Milford Customer Service to make big move downtown

1Milford Beacon

Received at http://www.milfordbeacon.com/article/20150318/NEWS/150319839

By Mike Finney
mike.finney@doverpost.com
@MikeOnMilford

The City of Milford’s billing department has already undergone a name change this year. Now it’s getting ready to change addresses.

The move is intended to make it more convenient for the community to connect with the department.

Milford City Council voted on Jan. 11 to change the name of the billing department to the Customer Service Center, due to its friendlier, more customer-related tone.

Now, the Customer Service Center, currently located off Airport Road, will be closing on April 2 and reopening on April 6 at its new location at 119 South Walnut Street at the former PNC Bank in downtown Milford.

Milford Mayor Bryan Shupe thinks it’s a natural fit and will bring positive things to the downtown area.

“The new Customer Service building opening in Milford is going to be a great addition to the downtown area,” Shupe said. “The City of Milford currently has about 1,400 customers that pay their bills in person each month.

“In addition to being convenient for many residents, this move will allow for more visitors to the downtown area and allow those individuals the opportunity to discover and visit our restaurants, boutiques and entertainment venues on a continuing basis.”

City officials said they been successful at transforming the old bank building into a Customer Service Center, but have encountered some last-minute issues which require outside assistance.

In order to use the basement safely and efficiently, some water intrusion must be contained and the compromised guttering system upgraded.

The city is still in negotiations about the scope of the project, but City Manager Hans Medlarz said the most urgent repairs should be able to be addressed for less than $10,000.

It is not expected that the water damage to the basement will delay the Customer Service Center’s move downtown in April.

The new location on South Walnut Street will have the added convenience of a drive-up window, so that customers paying their utility bills and taxes may do so from their vehicles.

However, customers who are setting up a new utility account or in need of discussing their accounts will have to come inside.

Shupe said he is excited to have the added people come to downtown Milford because it will promote business growth.

“As our downtown continues to transform through revitalization efforts, I believe the inflow of over 1,400 individuals each month will also increase the number of people involved in the conversation on how we best promote and grow our downtown business community,” he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing our residents drive the direction of downtown and become more involved in the decision-making process. The downtown area will be a catalyst for growth expanding across the entire town and create the sense of place that makes us unique among other Delaware communities.”

 

Read More at http://www.milfordbeacon.com/article/20150318/NEWS/150319839.