Downtown Dover Partnership Special Board Meeting Packet

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Special Meeting Monday, August 12, 2024 1:30 - 3 p.m.* City of Dover Public Library – First Floor Community Meeting Room AGENDA *Board members are invited to arrive as early as 1:15; meeting will officially begin at 1:30. 1. Welcome 2. Agenda 3. Minutes (June) 4. Presentations • 1:35-2:05 Downtown Dover Pathways/Loockerman Street Design – Presented by Marilyn Smith, Executive Director Dover Kent MPO and Jeff Riegner, Senior Principal Engineer for Kittelson & Associates, Inc. VOTE  https://doverkentmpo.delaware.gov/downtown-dover-pathways- loockerman-street-design/ • 2:15-2:50 S. Bradford/S. Governor’s Mobility Center Project - Jed Hatfield, President of Colonial Parking Inc., J.D. Bartlett, Operations Manager of EDiS, and Leslie Smallwood, Principle, Mosaic Development Partners will present progress of the Mobility Center project to date and discuss the Design Build agreement for services. 5. Other Business 6. Public Comment 7. Adjourn Next DDP board meeting: September 25, 7:30 a.m. 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. Downtown Dover Partnership – Special Board Meeting Agenda – August 12, 2024

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room BOARD MEETING MINUTES ATTENDANCE: Councilman Fred Neil, Sarah Keifer, Dina Vendetti, Sgt. Jennifer Lynch, Mayor Robin Christiansen, Will Grimes, Quiana Hutchins, Pete Bradley, Todd Stonesifer, Sharon Duca, Jessica Jackson, Linda Parkowski, Donny Legans, John Van Gorp, Kim Adams STAFF: Diane Laird, Jordan Resh CALL TO ORDER Stonesifer opened the meeting at 7:32 a.m. AGENDA Councilman Neil motioned to approve the agenda. Keifer seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. MINUTES Councilman Neil motioned to approve the previous meeting minutes. Keifer seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. POLICE REPORT Sgt. Lynch reported that crime has remained consistent downtown with a dedicated effort underway to address it, such as working with the Attorney’s General Office, which is anticipated to lead to action soon. She added that the former Interfaith was demolished and projects with DDP are making progress. `EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/STAFF UPDATES Laird shared that Bradbury is no longer with DDP and thanked her for her efforts over the years. She added that Resh is transitioning to a new role with the Delaware Arts Alliance. She added that there is an opportunity now to recruit new staff/skillsets to fill the broad responsibilities that were previously covered by Resh and Bradbury. Laird invited the board to encourage their colleagues to share resumes if they are interested and a good fit for the roles available. Laird noted that by August, the staff transition should be completed. Budget & Workplan Laird shared that herself and Bradley prepared the budget. She noted that DDP is anticipating a grant from Grant in Aid ($250,000) which could go towards an additional signature event, funding set aside for Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 1

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room legal services, budget for downtown wi-fi system to play music/make announcements, a new brand/marketing, as well funding for recruiting new businesses and supporting/expanding existing ones. She added that additional bond funds are available to go into the money market/invested and that DDP is renegotiating a lease with EZ-Pass and anticipating a broker agreement soon. She added that the advertising budget and training budget has decreased, and broker expenses have increased. Laird noted that an audit is being scheduled to take place this year to evaluate fiscal health. Laird noted that funding for the wayfinding for parking has not been expensed but plans to use the funding in the next 1-2 years. Bradley added that the budget is similar to last year and that funding has been set aside for potential improvements needed for the EZ-Pass property as well. Councilman Neil requested that when the budget is presented, a copy of last year’s budget is provided. Laird shared that she could provide that after the meeting and will do so moving forward. Parkowski motioned to approve the budget as presented. Bradley seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Work Plan Laird presented the work plans for the DDP committees and noted that capacity/availability of volunteers may impact the ability to implement the workplans. Parkowski asked how committee chairs are being recruited, and Laird responded that if anyone has recommendations for committee chairs they are encouraged to reach out, and board members are encouraged to join committees as well. She noted that committees present an opportunity to work on implementing projects for downtown directly. Councilman Neil motioned to approve the FY2025 workplans. Mayor Christiansen seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Nominations for 2025 Laird shared that one board position, and one executive board position is vacant for next year, and that recruitment for the positions are underway. PROPERTY UPDATES 680-684 Forest St. Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 2

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room Stonesifer shared that the former Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing building was demolished with the goal of attracting a future developer. Laird noted that ~$15K was spent last year on clean up after the property was vandalized while vacant. 136 W. Loockerman St. Laird shared that Key to Life, the tenant of the property and EDGE grant winners, received a free AC unit by exchanging the one purchased for 120 S. Governors for one to install at 136 W. Loockerman. DOWNTOWN DOVER MASTER PLAN PRIORITIES Planning Commission June 17 Meeting Outcomes (148 & 150 S. Bradford St.) Stonesifer noted that the Capital City plan is subject to change, including relocating the Mobility Center from its originally proposed site. Two property owners offered to provide their buildings for the plan, leading to a request for demolition from the Historic Planning Commission, which failed. The DDP then appealed the decision with the Planning Commission, which was approved. DDP will move forward with demolition, noting that a clean up is required due to site contamination and that an environmental assessment is being conducted on the additional properties. Councilman Neil noted that Friends of Old Dover contacted Council, and the DDP presented amended designs to address their concerns. He thanked DDP for their efforts and for listening to the concerns of their constituents. 120 S. Governors Stonesifer shared that demolition for 120 S. Governors was approved by Historic District Commission last week. Next, a Request for Proposal/Invitation to Bid will launch, and Ken Anderson needs permission to work with contractors. Bradley motioned that the DDP Property Development Director, in concert with the DDP Executive Director, be authorized to pursue the abatement and the demolition of 148, 150 S. Bradford St. and 120 S. Governor’s Avenue, using previously approved contract and solicitations procedures, with coordination, as needed, with the City of Dover and DDP development team, for a cumulative amount NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 for the three properties. If the projected abatement and demolition costs of these three properties exceeds this amount, the DDP will move forward with abatement and/or demo Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 3

