Cape Gazette NEWS FRIDAY, APRIL 11- MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 2
Downtown
Continued from page 21
The governor introduced the
program during his State Of the
State speech Jan. 23, urging that
the money be included in fiscal
year 2015's Bond Bill.
"Much of our success as a
state depends upon whether
our cities are safe and vibrant.
We know revitalizing neighbor-
hoods is an important part of
making our streets safer," he
said during the State of the State.
"We can replicate the success
other communities have had in
strengthening neighborhoods,
while also harnessing the attrac-
tion that vibrant downtowns
hold for talented young people
and innovative small businesses."
Traveling to all three counties
April 2, the governor advocated
for a program that will use varied
incentives to promote downtown
growth. Investors would be en-
titled to receive grants of up to
20 percent of their hard costs,
such as exte-
rior, interior
and structural
improvements.
This incentive
is modeled af-
ter a Virginia
program that
has been very
successful in
Jack Markell leveraging sig-
nificant private
investment in underserved areas,
the governor said. Cities and
towns would apply for funds
through a competitive process.
They would submit an overall
plan for improving the down-
town; the plan will be graded;
and a decision will be made on
need and the quality of plan,
Markell said. He said money
will not just be handed out to
anyone who applies. Receiving
funding would take real effort,
he said, and the towns would
have to come up with their own
thoughtful plans. Before any of
the money is available the Gener-
al Assembly must pass enabling
legislation and fund the program.
How Downtown Development Districts work:
- Investors invest at least $25,000 in a project before the
incentive kicks in.
- Grants would be available to for-profit builders and inves-
tors, nonprofit organizations, businesses and homeowners. The
incentive would apply to residential, mixed-use, commercial,
and industrial projects in DDDs.
- Grants would be capped at a level.to be determined by
the Delaware State Housing Authority. The legislation allows
the authority to set additional eligibility requirements and
conditions for receiving grants through the program, These
cap levels, conditions, and eligibility requirements would be
subject to adjustment by the housing authority in future years.
Markell said this is the type of
program that should receive bi-
partisan support. There's nothing
about reviving downtowns that is
Democratic or Republican, the
governor said. He said legislators
are looking for the most efficient
use of tax dollars, and this type
of program has shown to be a
very good return on investment
in other states. He pointed to
Petersburg, Va.; Bethlehem, Pa.;
and areas of Philadelphia where
similar programs have encour-
aged revitalization.
v0n ntJcH itn .urE SHmnC m,,,. Cell: 302-542-9318
18756 Coastal Hwy., #6, Rehoboth Beach ° Office: 302.226.3770 :
DOWNTOWN REHOBOTH
THE WILMINGTON
Less than 2 blocks
to the beach
and only 1 block to Rehoboth Ave.
Open floorplan, Tastefully furnished.
2 assigned parking spaces. Built-in pool,
elevator for wheelchair access.
Potential rental income $25,000+.
$534,500
Bill Peiffer, Associate Broker
NTH
FRIDAY
I 8PM
SIC
SATURDAY
8PM -
It's Blues... with a Funk Edge!
An extraordinary singer,
songwriter & bass pla00erl
Candidates file for statewideseats
In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from
Wilmington, filed for re-election with the Delaware Department of
Elections Tuesday, April 8. Coons is in his first term, having been
elected in 2010 after defeating Republican candidate Christine
O'Donnell in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Joe Biden
after he was elected vice president. Coons has no opponents.
In the U.S. House of Representatives race, Scott Gesty, a Libertar-
ian from Wilmington, filed his paperwork March 24. This is not the
first time Gesty has thrown his hat into a U.S. congressional race. In
2012, he was defeated by Congressman John Camey, who has not yet
filed for re-election. The filing deadline for all candidates in July 8.
with our
pull-out shelves.
Perfect for:
• Kitchens
• Closets
• Pantries
• Bathrooms
Custom made for your existing cabinets.
Sta00ing at
$99
302-703-2376
organizationinnovations.com
April 20th • 9AM
FREE PARKING
18385 Coastal Highway
302-644-2500
BefhanyBlues.com
