Great Opportunities for Milford in 2017

Providing for a quality way of life, we encourage you to explore our magnificent City parks, including the Tony Silicato Memorial Park that hosts the CanDo Playground, a facility for children of all needs, and BiCentennial Park which features the Mispillion Riverwalk, a series of pedestrian and bicycle paths that allow families to enjoy the views of the beautiful Mispillion River. Whether you are seeking to open a business, raise a family or retire, the opportunity for prosperity and happiness is waiting in Milford. What are you waiting for ?

– The Honorable Bryan Shupe

from the desk of

Mayor Bryan W Shupe

At the start of 2016, the City of Milford made a commitment to residents to focus on expanding economic development opportunities, restoring aging infrastructure, revitalizing our historic downtown district while continuing our success in the areas of fiscal responsibility, public transparency and commitment to quality public services.  As large projects, including the Bayhealth Heath Campus and our downtown revitalization efforts made headlines across the state of Delaware, we demonstrated our commitment to forging partnerships between public agencies, the private sector and our residents that are critical to the success of our city. Together, with energy and enthusiasm, we confronted adversity as an opportunity to build a stronger community and created a foundation for our town to build upon moving into 2017 and beyond.

City of Milford began 2016 with new leadership including our City Manager Eric Norenberg, Chief of Police Kenneth Brown and Public Works Director Mark Whitfield. These gentleman, with help from City of Milford veterans, quickly evaluated and executed actions to meet our opportunities. I am proud to state that our team was able to move forward quickly and position Milford as a vital contributor to lower Delaware’s economy, while continuing the quality of services that Milford residents expect and enjoy. Since these additions to the executive team, Milford has seen positive results in the expansion of private public partnerships in the creation of economic development and jobs, including the $300 million Bayhealth investment of a new health campus in southeast Milford and the continued expansion of our SCADA system that allows the City to proactively manage and secure city-owned electric, water and sewer utilities. Next year will be just as exciting as Milford continues to set the pace for the Delmarva region.

Bayhealth Health Campus Begins Construction

Many community members have shared in the success of Bayhealth this year as the new Health Campus in southeast Milford continues to see progress. Residents are now witnessing Bayhealth’s next phase of healthcare in southern Delaware. The health campus project team is in the process of pouring the concrete foundation for the first floor and framing the exterior walls of the new hospital building. Crews have also paved some roads and parking lots with asphalt on the health campus. The steel for the building is scheduled to arrive in January. Over the next few months Bayhealth will start to see the steel structure rise just off of Route 1, near the overpass exit. Bayhealth is planning to place the final steel beam on the building in late summer, early fall of 2017. Bayhealth has reported that currently 53% of the labor on the health campus project is from Delaware and 68% percent of the material is being fabricated or purchased in Delaware.

Clarke Ave Site Engages Potential Owners 

With the help of redevelopment firm Trammell Crow, Bayhealth held exploratory meetings over the last year to engage community members, business owners, key stakeholders, city officials, and other interested parties to re-imagine the future of the Clarke Avenue Facility – the current site of Bayhealth Milford Memorial. As a result of the meetings, Bayhealth engaged with 19 businesses that operate in a variety of industries. Several of these businesses have expressed interest in exploring opportunities at the facility. Visit www.imagineDE.com to learn more about the redevelopment project.

Economic Development Creates Jobs 

When creating an environment in a community where business can thrive, there is no substitute for hard work and proactive engagement. Over the course of 2016 my office and City of Milford officials met with over 100 business owners in an effort to better understand their challenges and opportunities for growth. Partnerships with the City of Milford have produced retention of current employment, supplemented by the expansion and creation of jobs among several of our large employers including Bayhealth, First State Manufacturing and Perdue Farms.

In an effort to encourage expansion of our current business community and to attract new businesses looking to develop in Milford, the City of Milford Economic Development Committee has created incentives for job creation and investment in our community. The Economic Development Office will work closely with our local, county and State partners to proactively pursue those interested in creating a better Milford. 

Public Private Partnerships Revitalize Downtown

Created in 2015 with the help of over 200 community members and adopted by Milford City Council in 2016, the Rivertown Rebirth Plan has gained momentum with some positive movement downtown. Touch of Italy has been busy restoring the historic Milford Trust Company at the corner of Front Street and Walnut Street, the busiest corner in our downtown district. The rehabilitation efforts inside the building have uncovered some very unique features of the former bank including marble floors, which the new owners intend to restore. With an opening of the Touch of Italy planned before April, the restaurant will include the Italian Deli they are known for around the region. Lou’s Bootery has been purchased by Dan Bond, an individual that has restored several historic buildings in downtown Milford, including the Towers Bed & Breakfast which is currently under construction. His plans for the Lou’s Bootery building include rehabilitation of the building to include retail on the first floor and two luxury apartments on floors two and three. Several businesses including, Coolspring Cottage, Factory Finish Shoe Repair, LifeCycle, and Milford Billiards have opened in downtown Milford. 

In August, Governor Jack Markell designated Milford as part of the Downtown Development District (DDD) program, creating more opportunities for the private public partnerships that will help us to realize the City’s Rivertown Rebirth plan. The DDD program offers private investors the ability to apply for up to 20% State grants for commercial and residential rehabilitation and new construction in our downtown district. A complete description of the DDD program and the Rivertown Rebirth plan can be found at www.cityofmilford.com/ddd. 

