Ten years and $575 million later, Delaware has found its formula for downtown development success. From Wilmington to Seaford, the Downtown Development Districts Program (DDD) has been revitalizing designated areas in Delaware’s cities and towns for a decade.
In 2014, the Downtown Development District (DDD) Act was passed unanimously by the 147th General Assembly and signed into law by then-Governor Jack Markell. Since then, the program has thrived, improving the commercial and residential vitality of 12 districts: Dover, Seaford, Wilmington, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Milford, Smyrna, City of New Castle, Clayton, Delaware City, and Middletown.
As we celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary, the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Office of State Planning Coordination are excited to share the extraordinary work being done throughout the state.
We thank Governor Markell, Governor Carney, and multiple General Assemblies for supporting this program over the past decade. Since the program was signed into law, new districts have been approved, district boundaries have been expanded, increased funding has been made available, and the program’s reach is a shining example of a successful private-public partnership statewide.
The program is simple. Investors —including small business owners, developers, and homeowners — with eligible investments in one of the 12 districts can receive up to a 20% rebate on exterior, interior, and structural improvements. Property investments can include new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings, and preserving significant historical structures. In addition to the state rebate, local governments in the DDD program provide their own suite of incentives and assistance that further encourage investors to implement these revitalization projects.
Delaware’s DDD program has seen tremendous success, with 427 residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects completed. This represents 354 small and 73 large projects that used $39 million in state DDD funds to leverage $575 million in private investment. For every $1 in state funds, $10.3 in private investment is brought to a local city or town.
The DDD program has consistently spurred a wide range of investments, including restaurants like fondue. in Milford, historic buildings like the Everett Theater in Middletown, and new townhomes in the City of New Castle.
It’s important to note that DDD isn’t just about buildings; it’s about people. DDD rebate recipients are not just beneficiaries; they are part of a support network and receive supplemental partner incentives from municipal governments and non-profit partners. This additional support is our way of showing appreciation for their commitment to the program. Local city and town managers in the 12 districts also receive training from DDD partners like DSHA, OSPC, and the Division of Small Business, as well as online resources, marketing materials, and coaching to support their ongoing revitalization efforts.
More importantly, the residents of these communities are impacted through the DDD program. The transformation of these 12 areas into vibrant community centers is a testament to their neighborhoods’ resilience, pride, and spirit. This program provides Delaware families with close access to entertainment and services, offers young professionals the opportunity to work and play where they live, and allows lifelong residents to preserve the landmarks they grew up with as children. It’s a collective achievement we can all take pride in seeing within our communities.
We’re proud of DDD’s success and look to the future with optimism as we celebrate its 10th anniversary. Here’s to another ten years and another $575 million investment in Delaware’s downtown areas. With your continued support, we are confident that the next decade will bring our communities even more prosperity and vibrancy.
Cynthia Karnai serves as the Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. David Edgell serves as the Director of the Office of State Planning Coordination.
