Workshops to improve Loockerman Street in Dover start Monday

DOVER — The Loockerman Street design study team will hold a charrette Monday through May 15 for residents, business owners and stakeholders to give input about revitalizing the downtown artery.

The team includes the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the city of Dover, Kittleson & Associates engineering firm and the Downtown Dover Partnership.

Hosted at The Hive on Loockerman, 28 W. Loockerman St., the three-day event includes a series of meetings and activities to identify needs and share ideas for enhancing the area:

• Day 1 — Understanding the Corridor. There will be an event orientation at 9:30 a.m., followed by a walk along Loockerman Street. After a lunch break, participants will engage in teamwork sessions, and Monday will culminate with an open house and presentation at 5 p.m.
• Day 2 — Reimagining the Corridor. Tuesday will focus on reimagining the location, with discussions tailored for businesses, neighborhoods and stakeholders, such as the Delaware Department of Transportation, DART and the city. The event will end with another teamwork session, aimed at synthesizing insights.
• Day 3 — Bringing Corridor Ideas to Life. During teamwork sessions, attendees will delve deeper into refining ideas. A lunchtime open house from 11:30-1:30 will offer broader community engagement opportunities. The day will finish with a dinnertime open house and presentation from 5-6:30.

Drop-ins throughout the charrette are welcomed.

“We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey to shape the future of Loockerman Street,” said Marilyn Smith, executive director of the Dover/Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization. “The charrette embodies our commitment to inclusive community engagement and sets the stage for transformative change.”

For information and to participate, call the organization at 302-387-6030.