The Downtown Farmer's Market in Rodney Square is Back This Summer!

It’s official! One of Downtown Wilmington’s most beloved traditions will return to Rodney Square this summer!

The 2021 season of the Downtown Wilmington Farmer’s Market at Rodney Square will kick off on June 2nd and operate every Wednesday, rain or shine, through October 27th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

Centrally located on Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets, the recently renovated Rodney Square is the perfect place for a hump-day pick-me-up!

Choose from a variety of food trucks for lunch, purchase one-of-a-kind handmade items from local artisans, and relax at one of the many shaded café tables. The Farmer’s Market also offers an array of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers to brighten your day!

Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for the most up to date information on participating vendors, live music, and more!

Compassionate Cliff: Downtown Visions Ambassador Helps Citizen to Safety

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Downtown Visions Cleaning Ambassador Cliff Fitzgerald was out on his morning rounds one Sunday when he came across someone in need of his help. Downtown business owner, Victor Battaglia, accidentally injured himself and was without a phone or the keys to his office. Without a second thought, Cliff rushed to help him and get him to the hospital.

Mr. Battaglia wrote to the Downtown Visions office to share his experience and how grateful he was for Cliff’s assistance. Though this incident is rare, the compassion shown by Cliff is not. Cliff is a a true example of our values as an organization, and could not be more deserving of this praise.

Please read an excerpt of Mr. Battaglia’s letter below and understand just how willing to help our Ambassadors are at all times:

“I write to thank you for kindness shown to me by Cliff Fitzgerald on Sunday April 25, 2021.

On that day, I had gone to work for a client at about 8:50 a.m. My son dropped me off at the office, and I entered and put my key to the office and cell phone on the desk. In a short time, I felt the need of coffee. I went out without my keys or phone. It was Sunday and nobody with reasonable distance is open. I walked the street looking for a place. No such thing. Resumed walking to go across the street to parking garage to see if there is a phone. No phone. I went along the walkway in the garage which appeared to me to be about 4 inches above the drive way. I tried to step off the walkway to the driveway and when I did, I fell and injured myself.

As I lay on the ground, for about 5 minutes, no one stopped in the garage on or on the street.

Then I spotted your vehicle and Cliff. Problem solved. I don't know if I would have bled to death if not for him. He got me to go to the hospital and the cure was started.

I had to lengthen this letter because I want you to know the great kindness of your employee and what appeared to be my recovery.

Thank you for him and thank him for me. He is not only a good employee he is both kind and thoughtful.”

In case you didn’t know, Downtown Visions Ambassadors offer cleaning and safety support 7 days a week in the Downtown Central Business District. Next time you see one of our uniformed ambassadors (in bright yellow clothing), don’t hesitate to approach them and request information about downtown! They can give you directions, information on restaurants, hotels and local shops — just ask. You can also request a free safety escort by calling (302) 425-4200 x1 to request a free Safety Escort anywhere within the neighborhood during operating hours from 6AM to 12AM.

Downtown Visions Safety Ambassador Praised on Brandywine Buzz!

In a post on Brandywine Buzz, local blogger Tracy Murphy details her recent experience with Downtown Visions Safety Ambassador, Reggie, who assisted with the return of lost property. Reggie couldn’t be more deserving of the praise, and we thank Tracy for the kind words!

In case you didn’t know, Downtown Visions Ambassadors offer cleaning and safety support 7 days a week in the Downtown Central Business District. 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. Next time you see one of our uniformed ambassadors (in bright yellow clothing), don’t hesitate to approach them and request information about downtown! They can give you directions, information on restaurants, hotels and local shops — just ask. You can also request a free safety escort by calling (302) 425-4200 x1 to request a free Safety Escort anywhere within the neighborhood during operating hours from 6AM to 12AM.

Read an excerpt of Tracy’s experience below:

“I decided to attend a public event declaring racism a public health crisis (it is) and, since I would be in downtown Wilmington, I added on a lunch with a board member. This was the kind of thing I did ALL THE TIME in the before times. Looked at the calendar, figured out based on location and timing what else I could squeeze in, arranged it. I did this in my sleep in the before times.

So, I parked the car on Market Street and went to park using the parkmobile app but it had been so long since I had used it that the card had expired so I used my last 5 quarters to park (relevant later) and walked to the event. For late-April, it was FREEZING and afterward, I hustled back to my car to move it to a spot closer to the restaurant and put a dime in the meter and figured I’d get to the restaurant, order a hot beverage, and re-do the parking app while I waited.

Except when I reached into my bag to get my wallet to use the credit card to update the app, no wallet. I dash to the car, retrace my steps, look in the car, no wallet. Panic sets in. All I can picture is spending the next week dealing with cancelling cards, disputing charges, getting a new license, and then the real panic - my vaccine card was in there. UGHHHH. Actual panic. Sweating, short of breath, heart racing. Just panic. I spend the next ten minutes on the phone, alerting my Chase card, husband, and board member; the lovely restaurant host was so helpful when I couldn’t even pay for my hot tea; and then I walked back out to my car and THE DOWNTOWN VISIONS GUY WALKING BY WAS HOLDING MY WALLET.

Seriously. Like, he walked by me with my wallet. After confirming it was mine, we peeked inside - cash, cards, license and holy vaccine card inside! Panic abated, leading to sheer elation. Showing him my vaccine card, I asked if he’d accept a hug from a fully vaccinated Delawarean. He said yes, and so that is the story of how hugs are back and how I don’t know how to live in the world anymore.”

Click here to read the full story on Brandywine Buzz.

We want your feedback: 2021 Downtown Benchmark Survey!

Downtown Visions want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to complete our 2021 Benchmark Survey so that we can better serve our Downtown Wilmington, DE community. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Click here to download a sharable flyer

FREE Parking in Downtown Wilmington DE

There are plenty of free parking options to accommodate residents and visitors, and with extended Curbside valet options taking a trip Downtown has never been easier!

You can continue to take advantage of FREE valet parking during Curbside Wilmington on Friday and Saturday nights through May 2021. The valet station is centrally located at the corner of 7th & Market Streets.

Downtown residents may park in any of the following Colonial Parking lots for a discounted rate as well! Starting May 1, 2021, they are offering a resident rate of $50.00/month on the surface lots located at 5th & Orange Street, 6th & Orange Street, and 7th & Orange Street, plus a $25/month rate at the 8th & West Street Lot. Contact Colonial directly at 302.651.3600 to take advantage of this offer!

Additionally, the Wilmington Parking Authority lot at 8th & Orange Streets is free and open to the public if you enter after 6 pm during the week and all day on the weekends. Del-Tech is also providing free parking to support Lower Market Street businesses in Lot 4 on the Southwest Corner of 2nd & Shipley Streets through June 30, 2021. Please be advised that overnight parking in the Del-Tech lot is not permitted.

This public parking map is complete with maximum daily rates*, garage, and open lot locations as well as information on metered parking so your next trip into Wilmington, DE is easy breezy. Special thanks to Colonial Parking, Wilmington Parking Authority, SP+, Downtown Visions, and The City of Wilmington, DE for compiling this information.

*Rates are subject to change without notice.