By Mike Finney

DOVER — The Downtown Dover Partnership will complete a community survey Sunday.

The questionnaire is part of a six-month process, and the results are being used to guide the future of Dover’s central business district and nearby blocks, with significant transformation targeted by 2030.

Mosaic Development Partners of Philadelphia is leading the initiative.

“Surveying community members in several ways informs Mosaic’s initial understanding of the current state, as well as opportunities and priorities for the future,” said Mosaic’s Greg Reaves. “This input enables collaborative development of a plan customized for Dover. We have found that the Dover community is enthusiastically embracing this process and is very excited about proactively planning for the future of the capital city.”

The partnership has received 552 survey responses. There have also been 30 stakeholder interviews and focus groups to collect information from more than 100 area leaders.

“Further engagement will involve transportation and design charrettes, as well as two public meetings in which community members will be able to provide feedback,” Downtown Dover Partnership executive director Diane Laird said.

“Conceptual drawings of a transformed capital city will reveal new possibilities in how we move in and out of the district, how vacant and underutilized lots could be converted to new uses, including some green space, and exciting residential opportunities to allow many more people to live in the downtown.”

The comprehensive master plan will then provide recommendations on areas of focus, including transportation and connectivity from the anchors of Delaware State University, Bayhealth and Dover Air Force Base into the business district; green/open space; increasing the residential population; and business and workforce opportunities. Trends in the economy, business projects and how people are living and working will be incorporated.

Investment and redevelopment strategies will also be addressed to proactively transform the capital city over the next eight to 10 years. Target completion of the master plan is this fall.

All community members and those familiar with downtown Dover are encouraged to take five minutes to complete the survey, which can be found here.