Early in 2017, the City will send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the property reimagined under the Rivertown Rebirth Plan known as Riverplace. The land is the site of a former City water treatment plant, which was moved near the downtown water tower over the past year.  Across the Mispillion River from Arena’s Bar & Deli, the area includes a vacant lot and basketball court. The RFP will ask developers and investors to come forth with a unique project on the property to build a mixed-use establishment including restaurant and retail as well as residential space. As the City works with the Delaware State Parks to replace any used park land within City limits, the RFP will also ask that developers help to replace the basketball court on a nearby property and construct public bathrooms. We are excited about the possibilities that interested investors will bring to the City and excited to see this opportunity to enhance the Mispillion Riverwalk in downtown Milford. 

Technology Creates Better Services, Saves Money 

In March, the City Council approved a letter of intent to begin developing a Smart Meter system.  Since then, staff has been working with American Municipal Power (AMP) to develop implementation plans to replace or upgrade electric and water meters with smart meter technology in 2017.  The Smart Meter project will improve operational efficiency and benefit our customers.  In particular, City staff will have the ability to do monthly meter reading remotely, saving staff time and vehicle expense. Consumers will be able to check their consumption at any time via a web portal and City staff will have tools to better monitor the electric distribution system, including verifying power has been restored to all customers after an outage. The final plan for the project will be presented to the City Council in January.

City Council authorized the purchase of a one-person automated refuse/recycling collection truck in December.  The new vehicle will allow one person to collect up to 1,000 containers a day. The truck enables the safe collection of materials by eliminating human contact with the container, negating lifting of containers and exposure to dust or sharp objects. The efficiency will eliminate the need to fill two present vacancies in the Solid Waste Division.  The new unit will also allow the City to make improvements to the present collection schedule, including weekly collection of recycling materials on the same day as trash collection, and weekly collection of yard waste in the future.

Infrastructure Rehabilitation Creates Safer Roads 

In 2016, DELDOT repaved a large area of Business Route 1, creating a safer corridor from south to north Milford on our eastern border. Focusing on a well-travelled corridor from east to west in downtown Milford, City officials have formed a partnership with DELDOT to create a master plan for Front Street from Route 113 to Rehoboth Boulevard, including repaving, sidewalk improvements, sign installations and other beautification efforts. This partnership offers funding by DELDOT for up to 80% of the total project cost, which will be expected to take course over several years. With the new overpass at Route 1 and Route 14, slated for 2018, there will be a new entrance from Delaware’s busiest corridor into downtown Milford. DELDOT officials are working with the City to provide unique and attractive signage to celebrate the success that Milford has experienced. 

Although we have seen some challenges for funding at the State level to repave Airport Road in west Milford, our state legislators have been critical in helping to move this project along. This winter, the City of Milford will be accepting bids for the paving of Airport Road and we hope to start the construction in the Spring of 2017. This road has been in need of repair for several years and we are pleased that our partners at the State level, including Senator Gary Simpson, Representative Harvey Kenton and the late-Representative Peterman, were committed to helping find a solution.

Police Department Focuses on Community Outreach 

Since being hired as Chief of Police in January of 2016, Chief Kenneth Brown has exceeded expectations, increasing the department’s proactive approach to community policing and serving residents. In addition to the community outreach online and on social media platforms, Chief Brown has made a habit of sharing the accomplishments of his men and women as well as community members through City Council meeting and local press. Working with the State of Delaware, Chief Brown has made progress on properties that continue to cause problems for neighbors and the City as a whole. Chief Brown has led the charge on the future use of body cameras by the department and expanded the motorcycle unit that once patrolled City streets, promoting community and police interactions on a positive basis. In 2016, Chief Brown and the City of Milford Police Committee commissioned Redstone Architects, Inc. to update an earlier space planning study for the Milford Police Station.  Redstone Architects, Inc. has developed preliminary plans and scope for the construction of a new police station. Chief Brown and the Police Committee will be sharing and discussing the information presented in the study with the public this year as they develop a plan to meet the needs of the Milford Police Department. 

DE Turf Brings Economic Opportunities 

After breaking ground in May 2016, DE Turf is on track to offer athletes of Delaware and the entire mid-Atlantic a premier sporting experience beginning spring 2017. As 2016 wraps up, all 12 synthetic turf fields have been completed, field lighting and parking lot lighting has been installed. The finishing touches such as bleachers, score boards and concession stands will be completed in early 2017, in time for the first athletes to use the facility in mid-March. The opening tournament at the Turf will be College Connection Shooting Star Field Hockey Showcase over Easter weekend and it will be followed by 10 more tournaments including lacrosse and soccer – each bringing up to 60 teams. Aside from being a venue for tournaments and large-scale events, DE Turf will be an ally for area schools, clubs and leagues looking for a year-round location to practice and play. The fields are playable throughout the year as the Turf isn’t damaged by rain or snow and the fields can also be used after nightfall under the Turf’s stadium lighting. For those looking to advance their skills, train during the off season or just have fun playing a sport, DE Turf will host a wide array of its own internal programming with camps, weekly training and leagues for field hockey, lacrosse and soccer players of all ages.DE Turf Brings Economic Development Opportunities 

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