The Delaware State Housing Authority has selected 10 revitalization projects in Laurel, Georgetown, Dover and Wilmington to receive rebates through the Downtown Development Program.
Delaware offers rebates to projects within one of eight designated downtown development districts. They cover capital investments on rehabilitation, expansion or new construction for commercial, industrial, residential or mixed-use buildings.
This year’s rebates totaled $4.3 million and leveraged $53 million in private investment.
“Downtown revitalization is a centerpiece of our commitment to reinvesting in Delaware and making our communities stronger,” said Gov. John Carney. “A small amount of state funding has leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, making these partnerships among the best in our state. These investments are a vital tool in our economic development toolbox, and will have a long-term impact rippling out into surrounding neighborhoods.”
The 2019 fiscal year budget includes $8.5 million for the DDD program. The program has issued $21 million in rebates over the last three years, helping draw $371 million in private investment.
“We are pleased to support new projects that are creating homes, renovating empty buildings, leading to new construction, and bringing businesses and jobs to our downtowns,” said Anas Ben Addi, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “Community development is central to our mission, and we are encouraged by the continued strong interest in the Downtown Development District rebates in all eight districts.”
The 10 projects selected this year include:
• Constructing 10 units (five duplexes) in the second phase of the townhome community of Villas on Broad Creek in Laurel.
• Expanding and rehabbing a building on East Laurel Street in Georgetown to include a laundry facility, coffee shop, beauty salon, apartments and office space.
• Building a 20,000-square-foot medical and professional office building in Dover.
• Renovation or redevelopment of four projects along Wilmington’s Market Street corridor:
O Renovating the bar inside the Queen Theatre;
O Redeveloping a vacant building into a hotel and restaurant; and
O Converting an office building into mixed-use retail and residential space.
O Redeveloping a building into a restaurant and apartments.
• Redeveloping a church building on Lombard Street in Wilmington into an employment training center, fresh produce retail operation, office space, and multipurpose community space.
• Redeveloping a building on North West Street in Wilmington into a commercial laundry and office space.
• Redeveloping a former cabinet manufacturer on North Church Street in Wilmington to house a church sanctuary, offices, classroom space and community center.
