Dover Seeks Developers to Revitalize Downtown Area, Beginning with Key Property on Governors Ave
Dover city officials are eager to kickstart their ambitious plans for the revitalization of the downtown district, with their focus centered on a key property located at 120 Governors Ave.
The Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP) has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to find a team of developers who can not only reinvent the 1.7-acre plot of land but who are also committed to the city’s long-term future. Under this arrangement, the DDP would retain ownership of the land while working closely with developers who align with the vision outlined in the Capital City 2030: Transforming Downtown Dover plan.
DDP Executive Director Diane Laird stated that the ideal partner would share their philosophy of promoting equity through the inclusion of mixed-income housing options, as well as providing opportunities for marginalized members of the community to access higher-quality housing.
The property at 120 to 142 S. Governors Ave. has been identified as the top priority for redevelopment within Dover’s broader $500 million, multi-year downtown redevelopment plan. One of the reasons for this designation is the property’s suitability for redevelopment, given that the DDP has owned it for an extended period of time and it is ready for immediate transformation.
Laird explained, We felt this would be a good pilot project to get started on. We’re not looking at the price point; instead, we are focusing on the capital stack. How would you finance this project? What sources of funding would you explore?
Engaging the community is another critical aspect of the proposed public-private partnership. The DDP is seeking a vendor with experience in fostering community involvement, potentially even through accepting small donations to encourage local investment in the project. The DDP also aims to prioritize collaboration with local workers and contractors for any future redevelopment initiatives.
Formerly an Acme grocery store in the 1970s, the property has since been leased to an auto parts store and a day care facility, occupying a single-story, 17,000-square-foot building on a month-to-month lease agreement. The existing structure would be demolished to pave the way for new construction. Currently zoned as Central Commercial (C-2), the envisioning of the Transforming Downtown Dover plan for 120 S. Governors Ave. involves the construction of a six-story, mixed-use building that includes a small-scale grocery store and a parking garage. The plan emphasizes the potential for an apartment complex with a portion of units designated as affordable housing. The specifics are not yet finalized, but the DDP believes that any successful development should prioritize the addition of residential spaces.
To expedite the planning process, the DDP is collaborating with Environmental Alliance, a consultant working with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, to assess any potential remediation requirements for 120 S. Governors Ave.
Ultimately, 120 S. Governors Ave. presents an opportunity for the city to gauge developer interest and investment potential in Dover’s future, according to Laird. She emphasized the importance of both broad and substantial investment, with an emphasis on community engagement and avoiding the marginalization of certain groups.
The business district of downtown Dover currently suffers from a nearly 50% vacancy rate in commercial properties, while local homeownership remains low, as indicated by the proposal documents. With a total population of 38,000 residents and an additional 16,000 individuals commuting to work in the city while living outside its limits, revitalizing the downtown area is seen as a crucial endeavor.
The DDP aims to announce a development partner by the end of September. However, the complete execution of the redevelopment plans may span several years, with theoretical construction expected to conclude within four years.
