Global Technology School Opens with quite a collection

We have an exciting new school opening in Downtown Wilmington.

ACT Generation Global Technology School, is the first Audio& Visual, Communications, and Technology private business and trade school in the State of Delaware.  ACT Generation Global Technology School is part trade, part technology institution working closely with schools,  nonprofits, and religious based organizations partnering with some organizations for the S.T.E.M. Education program.

The school is hoping everyone comes out to learn more and to check out the largest private collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia with more than 5,000 pieces.

I am glad Travis Smith and his team chose Downtown Wilmington as the place to start this great new venture!

Click Here to learn more about this opening event.

I hope to see you there!

Marty

Breaking New Ground

This is exciting!

Our friends at The Buccini/Pollin Group just broke ground on an exciting new project in Downtown Wilmington.

I'll let them explain:

The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG) broke ground this morning on Wilmington’s latest multi-family project: The Residences at Mid-Town Park. Located at 820 N. Orange Street, the former site of the Mid-Town Parking Garage. The development includes 200 apartments in 2 buildings, 12,000sf of retail space and a 511 space parking garage. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $75 million.

The project is significant for several reasons. This marks a major move westerly in the Central Business District of the redevelopment that has taken place over the last several years, largely on Market Street. It also restores much needed public parking to the downtown which has been lacking since the former Mid-Town Parking Garage was condemned.

Joe Van Horn, Operating Partner of Chelsea Tavern, is delighted to see the construction begin. “We are looking forward to serving our new neighbors on a daily basis, and anticipate that the added public parking will drive new business in a positive direction.”

The project will include a private street which separates the 2 apartment buildings. The street will be named Burton Place in honor of former Wilmington City Councilman and Civil Rights Leader, Dutch Burton. It was due to his sit-in at the Eagle Coffee Shop (which was located in the former Mid-Town parking structure) in 1958 that eventually Delaware’s Accommodation Law was overturned.

The Residences at Mid-Town Park will feature cutting edge amenities the Delaware market has not yet seen including a demonstration kitchen and a dog washing station. A courtyard is elevated off Shipley Street that includes an outdoor swimming pool and barbecue area. The Residences at Mid-town Park will also offer residents a fitness center and screening room. The community will include studios, one and two bedroom apartments with stainless-steel appliances, quartz counter tops and high-end finish details throughout.

“We are thrilled to finally be underway in this transformative project for Wilmington and it’s Downtown. A project of this complexity could not be accomplished without extraordinary partners including HUD, the State of Delaware, the City of Wilmington, the Wilmington Parking Authority, NCALL, WSFS, and Barclays. We are truly grateful for all those who made today possible,” explained Robert Buccini, Co-President of The Buccini/Pollin Group.

The parking garage is expected to be completed in winter 2017 with the apartments following in summer 2018.

 I look forward to welcoming new residents and new businesses to Downtown Wilmington.

Marty

Celebrating History Downtown

Downtown Wilmington is packed with the story of immigrant families building and growing our community.

Our friends at the Delaware Historical Society are presenting a program on the immigrant experience on June 30.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

7:00 p.m. 

Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month

with the Delaware Historical Society!

In this special program, 

we will show the short documentary film, Ellis, 

hear the stories of those from around the world 

who have made Delaware their home, 

and view a range of collections objects 

that tell the immigration experience of the First State. 

________

After the program, attendees are invited
to participate in the Ramadan Iftar,
or breaking of the fast at sunset
with traditional foods from the Muslim community.

________ 

Please click here for additional details. 

This program is FREE and open to the public. 

Reservations required deinfo@dehistory.org

or (302) 655-7161

I hope you will join us for this informative event.

Marty

Urban Bike Project

I am excited to share the latest news from the Urban Bike Project. Here's the update from Laura Wilburn, Executive Director with the organization:

Urban Bike Project Makes Bicycling Affordable and Accessible for Wilmington Residents

Urban Bike Project is a non-profit community bicycle shop located at 1500 N. Walnut Street, just outside Wilmington’s downtown district. Our mission is to support Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable, and practical means of transportation and recreation. We believe that walking and biking brings people closer to their surroundings and creates happier, more sustainable communities. Benefits range from safer streets to healthier people, cleaner air to cleaner water, and equal access to reliable transportation regardless of income.