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room on properties that total $250,000 or under and will seek further approval from the DDP Executive Committee for $50,000 or less (over the $250.000). If it is over $50,000, approval will be sought from the Board of Directors. The motion was seconded by Parkowski. Laird noted that funding is in place for the demos/clean up assessments. Mayor Christiansen abstained due to role with Friends of Old Dover. Unanimous approval by remaining board members. GRANTS ARPA $15.1M Laird shared that the pricing and timeline was approved by ARPA, and that an agreement will be signed soon. DE Bond Bill $10M Stonesifer shared that DDP is a line item on the bond bill, and voting is scheduled to take place this week with DDP anticipated to receive the funding. Federal Appropriation Request – Sen. Carper $5M Laird shared that funding is requested to offer subsidies for workforce housing. She noted that housing at 120 S. Governors would be mixed-use, mixed-income, and the subsidies will offer competitive rate housing for young/emerging professionals who cannot yet afford the market rate units. She noted that the amount of funding anticipated may change. EPA Brownfield Remediation $1M Stonesifer shared that the EPA awarded DDP with $1M for Brownfield remediation. He noted that many properties downtown are brownfields, but that once 75% of funding is depleted, DDP will have the opportunity to apply for additional clean up efforts. Stonesifer invited the board to the press event today at CenDel with Governor Carney at 10 a.m. Grant in Aid FY2025 Request - $230,000 Stonesifer shared that Sen. Paradee is at the GIA meeting, and that the amount of funding should be made available soon, once voting is complete. Dover Kent MPO FY25 Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 4

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room Laird shared that the MPO Pathways study is complete with suggestions to improve pedestrian access and volume. She added that the MPO will present their complete study to the City Council in July and the presentation will be available online. Laird shared that she is planning a luncheon meeting for the board to have opportunities to ask the MPO questions and discuss the plan. Dover Kent MPO and Colonial Parking Laird shared that she is planning a luncheon meeting for the board to have opportunities to ask the MPO/Colonial questions and discuss the plan for the Mobility Center. She added that a finalized mockup should be available by the end of July. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Stonesifer shared that Sen. Paradee is meeting with the Grant in Aid mark up today and will meet for Bond Bill tomorrow. He added that news should be announced by the end of June about funding amounts. OTHER BUSINESS N/A BOARD MEMBER UPDATES Legans shared that all is good at Rail Haus. Van Gorp shared that all is good at Bayhealth. Councilman Neil shared that the Council’s budget was passed last night. He added that he wrote a letter of support for HB442, related to housing, and offered to share it with those who want to read. Duca shared that they are working on the recreational marijuana ordinance with Council and will release a survey for public input soon. She added that the current proposal for council would allow sales on Route 13, manufacturing in agricultural zones, but is working on concerns with proximity to recreational areas. Stonesifer noted that the zoning for downtown Dover would not be eligible for sales under the current recommendations. He added that the DDP is not taking a position, but that board members are welcome to take a position as individuals. Laird thanked the Planning Commissions efforts in assisting the Historic Review Commission process. Dr. Vendetti shared that the CDCC hosted their annual Awards for Excellence last week and will begin other programming soon. Mayor Christiansen shared that yesterday he and Dave Hugg met with an economic developer in Saulisbury, MD and that they would like to meet with DDP to discuss investment. He noted that the developers suggested bringing a brewery onto Loockerman St. in downtown Dover. Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 5

Board Meeting 6/26/24 City of Dover Conference Room Dr. Hutchins shared that Schwartz Center is having more activities and is looking forward to filling the calendar there soon. Stonesifer thanked DSU for their efforts and noted the desire for continued engagement. Dr. Hutchins noted that the theater hosts ~148 seats and offers banquet halls that can be utilized for various events. She added that new staff members were hired and are dedicated to working in the Schwartz on tours and programming. Parkowski shared that yesterday Diane and Todd presented to the Delaware Business Roundtable, a collection of high-level leaders from throughout the state. She added that most leaders are from New Castle County. She noted that hearing what has been accomplished by the DDP was very exciting, noting the level of commitment, teamwork, and engagement at all levels that has taken place. Bradley shared that Kent County Tourism launched their new brand – Visit Central Delaware, which better aligns with Chose Central Delaware and the Chamber and offers an overdue rebrand. Adams shared that she received a Certificate of Occupancy for one of her properties on Loockerman St. (3 bedrooms) and has another inspection scheduled for an additional apartment and the Gingo (grab and go) store. She added that construction on other properties is also underway, including a large conference room. Stonesifer noted that Adams received Critical Improvements funding for her renovations. Councilman Neil shared that development at the Dover Air Force Base is being approved by Washington and would allow a civil aviation to set up, along with amenities, to be available in Dover. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Christiansen motioned to adjourn the meeting. Keifer seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Board Meeting 6/26/24 Downtown Dover Partnership Draft 6