added that the Our Town grant is due in August with an announcement in April. Design Committee 3/13/24. Downtown Dover Partnership DRAFT 3

Design Committee 3-13-24 Zoom Gunther asked if DDP has a SAM number, and Laird shared that there have been challenges adjusting the SAM number, so it is underway but not ready. Gunther shared that she experienced difficulties as well, but eventually had success registering. FAÇADE GRANT GUIDELINES CONTINUED Laird read Weeks’ update via email: “I believe specifying a max cap for signage of 25% of the total request not to exceed $500 is a reasonable change to ensure that the majority of funds are going to permanent improvements while not discouraging businesses from making signage improvements.” Melson-Williams noted that funding has previously been awarded for signage for businesses that do not last long. Laird added that a minimal amount of coverage provides a welcoming response to Dover but recognizes that turnaround is likely as well. Melson-Williams suggested reviewing the FY25 Façade Grant budget to better understand what projects can be covered with the budget before restricting the amounts. Laird suggested that it is considered separating the amount allocated within the facade grant for 1) just signage and for 2) other façade improvements to better control how the funding is spent. PUBLIC COMMENT None. ADJOURNMENT Melson-Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting at 1:01 p.m. The meeting adjourned by consensus. Design Committee 3/13/24. Downtown Dover Partnership DRAFT 4