"A lot of times, there's this divide that people draw between environmental sustainability and social sustainability," says Laura Wilburn, executive director of the Urban Bike Project of Wilmington. "[But] when you get down to it, it's one and the same. The reason we care about environmental sustainability is because we care about people."

If you’re interested in learning more about the personal and social benefits of bicycling, incorporating bikes into your fitness or recreation routine, or trying out bike commuting, we can help! We offer a variety of bicycle related services to Wilmington residents:

• Open Shop: Open Shop is open to the public from 6:30pm – 9pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Visitors can shop for affordable used bikes starting from $30, use our tools and stands to repair their bikes with help from volunteer mechanics, and get information about bicycle commuting and local riding. Beginning June 25th we will also be offering Saturday hours from 2:30pm – 5pm!

• Free Bike Program: We offer free commuter bicycles, locks and lights to adults in need of reliable transportation. Interested individuals can apply online at www.urbanbikeproject.com/programs/free-bike-program or stop by our Open Shop hours (6:30pm – 9pm Tuesdays and Thursdays) to get an application. To qualify, applicants must also submit a referral letter from a social service agency.

• Youth Shop: Kids age 8-18 are invited to join us for Youth Shop Wednesday nights from 5pm – 7:30pm. Youth can choose to repair their bikes, volunteer in exchange for shop credit that can be redeemed for parts and accessories, or take mechanics classes to earn a free bike. We also run weekend youth rides for participants during good weather months.

• Earn-A-Bike Programs: We offer Earn-A-Bike programs to local schools and organizations interested in supplementing their existing curriculum with hands on, experiential learning opportunities. Students spend 10 hours learning about safe riding and refurbishing used bikes, which they keep for free at the end of the program.

• Community Outreach Events: Look for us every year at the Wilmington Grand Prix, Hagley Hike n’ Bike, Brandywine Village Riverfest, and more! And don’t forget about our annual Crisp Classic Recreational Ride that takes place every fall for a fun event and a chance to meet other local riders and discover Wilmington’s Northern Delaware Greenway Trail. For a calendar of events, visit www.urbanbikeproject.com/newsevents/calendar

• Helping to make Wilmington more bike friendly: Wilmington is working on lots of exciting bicycle initiatives, from a city-wide bike share to more on-road infrastructure. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more, we can help connect you with the right people! Just stop by Open Shop sometime and ask, or send us an email at urbanbikeproject@gmail.com

Interested in supporting Urban Bike Project? We are always grateful for financial support, donations of bicycles and parts, and most importantly volunteers! As a small organization, our work relies on our volunteers. Volunteers enjoy opportunities to learn new skills, meet fellow bicycle enthusiasts, and reap the rewards of helping others access the benefits of bicycling.

For more information or to get involved, visit our website at www.urbanbikeproject.com or email us at urbanbikeproject@gmail.com.  For the most up-to-date information on news and events, make sure to like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/urbanbikeproject. 

I hope you'll take advantage of this great organization!

Marty

Tech Showcase

Downtown Wilmington is a great place for art and technology.

Our friends at the Technology Forum of Delaware are holding an event on June 22 that you will not want to miss.

I'll let George Rotsch from the Tech Forum explain:

The Technology Forum of Delaware is hosting Tech+Jazz 2016, its second annual “Technologies to Watch Showcase”, to spotlight the compelling technologies and innovations that are inspiring new products, new services, and new businesses in our region. This year, the event will feature over 20 innovations from corporate R&D groups as well as promising technologies from the University of Delaware, and incubators and collaborative workspaces in the region.  

                 

What:                      Tech+Jazz 2016: Technologies to Watch Showcase

When:                     June 22, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Where:                     Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor

Rodney Square, 1000 North King Street Wilmington DE 19801

Website:               www.techforumde.org

I hope you come out to see the exciting things happening in the world of technology!

Marty