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from the desk of
Mayor Bryan W Shupe
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Milford Memorial Campus Begins Redevelopment
After many months of interviews and discussion with community members, local business owners, key stakeholders, city officials and interested parties, Bayhealth has announced it has reached an agreement with Nationwide Healthcare Services for the sale of the grounds that currently house Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital on Clarke Avenue. Nationwide Health Services plans to transform the 22-acre site and surrounding buildings into an innovative multi-use healthcare-focused community. The new business is expected to bring 300-plus full time jobs near the downtown area and will establish an additional large employer in the city of Milford. Through leadership, Bayhealth has proven their commitment to the Milford community as redevelopment of the Clark Avenue facility continues to be a priority for the organization. The redevelopment of this site demonstrates the ingenuity necessary to bring together successful economic development, preservation and quality of life initiatives.
Steel Begins Rising on Health Campus Project Site
The first pieces of structural steel are in place on the site of Bayhealth’s new health campus project as full construction of the new $300 million hospital and outpatient center is underway in southern Delaware. The placement of the first steel beam marks the next stage in the 440,000-square-foot hospital and outpatient center’s construction. Over the next few months the six-story frame of the project will take shape in southeast Milford. Bayhealth’s new hospital will include expanded emergency services, cardiovascular services, additional operating rooms and all private patient rooms. As this is the first phase of a larger health campus, there will also be a 70,000 square foot outpatient center connected to the hospital with additional services. A partnership with Nemours Children’s Health System will provide patients with an opportunity for specialized care in southern Delaware. A separate building on Bayhealth’s health campus will be dedicated to the top-notch children’s health provider.
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State Grants spur improvements in downtown Milford
Two projects in Milford were recipients of Milford’s first round of Downtown Development District (DDD) grants. Downtown Properties of Milford, LLC received a grant of $135,554 toward the complete renovation and historic preservation of the Lou’s Bootery building, a project that will cost $872,764. The owners plan to return the building, which was built in the 1840s, to its original state, creating retail on the first floor and high-end apartments on the upper floors. The former Milford Skating Rink is being renovated by the owner to create office space for Davis, Bowen & Friedel, an architectural firm. The building, which was the site of W.T. Grant Department Store for many years, will now house offices and meeting space. The façade of the building is being completely renovated along with the interior. Greater Milford Development, LLC received a grant of $195,000 for the project which will cost $975,000. The owners of Touch of Italy will receive a grant of $50,000 towards the renovation for the former M&T Bank Building as they plan to open by summer.
The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Milford moved into the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown, located at 24 Northeast Front Street. Currently, the building houses offices for the State of Delaware and Community Integrated Services. In an effort to provide additional art instruction in Milford, the Mispillion Art League is expanding. The organization signed a lease to create larger classroom space in the area behind the current gallery which was the previous home of Culture Eye and Angelucci Gallery. The Music School of Delaware’s Milford Branch announced its new location in the heart of downtown Milford, at 29 N. Walnut Street. Interior renovations to the building, which will include additional private lesson rooms and a group lesson space, will take place in June, while the school continues to operate at its current location.
The City of Milfordl has worked with several private investors as applicants are being prepared for Milford’s second round of the DDD. Michael and Denise Rivera, owners of the Bank House, located at 119 North Walnut St, are planning to turn the historic property into a Bed & Breakfast to include four bedrooms, a suite for the innkeeper and a three-car garage with additional off-street parking. Several residential property owners have applied for the program that will help homeowners offset rehabilitation costs through State grants up to 20% of hard costs.
Private vs. Public Investment in Downtown since September
Total Private Investment = $3,124,458
State Grant Funds awarded/reserved = $511,292
City of Milford Fee Waivers to Date = $8,764 |
DSHA makes Investments in Home Ownership
Milford Housing Development Corporation will use $500,000, through Delaware’s Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund, to create 10 new or renovated owner-occupied housing units in the city of Milford’s downtown area. The effort is aligned with Milford’s Rivertown Rebirth 2025 plan. Increasing homeownership will help strengthen our community and support our downtown. Neighborhoods succeed because of the people living and working there and we are pleased to partner in this effort.
