(From the City of Wilmington)
The Wilmington Mayor’s Young Professionals Task Force presented a white paper with recommendations that include additional entertainment and improved transportation.
“The Young Professionals Task Force directly engaged dynamic, young adults to help support the City’s mission to increase the number of young professionals living and working Wilmington,” said Mayor Dennis Williams. “Their energy and perspective are invaluable. With their insights, we can have a more targeted approach as we look to brand Wilmington as a magnet City for young professionals.”
The Mayor’s Young Professional Task Force, is comprised of a group of individuals representing finance, legal, non-profit, education, and government.
The task force proposed specific, progressive ideas geared towards promoting Wilmington as an attractive destination for young professionals and experience the city’s housing options, job market and entertainment venues.
Recoomendations included:
- Increased number of dining and entertainment options.
- Create dynamic parks that are multi-use—parks that would allow the opportunity for community gardens, offer recreation and relaxation options like hammocks, and fenced in dog parks.
- Draw national brands to open retail spaces in downtown Wilmington or on the Riverfront.
- Establish night and weekend transportation options between the Riverfront, Trolley Square and downtown Wilmington.
- Create bike lanes and place public bike racks throughout the city.
- Encourage parking lots to stay open later and reduce the cost so it is more affordable to park in Wilmington.
- Increase signage throughout the city to help guide citizens and visitors, in addition to, defining each neighborhood.
- Implement temporary urbanism—transform vacant lots into vibrant hubs of activity, including beer gardens, night markets with food vendors, or flea markets.
- Establish consistent and regular rail service between Wilmington and Philadelphia.
