Downtown Development District Designation

Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen and the City's Planning Director Ann Marie Townshend who coordinated the application for the Downtown Development District Designation. Next to them is a map of the Downtown Development District area.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell announcing Dover as one of three Downtown Development Districts.

Dover's Restoring Central Dover plan to attract new business downtown, boost homeownership, reduce crime and a host of other initiatives got a real shot in the arm earlier this month. Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced Dover is one of three municipalities to receive the first time Downtown Development District (DDD) Designation. Seaford and Wilmington were also selected to receive the funding.

"We want our cities to be vibrant places with a lot of action and we want people to be able to live to work and have a lot of fun in these neighborhoods," said Markell during a press conference in the Capital City.

The program provides incentives and other benefits designed to spur investments and community development in the DDDs. For example, investors who make qualified real property investments in the DDDs will be entitled to receive grants of up to 20% of the cost of their investments.

"We wanted the money to be directed to the places and projects where it would have the most impact and without a doubt, Dover is one of those places," added Markell. "It gives me great pleasure to be with you today as we celebrate the official designation of the city of Dover's new Downtown Development District encompassing the heart of the downtown central business district and adjoining residential neighborhoods."

Seven million dollars in grant funding will be administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) for the initial year of the program. Applications, forms and guidelines may be obtained from DSHA's website. The DDD program was proposed as legislation last year and the General Assembly approved it. HUD has been working with the Restoring Central Dover Group that is now concentrating on implementing its plan to make Central Dover a vibrant business corridor and community. Part of the mandate of the plan is to ensure active coordination with ongoing initiatives that include the City's Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.

###