Taking it Downtown: Milford leaders Seek State Revitalization Grant

By Mike Finney
mike.finney@doverpost.com
@MikeOnMilford Posted Apr. 14, 2016 at 3:34 pmUpdated Apr 14, 2016 at 3:43 PM
Receiver at http://www.milfordbeacon.com/news/20160414/taking-it-downtown-milford-leaders-seeking-state-revitalization-grant

The cities of Dover, Seaford and Wilmington were designated as the inaugural Downtown Development Districts last year, each receiving state grant money to revitalize their downtowns.

Milford hopes to get in on the action this year after Gov. Jack Markell announced an expanded program in March. Cities throughout the state have until June 1 to get applications in for this year’s Downtown Development District Program.

Milford is already hard at work and will be discussing the details at upcoming city council meetings. So far, $9.7 million in Downtown Development District grant funding is leveraging more than $160 million of private investment in Dover, Seaford and Wilmington.

Mayor Brian Shupe believes the state’s revitalization program would be a good way to jumpstart the Rivertown Rebirth Plan, which the city began laying the foundation for last year.

Ben Muldrow, of Arnett Muldrow & Associates, the architect of the plan, said grants from the state could serve as a stimulus for Milford’s long-range downtown plan.

The Mispillion Riverfront has redefined Milford’s downtown area over the past decade, Muldrow said, as the town’s arts scene is continually hopping, and Bayhealth’s $250 million healthcare facility is on its way, opening in 2019.
“The DDD designation would allow us to tap into capital to attract private sector investors and would allow us access to 30 percent historic tax credits for revitalization,” Muldrow said. “This designation could accelerate our downtown redevelopment significantly.”

Shupe said the city is reaching out to residents, business owners and potential investors to share ideas to help create a successful application.

If Milford is awarded the DDD designation, private investors will have the opportunity to apply for a State of Delaware grant for up to 20 percent of their hard costs, Shupe said.

“Through the Rivertown Rebirth public workshops, our residents identified that they would like to see more restaurants and shopping as well as more housing options in the downtown area.

“We have already been approached by several investors, after they heard the news of the DDD expansion from Gov. Markell, that would like to develop mixed-use buildings downtown for commercial and residential use.”

Through the program, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is currently building homes in downtown Dover on vacant lots on New Street and Kirkwood Streets. Seaford is constructing apartment buildings with boat docks on the Nanticoke River. Wilmington is adding a 355-space parking garage with more than 200 apartments and 12,000-square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Rob Pierce, Milford’s planning and economic activities coordinator, said the Rivertown plan has helped with a portion of the city’s application.

“As part of the DDD application, the city must develop a District Plan that will be used to guide development activities and revitalization efforts in the district,” Pierce said.

“The Rivertown Rebirth Plan will be the basis for a portion of the District Plan, mainly focusing on components related to commercial growth and redevelopment. The remaining portion of the plan will be developed to outline strategies and goals related to residential redevelopment and revitalization with an emphasis on home ownership.”