WILMINGTON 2028
A comprehensive plan for our city and communities
Wilmington is a historic, diverse and unique city but also physically divided. In the last 20 years, Wilmington’s downtown and riverfront have been dramatically transformed. New mixed-use development and renovated historic buildings, park improvements and pedestrian infrastructure have been credited with the in-migration of new residents and an increasingly vibrant street life.
But revitalization is uneven in the neighborhoods and the city as a whole as other neighborhoods continue to exhibit high unemployment, persistent poverty, vacancy, and blight, impacting resident opportunity and quality of life as well as the city’s economic vitality.
The legacy of the 1960s still impacts the city’s urban form, with the construction of I-95 and urban renewal creating new block patterns and barriers between neighborhoods. The city’s streets are designed to move automobiles and huge portions of the city center are devoted to parking at the expense of walkable and bikeable connections.
There is a strong need to improve all of Wilmington’s neighborhoods and reconnect the city. This process begins with establishing a city-wide vision, necessary work that shapes an important element of a comprehensive plan. Prior to this plan, the City had not undertaken a full comprehensive plan re-write since the 1960s. The Wilmington 2028 comprehensive plan aims to strengthen quality of life by underscoring the link between physical and social connectivity, resident opportunity, neighborhood health, and economic development, paving the way for coordinated investment for a more integrated and competitive city.
The plan helps to coordinate existing work and momentum in the city, takes stock of the assets and challenges, and helps residents see the city in a new light. Most importantly, it is a citywide dialogue to develop a collective vision.
Over 2,500 people weighed in
Everyone with a stake in the city – whether they live, work or visit – was invited to share their insights and vision for the city. A survey about the City generated over 2,300 responses, 5 public forums have been held in different locations around the city, and a final rollout of the plan was held at a festive family-friendly event at the Delaware Children Museum.
Since the completion of the plan in 2019, Wilmington has been building its reputation: "Wilmington is Becoming the It City Next Door" - Philadelphia Magazine.
10 THEMES emerged for the plan to address:
1. We need more residents to support more businesses and make the city more vibrant.
2. This will also support more amenities, activities, and the mix of uses that make city life distinct.
3. We need to invest in neighborhoods and their residents.
4. We need to build healthy communities and help kids succeed.
5. We need to focus on crime and build community resistence.
6. We need to secure our environmental health and prepare for climate change.
7. We need a more inclusive, diverse and resilient economy.
8. We need more ways to get around and streets that don’t just funnel traffic in and out.
9. We need to put our best foot forward and market the good things happening the city.
10. We need to support community efforts and better coordinate between them.
