DELAWARE — Delaware residents will have an opportunity to help shape the future of the historic downtown district as the city begins updating the architectural design standards that guide preservation and development projects.
The city of Delaware recently launched a public survey seeking feedback from residents, business owners, property owners and visitors on everything from historic preservation priorities to redevelopment opportunities.
The idea is to develop design guidelines that preserve the “character, history, and unique identity” of the city of Delaware, and community feedback will help determine the future of downtown’s architectural and design elements, and other defining features.
At the same time, the effort aims to modernize the standards that govern Delaware’s historic district, making them easier for property owners and businesses to understand and navigate.
“This is a project that’s been on our radar for a few years,” said Anna Kelsey, the city’s planning and zoning administrator. “Now that we have finished updating the full Zoning Code, we are able to turn our attention to the standards.”
According to Kelsey, the city’s current standards are outdated and can be difficult for property owners to interpret.
“We want to modernize them and make it easier for property owners and business owners in the downtown historic district to preserve and restore their buildings,” she said.
The update comes as downtown Delaware continues to see investment in building renovations, upper-floor housing projects and redevelopment efforts that often require review under the city’s historic preservation rules.
What’s in the survey
The survey asks participants to weigh in on a variety of preservation and development topics.
Residents can identify which priorities should receive the most attention in future standards, including historic preservation, making the application process easier, reducing vacancies and maintaining Delaware’s architectural character.
Participants are asked to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current preservation efforts, identify threats facing historic buildings and suggest opportunities for improvement.
The survey also includes an interactive mapping component that allows participants to identify buildings they believe are historically significant and should be preserved.
“The feedback from the community will directly influence the new Architectural Design Guidelines,” the survey states.
Preservation and development
Kelsey said the city views historic preservation and economic development as complementary goals rather than competing priorities.
“Historic preservation can be a tool for economic development,” Kelsey said. “Having a thriving, walkable historic district is a draw for businesses.”
She also emphasized the importance of gathering broad community feedback because of downtown’s role in the city.
“Our downtown historic district is the heart of our community, so it is important that we get feedback from all who live, work, or visit that area,” Kelsey said.
One question included in the survey asks participants whether future standards should be more flexible or more rigid, while another asks residents to rank preservation-related priorities.
What’s next
The city is still in the early stages of the project, and Kelsey said it is too early to know whether the process could affect future preservation priorities or historic district boundaries.
“That is unclear at this time,” Kelsey said. “We will know more once we get the result of the survey.”
The city’s goal is to finalize the updated Architectural Design Standards by the end of 2026 and move them through the formal approval process during the first quarter of 2027.
Residents can complete the survey online through the city’s website.
