By Glenn Rolfe

SEAFORD — Over the last decade or so, downtown Seaford has sprung to life, a rejuvenating transformation due in part to the city’s Downtown Development District designation awarded by the state of Delaware.

“When we went in for our designation, downtown was probably at a 95% vacancy rate,” said Seaford economic development director Trisha Newcomer. “You are pretty hard-pressed to find a commercial spot in downtown now.”

In January 2015, then-Gov. Jack Markell announced the designations of Seaford, Dover and Wilmington as Delaware’s first three Downtown Development Districts. Today, there are 12 such districts.

The city’s initial district designation expires in 2025. At the June Tuesday meeting, council authorized staff to proceed with plans to seek a five-year extension, which would run through 2030. Another five-year extension is possible at that time.

High Street was the primary focus of the initial district. The target area in a hopeful extension is Front Street.

“We really want to push and drive energy on that Front Street corridor,” said Ms. Newcomer, noting Habitat for Humanity projects in the area.

“Definitely, the interest is there. The developers are well-versed in this program. So we want to make sure we continue our designation to be able to allow them to do that,” she said.

The designation offers a number of incentives for property owners and developers. These include tax credits, rebates and county and city incentives.h

City-based incentives include a reinvestment tax incentive, C-3 zoning administrative waiver, fee reductions, sidewalk loan, C-3 facade improvement program and water and sewer tap fee relief.

To date, the city has had success with the program, with 36 projects and others in the pipeline. Four were recipients of large grants, which require reservation in advance of the project.

“Where we have really seen the success downtown is the small grants. These are residential, commercial, mixed use,” Ms. Newcomer said.

“So, all encompassing, we’ve had over $30 million of private investment that has been leveraged against the $2.9 million of rebates from the state, county incentives and city incentives, which is s pretty good return on investment.”

July 1 is the deadline for submission of the extension request.

“Basically, the same plan but with a focus,” Ms. Newcomer said.

Mayor Matt MacCoy said he has experienced positive feedback.

“To see some of things you guys have done with the businesses and to hear it from the business owners,” Mayor MacCoy said. “And to be fortunate to be on this side of it, to see it come to fruition is an awesome experience.”

“Definitely, a team effort,” said Ms. Newcomer. “It’s hard to believe that we’ve had our DDD designation for a period of 10 years. I can honestly say … being part of this transformation probably has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, to see the transformation in downtown that has happened the last 10 years.”