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Airport Road Construction Begins this Spring
Starting in late-May, sections of Airport Road will be closed temporarily so that the City of Milford can make necessary repairs. The project, which will cost $2.3 million, is more than just a repaving project. There will be excavation below the road to repair issues that the City has identified. The construction will include widening the road somewhat and adding shoulders. The City anticipates completion in October. For those who were unable to attend the City public information meeting held Wednesday, March 22, regarding the Airport Road Improvement Project, the City published a video of the presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdtH4ZhPCvY&feature=youtu.be. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 302-422-1110. We are very grateful that our State legislators Senator Gary Simpson, Representatives Harvey Kenton and the late Jack Peterman provided necessary Community Trust Fund monies and legislative support to get this project moving.
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Route 113 Railroad Crossing Replacement and Closure
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is holding an Information Meeting to discuss the replacement of the existing railroad crossing, installation of grade crossing signals, cantilever structures and railroad safety gates on U.S. Route 113 between SR 14 and Kings Highway in conjunction with Delmarva Central Railroad. Safety improvements are required to provide a smooth crossing, correct drainage issues and add sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To complete this work, there will be a full closure of U.S. Route 113 northbound and southbound between SR 14 and Kings Highway in Milford. The work is tentatively scheduled to begin on Friday, May 5 and is anticipated to be finished by midnight on Friday, May 19. All work is dependent on weather conditions and other factors. All local businesses will remain open during the road closure, but regional and local detours will be in effect. These detours and other measures to mitigate traffic will be presented at the meeting.
The Public Information Meeting will be held from 4 pm until 7 pm on Monday, April 3 at the Carlisle Fire Company, 615 Northwest Front Street in Milford. Interested persons are invited to attend to discuss the project and detours. Comments will be received during the meeting or can be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903 or sent via email to dotpr@state.de.usdotpr@state.de.us.
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New Tax Collection Aims at Delinquent Properties
Over the past several months, City Councilmembers have met to discuss updates to Milford City Charter, bringing some sections up-to-date, adjusting language and modernizing some of the codes. One of the biggest proposed changes to the Charter relates to how the City will collect unpaid taxes and fees. The State permits two methods for collection of delinquent taxes. The current method used by the City can take up to two years with significant court costs. The City Council has approved a motion to move to the “monition” sale process, which could be completed in six months, reducing costs to the City and encouraging property owners to resolve delinquencies more quickly. Council’s approval of the Charter changes will go to the Delaware General Assembly for final approval.
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Milford Police Focus on Community Interaction
The Milford Police Department (MPD) continues to prepare for the implementation of body cameras and Chief Brown is working with partners to secure funding for new integrated vehicle cameras as well as new downtown street cameras. Increasing patrols and proactive engagement with residents on the street level, MPD has recently added two new officers and continues to engage officers at all levels with training throughout the year. Chief Brown and City officials have toured both local and State police facilities across the state of Delaware to develop a plan for a much needed police station to fit the future growth of Milford and its department. The Police Department and Police Committee will be meeting with the public to discuss these findings and gather information from the public regarding their current and future needs.
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The City of Milford website can be found at http://cityofmilford.com. Transparency in government is important and I believe our residents will find city council agendas, meeting minutes and other information much easier to access. The new website also makes a good first impression to any potential visitors that may be looking to retire, raise a family or start a business in Milford.
The Mayor of Milford website can be found at www.bryanshupe.com.This website allows residents and visitors to Milford to see what is happening in the Mayor’s office.
The City of Milford Facebook Page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Milford-DE-River-Town-Art-Town-Home-Town/932133086819023. This will give Facebook users an up-to-date look at what is going on in the City of Milford.
The Mayor of Milford Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MayorShupe/. This page will give Facebook users an opportunity to see what is going on in the Mayor’s office. cebook users an opportunity to son in the Mayor’s office. 
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News from the Mayor’s Office
