Tag Archives: Wilmington

Wednesday’s Round-Up 1/24/18

  January 24, 2018

Happy Wednesday! We’re trying out a new effort here on the Delaware Complete Communities Planning toolbox. Check in every two week for a round-up of new content added the toolbox, or discovered out in the interwebs, collected here just for you.

 

New this week


Tactical Urbanism is a strategy that uses quick, cheap projects to make a small part of the city more livable. This video highlights the benefits of this technique.

Are you ready for automated vehicles in Delaware? This video considers the impacts of autonomous and connected vehicles (CAVs) on issues such as roadway safety, traffic congestion, and the economy.

From the archives

Young adult in a motorized wheel chair with her service dog, struggles to navigate the poorly plowed streets.

Dust off our Winter Maintenance guide to review how Delaware local governments can clarify and better coordinate responsibilities for winter maintenance of pedestrian facilities.

Spotlight on Delaware

John Carney practicing his state of the state address infront of a teleprompter.

Photo credit: Gov. John Carney’s Twitter

Gov. John Carney delivered his State of the State Address to a Joint Session of the General Assembly last week. Did you miss it? Watch it now.

Recipients of the Planning Certificate Award.

Register now for upcoming training programs on land-use hosted by the Institute for Public Administration.

Fire truck outside of fire station 5.

Photo credit: City of Wilmington

Have a suggestion for Fire Station no. 5 reuse? Wilmington is listening.

Sussex plan logo.

The next Sussex County Council Comprehensive Plan Workshop takes place on January 31, at 9:30 a.m.

Trending on the web

Screenshot of a video showing sneckdowns (areas that should be used for pedestrians but are currently in the snow.

An unlikely hero for pedestrians… snow! How Heavy Snow Reveals Safer Street Designs. #SneckDown

A home artificial intellegence device.

Home AI devices like Alexa can ‘digest’ planning documents to share with homeowners.

Red lightrail transit in Toronto.

Toronto Cleared Cars Off Its Biggest Transit Street, and Ridership Soared Almost Overnight.

Seaford, Dover, and Wilmington Designated as Downtown Development Districts

  January 15, 2015 ,

According to a January 11, 2015 press release, Governor Markell announced that the cities of Seaford, Dover, and Wilmington have been selected for designation as Downtown Development Districts (DDDs). Per DDD program guidelines, the first three DDDs must include one district in each county.

Markell said, “The Downtown Development District program has generated a high level of enthusiasm and interest, and I was impressed by the overall quality of the applications submitted. In addition to demonstrating significant need, each of the winning applicants submitted thoughtful plans with detailed strategies to strengthen neighborhoods, spur private investment, and improve housing opportunities for residents of all walks of life. On behalf of the state, I look forward to working in partnership with the winning applicants as they make their plans a reality.”

The DDD program was created by legislation proposed by the Governor in 2014. Senate Bill 191 was signed into law by the Governor on June 5, 2014 and was approved for a $7 million allocation by the Delaware General Assembly. The DDD Grant program is modeled in part after a Virginia program that has proven successful in leveraging significant amounts of private investment in under-served areas.

Under the program, designated districts will be entitled to receive significant development incentives and other benefits to spur investment and community development. Investors who make qualified real estate investments in DDDs will be entitled to receive grants of up to 20% of the cost of their investments. The Delaware State Housing Authority, which administers the program, has produced a DDD Grant Program FAQ information sheet for investors who may wish to apply for a grant in a designated district.

A total of nine local governments applied to have a portion of their city, town, or unincorporated area designated as a DDD.  The applications were evaluated in accordance with three main criteria: 1) need and impact, 2) the quality of the district plan submitted by the applicant, and 3) local incentives offered.