Block Parties, Jazz Nights and More at the Rock Lot this Summer

Thanks to the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation's Creative District initiative the revitalization is moving westward of Market Street and the LOMA district. Neighborhoods are truly blossoming.

The Creative District encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Market and Washington Streets. Within this district, at 305 W. 8th Street there is a gem of a place called the Rock Lot. This beautiful artistic cove is designed to bring the local community together. Join us for a variety of complimentary events at the Rock Lot this summer:

• Wednesday  5/30, 6/6, and 6/13- Jazz Nights, 6-7 pm. Artists are Alfie Moss & The Dexter Koonce Project, Sharon Sable Quartet, and Terra Soul.

Leading up to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Creative District Wilmington is teaming up with Market Street Music to bring well-known jazz musicians to the green space in the heart of the district.

• Saturday 6/9- Lending Library Kick-Off, 1-3 pm. 

A community lending library is coming to The Rock Lot and in order to celebrate its opening, we’ve invited Bryce Bullock, nine-year-old comic book creator and author, to read his latest work!

• Saturdays 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, and 7/14- Reading Series, 1-2 pm

While kids are home on summer break, Creative District Wilmington partners up with the Wilmington Public Library and members of the community to host a series of reading events at the Rock Lot.

• Wednesday, June 27th Spoken word night  “Outspoken” 6-7 pm 

Host Christian Wills, the creative mind behind Sweet Jams!, the spoken word nights at UDairy Creamery’s Market Street location, is bringing OutSpoken! to the Rock Lot! The spoken word nights are open-mic events and the public is invited to participate!

• Wednesday, July 11, 18, 25 Capoiera

Join Chris Devany of ASCAB Capoeira Delaware at the Rock Lot to experience an interactive session of this creative 16th-century art form.

• Saturday, July 28th – Community Dinner

Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship. All are welcome. (Grown and prepared by William Penn High School culinary students.)

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Making Market Street Beautiful & Welcoming Again: Downtown Visions Security Gate Removal Program

721 N. Market Street receives a face lift and has their security gate removed thanks to Downtown Vision's Main Street Wilmington program. 

One of the first things you notice when you pull onto Market Street for the first time are the gorgeous, colorful historical buildings. What you may not know, is that at one time these beautiful storefronts were somewhat hidden by unsightly security gates. Thanks to Downtown Visions and their Main Street Wilmington Program, many of the gates have been removed.

The goal of removing the security gates was to not only improve the overall atmosphere of Market Street, but to also encourage growth and redevelopment. Perception is critical and new businesses and residents feel much more welcome in an area without security gates. 

Wilmington is not the only city taking down the gates, in 2009, New York City Council voted to ban the kind of security gates that completely shield commercial storefront windows and doors from view — ones that resemble old-fashioned auto garage doors. Removal of solid gates are also a safety precaution, officers and firefighters now have the ability to look inside in an emergency.

Downtown Visions is proud to be paving the way in Wilmington, completely funding the removal project. Security gate removal grants are paid for 100% by Downtown Visions under the Main Street Wilmington program to improve the property value and appearance of each approved applicants. Thus far, Downtown Visions is proud to have removed  27 security gates. 

Lani Schweiger, Main Street Wilmington Project & Communication Coordinator explained, "The original external security gates were very dated.  By removing them it makes the Downtown area look better aesthetically and allows potential customers to view window displays after hours."

701 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE

723 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab