Who Are Those Individuals Wearing Bright Yellow in Downtown Wilmington?

2018 Downtown Visions Ambassador Training Academy Graduates

Curious who the folks are wearing bright yellow in Wilmington, DE?

Join us in congratulating 13 of our newest cleaning & safety ambassadors that completed a two weeks academy and are now actively serving in Downtown Wilmington!

The academy provides an in-depth review of policies, practices & procedures including customer service training, patrol tactics, expectations of ambassadors, trained weaponless defense and conflict de-escalation training through the Wilmington Police Department.

Downtown Visions employs more than 30 uniformed Safety Ambassadors to assist the Wilmington Police Department in keeping Downtown Wilmington safe as well as provide public services. 

Each Safety Ambassador receives over 80 hours of in-house training in addition to field training on topics such as crime prevention, customer service, local history and local attractions. 

Every Ambassador wears a distinctive black and yellow uniform and carries a two-way radio. You can find our Safety Ambassadors patrolling the BID on foot and on bikes. Feel free to approach our Safety Ambassadors and request information about downtown. They can give you directions, information on restaurants, hotels and local shops — just ask!

Need an escort or a helping hand to assist you in getting to your vehicle? Call (302) 425-4200 x1 to request a free Safety Escort anywhere within the neighborhood, seven days a week; Monday – Friday 8:15 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.; weekends 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. 

A Stunning Food Hall is Coming to Downtown Wilmington!

A Food Hall is on its way to the Historic DuPont Building and we couldn't be more excited! Not only will it provide entrepreneurial chefs with a place to launch their business idea...the space is gorgeous!

Everyone gets excited for lunchtime and in late 2018 it will be even better in Downtown Wilmington! DE.CO — short for Delaware Collective is on its way!

“Wilmington’s newly thriving food scene is reaching a turning point, and DE.CO’s convenient location at the heart of the dynamic mid-Atlantic makes it a magnet for culinary talent that will draw locals and visitors alike downtown,” says Seawall’s Peter DiPrinzio, who developed Baltimore’s wildly successful food hall, R. House. “DE.CO will feel like a lively restaurant and bar, and will serve as a gathering place throughout the day in into the night: for coffee with friends, a lunch meeting among co-workers, date night for couples or weekend brunch with the whole family.”

Check out these articles featuring coverage of the story.

Wilmington to get its 1st food hall, Philadelphia Business Journal

New food hall opening in DuPont Building later this year, Delaware Online

Announcing DE.CO, Wilmington’s Forthcoming Food Hall with Eight Chef-Driven Kitchens, Bpgroup.net

City of Wilmington Announces FREE Youth Recreational Programs for the Fall and Winter Seasons

Post provided by The City of Wilmington

Free recreational, educational and cultural activities are being offered
at nine locations around the City for youths aged 8 to 17 through next April
 
Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Parks and Recreation Director Kevin F. Kelly, Sr., today encouraged Wilmington’s younger people between the ages of 8 and 17 to partake of free recreational, educational and cultural activities being offered during the fall and winter at nine sites around the City. Activities include tutoring, homework assistance, aerobics, basketball, tennis and board games among others. Programming at the nine locations will be offered from now through next April.

“Our younger citizens need positive activities to help them mature and learn how to deal with various life circumstances,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Our Parks and Recreation staff engages with youths and teens to provide positive alternatives in a safe and nurturing environment. We want to offer as many programs as possible and to keep those programs going throughout the year. We know that Wilmington’s young people and their families appreciate these opportunities.”

Mayor Purzycki and Director Kelly today thanked the schools and other agencies that have worked with the City to provide sites for the fall and winter programming. They include:

Bancroft Elementary School
700 Lombard Street
Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
 
Bayard Middle School
200 South DuPont Street
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
 
Elbert-Palmer Elementary School
1210 Lobdell Street
Monday and Wednesday
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Kingswood Community Center
2300 Bowers DuPont Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Police Athletic League of Wilmington (PAL Center)
3707 North Market Street
Monday through Thursday
 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
P.S. DuPont Middle School
701 West 34th Street
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
 
Sarah Pyle Academy
501 North Lombard Street
Monday and Wednesday
5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
Southbridge Neighborhood House
1218 B Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 
Warner Elementary School  
801 West 18th Street
Monday through Thursday
5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Grow Delaware Fund Provides $5 Million in Support Loans to Small Businesses in Delaware!

There is a new initiative to support small businesses in Wilmington and throughout the State of Delaware! The Grow Delaware Fund – will provide $5 million to support loans to small businesses in Delaware that are seeking to strengthen their operations and grow jobs.

The new program, the Grow Delaware Fund, will offer loans from $150,000 to $4 million, subject to guidelines and loan fund availability. Loans can be used for things like: 

• *Working Capital - to be repaid over 10 years
• *Machinery and Equipment - to be repaid over 10 years
• *Real estate acquisitions/renovation of owner-occupied businesses - to be repaid over 25 years
• *Tenant improvements - to be repaid over the life of the lease
• *Refinancing existing debts

Press on the project can be found below. Join us in congratulating The West End Neighborhood House, The Longwood Foundation, Discover Bank, Department of State Division of Small Business Development and Tourism and the National Development Council and all those who worked so hard for this project that will play a major key in economic development.

http://www.wdel.com/news/video-state-looking-to-recreate-wilmington-s-success-launches-grow/article_a499cbb2-c337-11e7-b7fe-4f3e86329dab.html

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2017/11/07/grow-delaware-fund-aims-help-small-businesses-grow-and-create-jobs/837156001/

Just Three Meetings Left! Join Us & Make an Impact on Your City!

Mayor Mike Purzycki and City Planning Director Herb Inden announced that Wilmington is moving into the second phase of its year-long, community-driven process to develop a new citywide comprehensive plan. The new comp plan, which is entitled “Wilmington 2028,” will guide growth and development across the City for the next decade. The next phase involves a series of five public meetings throughout the City at which citizens are invited to drop by and offer additional comments and ideas about the comp plan. There are only three meetings left, so be sure to join in to make an impact on your city!

• Where: Woodlawn Library, 2020 West 9th Street

When: Tuesday, November 14, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Southbridge Neighborhood House, 1218 B Street

When: Tuesday, November 21, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Mt. Carmel United Church, 800 North Walnut Street

When: Thursday, November 30, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.