Capital City 2030 about to take off
By Mike Finne | Posted Thursday, September 24, 2026 10:41 am
Downtown Dover Partnership shares updates on revitalization plan
Greg Reaves, the founder and CEO of Mosaic Development Partners, is confident that the Capital City 2030: Transforming Downtown Dover plan will be a success.
DOVER — It’s about to get very busy along the streets of downtown.
That’s because the Capital City 2030: Transforming Downtown Dover plan is taking shape, according to Diane Laird, the executive director of the Downtown Dover Partnership, who provided details at The Hive on Loockerman on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
“We have 300 trucks coming over five weeks’ time, and that’s all going to be starting about mid-October, the actual erection of the (Downtown Dover Mobility Center),” Laird said.
“And 120 S. Governors (a mixed-use development) that will be known as ‘The Governor’ has an additional refinement to the facade that’s more in keeping with the historical landscape.”
Laird added that the pace is about to reach a fever pitch and that residents should see the framework of the garage by the end of the year.
Then, in spring 2027, construction on The Governor — with apartments, a grocery store, perhaps a coffee shop and other amenities — will begin, across the street from the mobility center.
Laird also shared news at Tuesday’s gathering, which was designed to provide details about the project’s status. “We’re excited about what we will see in the next four months with the area where the Santa House currently is, (off Loockerman Street),” she said.
“They’re going to be putting in two homestyle restaurants there that will be spilling out ... with outdoor seating — and indoor, as well —and about 35 market-grade apartments.”
Greg Reaves, the founder and CEO of Philadelphia’s Mosaic Development Partners, agreed that the capital’s revitalization will be successful, as he’s overseen such development before.
“The reason we built the plan was because we thought it was so important to reenergize the downtown district,” he noted. “When we worked with DDP and the other community members, our promise was that new energy needs to come to downtown communities to bring the livelihood back.
“Not only did we study (Dover), but we interviewed about 1,000 residents about what they thought was right and what they thought wasn’t working. ... We do know what works, but we need to know what works in Dover. That’s the biggest thing.”
City Councilmember David Anderson is aware of several people who are expecting the upgrades to fail, but he isn’t among them.
“All of a sudden, with the next couple of weeks, people are going to see a building go up — and that’s going to change the game,” Anderson, who serves the 4th District, said Tuesday. “This will add a new vibrancy and a demand on services, as well, like restaurants and other services.”
The councilman did admit, however, that there are some crime-related issues in the area that need to be addressed before significant change can happen.
“I think this is all a positive thing, and quite frankly, we need to stand up the downtown policing unit so that everything comes together,” he stated. “I think, if we can bring it all together, it can be a completely different downtown.”
Michael Lewis serves on Dover’s Planning Commission, and he pointed out at the meeting that he has been impressed as every detail of the revitalization cleared his group.
“We’ve been supportive of the whole initiative, and we’re excited to see it move forward,” he said. “2030 is just around the corner, and it’s good for the community to see actual structures coming up.
“This gives a chance for people who are in the middle of it to see what the future can look like, and it’s a very positive one.”
City resident Calvin Sparks attended Tuesday to check in on the work’s progress. He also acknowledged that some changes will need to be made.
“Before we could ever (revitalize downtown), we’re going to have to clean up some of the blight and have some pride in the things that are around here,” he noted.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen overnight, but I think this is a good idea, and I think the parking garage is a good idea. I’d like to think this is a step in the right direction.”
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