Downtown Dover transformation plan launches with $25 million in state funding

The Capital City 2030 Strategic Plan includes three projects, backed by a $25 million allocation in state funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. These initiatives are geared towards driving the development of new residences, businesses and parking amenities.

The three projects include:

• Critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades, estimated at $1.7 million.
• A six-story center with a community grocery store, daycare, and retail and residential space at 120 South Governors Avenue, costing around $80 million.
• A multilevel transportation center with more than 300 parking spaces, bus stops, bike share and electric charging at South Governors Avenue and South Bradford Street, projected to cost about $14 million.

The new work would be an addition to the host of amenities and attractions already in place in Dover such as Legislative Hall, Dover City Hall, the public library, numerous state offices, the historic landscape of Delaware’s national park known as “The Green,” and the new Dover Post Office.

“The City of Dover has a solid roadmap for its revitalization, building on efforts the city and its partners have been making over the last several years, and this state funding will make those plans a reality,” Christiansen said.

“I’ve always referred to the revitalization of downtown Denver as a revitalization of our city’s heart. If you have a healthy heart, you’ll have a healthy city across the board,” he said. “It’s going to be an economic engine not only for just the downtown area, but for the entire city.”

Norman Royal is a designer and “up-cyclist” at Top Notch who’s lived in Dover for 30 years. He expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming changes. He said enhancing the value of the area will provide vital resources to the community and address long-standing needs.