Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one stop shop for all the happenings in Downtown Wilmington, DE.
Thank you Donate Delaware for generously supplying Downtown Visions with personal protective gear to help keep our ambassadors safe while serving the Downtown community seven days a week!
Donate Delaware collects critically needed items from businesses or community members who have supplies that they do not currently need for Delaware’s first responders and healthcare organizations. Please support all of our essential workers by going to donatede.org and help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am excited to share the latest news from the Urban Bike Project. Here's the update from Laura Wilburn, Executive Director with the organization:
Urban Bike Project Makes Bicycling Affordable and Accessible for Wilmington Residents
Urban Bike Project is a non-profit community bicycle shop located at 1500 N. Walnut Street, just outside Wilmington’s downtown district. Our mission is to support Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable, and practical means of transportation and recreation. We believe that walking and biking brings people closer to their surroundings and creates happier, more sustainable communities. Benefits range from safer streets to healthier people, cleaner air to cleaner water, and equal access to reliable transportation regardless of income.
"A lot of times, there's this divide that people draw between environmental sustainability and social sustainability," says Laura Wilburn, executive director of the Urban Bike Project of Wilmington. "[But] when you get down to it, it's one and the same. The reason we care about environmental sustainability is because we care about people."
If you’re interested in learning more about the personal and social benefits of bicycling, incorporating bikes into your fitness or recreation routine, or trying out bike commuting, we can help! We offer a variety of bicycle related services to Wilmington residents:
Open Shop: Open Shop is open to the public from 6:30pm – 9pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Visitors can shop for affordable used bikes starting from $30, use our tools and stands to repair their bikes with help from volunteer mechanics, and get information about bicycle commuting and local riding. Beginning June 25th we will also be offering Saturday hours from 2:30pm – 5pm!
Free Bike Program: We offer free commuter bicycles, locks and lights to adults in need of reliable transportation. Interested individuals can apply online at www.urbanbikeproject.com/programs/free-bike-program or stop by our Open Shop hours (6:30pm – 9pm Tuesdays and Thursdays) to get an application. To qualify, applicants must also submit a referral letter from a social service agency.
Youth Shop: Kids age 8-18 are invited to join us for Youth Shop Wednesday nights from 5pm – 7:30pm. Youth can choose to repair their bikes, volunteer in exchange for shop credit that can be redeemed for parts and accessories, or take mechanics classes to earn a free bike. We also run weekend youth rides for participants during good weather months.
Earn-A-Bike Programs: We offer Earn-A-Bike programs to local schools and organizations interested in supplementing their existing curriculum with hands on, experiential learning opportunities. Students spend 10 hours learning about safe riding and refurbishing used bikes, which they keep for free at the end of the program.
Community Outreach Events: Look for us every year at the Wilmington Grand Prix, Hagley Hike n’ Bike, Brandywine Village Riverfest, and more! And don’t forget about our annual Crisp Classic Recreational Ride that takes place every fall for a fun event and a chance to meet other local riders and discover Wilmington’s Northern Delaware Greenway Trail. For a calendar of events, visit www.urbanbikeproject.com/newsevents/calendar
Helping to make Wilmington more bike friendly: Wilmington is working on lots of exciting bicycle initiatives, from a city-wide bike share to more on-road infrastructure. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more, we can help connect you with the right people! Just stop by Open Shop sometime and ask, or send us an email at urbanbikeproject@gmail.com
Interested in supporting Urban Bike Project? We are always grateful for financial support, donations of bicycles and parts, and most importantly volunteers! As a small organization, our work relies on our volunteers. Volunteers enjoy opportunities to learn new skills, meet fellow bicycle enthusiasts, and reap the rewards of helping others access the benefits of bicycling.
For more information or to get involved, visit our website at www.urbanbikeproject.com or email us at urbanbikeproject@gmail.com. For the most up-to-date information on news and events, make sure to like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/urbanbikeproject.
I hope you'll take advantage of this great organization!
Our friends at WITN, channel 22, have just produced an excellent overview of our Downtown Wilmington.
I appreciate the work Sheila Friedman and her team has done to showcase our incredible community.
Take a look at the video here:
You might want to take a look at all that WITN produces by clicking here.
We have a collection of great entrepreneurs, artists, educators, entertainers, residents, business leaders, non-profits, students, and more in our Downtown Wilmington - I hope you'll take time to explore all of these aspects of our community.
I am so proud of our community!
When news broke about people in need of water in Flint, Michigan - the people of Wilmington responded by gathering donations of bottled water and driving them to Flint.
I encourage you to click here to see the story and video from DEtv.
I love being part of a community that cares and that acts.
Downtown Visions is the non-profit management company responsible for Wilmington’s downtown business improvement district.
Our mission is the creation, management, and promotion of a quality environment for people who live, work, and visit Downtown Wilmington. Together with Main Street Wilmington (est. 2007), we have realized great progress. Specifically, since Main Street Wilmington became a program within Downtown Visions in 2010, there have been dramatic improvements along Market Street, including:
· The completion of 28 building restoration projects – ranging from new business signage & the removal of 14 external security gates - to complete building façade restorations!
· The recruitment of Jerry’s Artarama to Market Street
· Grants provided to over 59 businesses including La Fia, Zaikka Indian Grill, 9th Street Books, Leo & Jimmy’s Flyogi and Sports Connection
These are all significant gains for Downtown Wilmington! But, how does Downtown Visions/Main Street Wilmington help Delaware at-large?
The Main Street Program is a proven, community-driven, and comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States. Nationally, this program is spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation; a leading advocate for the preservation movement in the U.S. Together with Downtown Visions, Main Street Wilmington:
· Addresses the saving of historic buildings
· Promotes small business recruitment and retention to downtown Wilmington (resulting in employment opportunities)
· Assists in the marketing and promotion of downtown small businesses to help maximize their success (potentially expanding job opportunities)
· Offers The Façade Improvement Program - which provides construction jobs
Lastly, Main Street Wilmington relies on grants and donations. It receives no government funding. Therefore, all of these beneficial activities are made possible by people like you – people who understand how important a strong Downtown Wilmington is to all of Delaware. You can be a partner in this transformation as we continue to work ambitiously toward further improvement! By supporting the efforts of Main Street Wilmington with a contribution, you can be a part of real and meaningful positive change in Wilmington! Each dollar you invest will produce a return to our local economy.
Please support the efforts of Main Street Wilmington with a contribution today! Online donations can be made by visiting our website at www.downtownvisions.org/support
