UPDATED – Wilmo Rising: The LOMA Vibe is Awesome
Update:
When I wrote this I didn’t know who the players were, but this article is a pretty good primer on who gets the props : Lee Mikles & Patrick Callahan of the Archer Group, Christian Winburn & Don Meginley of Preservation Initiatives, The Queen Theater’s Hal Real, Developer Rob Buccini, Investor Mike Schwartz, The New Wilmington Art Association’s Michael Kalmbach, Developer David Holden, The Wilmington City Council and Mayor’s Office.
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Amtrak, DCCA, 2nd & LOMA, Del Tech, DSU, Light Up the Queen Theater, LOMA Design District, World Cafe Live, DCAD, Coffee, Hipsters, Tapas Bars, people on the sidewalk after 5:00? OMG, this is Wilmington?
I don’t know who the players are, so I don’t know who to send the props out to, but there is some alchemy at work in WIlmington and there is no doubt that the entire state will benefit.
Based on the vibe (and economic impact) of last night’s “Ignite Wilmington” event, it is easy to see that the rebranding of Market Street below the Grand is taking. The “roll up the sidewalks at 5:00” sensibility has been trampled by a “if you build it cool, they will come” ethic. The interior design of the Queen theater was perhaps the most startling sign of that new sensibility.
It is not a reproduction of a great theater, but a re-imagining of what a great modern performance space can be inside of an old beaten up performance space. Where you would expect to see rebuilt plaster crown moldings and an attempt at gold leaf, there are layers of paint exposed like the growth rings of a tree. Frankly, the effect is initially a little bit Mad Max-y. It is a theater to view a civilization rising from the ashes of some unknown apocalypse. But turn around and you are facing a bar with a friendly and attentive wait staff. Amazing.
If this all seems hyperbolic, check it out for yourself. It is a treat and just another thing to like about living in Delaware.
I had a great time last night. I loved what they did to The Queen. Amazing! We plan on hanging out there a lot.
Exactly where is this on Market Street? I don’t get up there a lot with time to sight-see, but this sounds pretty cool. Are they doing movies or live theatre? Oh, lest I forget, how are the drink prices? I know in NYC in the district buying a beer at intermission requires a 2nd mortgage.
The theater is at 5th & Market. I can’t speak to the drink prices because I freeloaded on Pandora’s tab.
The Queen will end up being someone’s tax loss. And don’t even compare Joe Biden Train Station neighborhood to NYC theater district. It’s more like the Bronx or Williamsburg, Brooklyn. You might get a cheap drink there. Downtown Wilmo is a shithole and always will be.
Partying in cavernous Art Deco wrecks is commonplace in NYC. It is a good vibe. Sorry I missed it.
Win/win. Now hipsters like anon don’t have to schlep all the way up to NYC and anti-hipsters like delbert have more to moan about.
Another idiot comparing Wilmo to NYC.
Just clicked on the “tapas bar” link and had to laugh.
“Welcome to Orillas (pronounce, Orijas).”
I’m so blanco that the pronunciation guide doesn’t help me.
How was the drive in to the city for you? Did you pray you didn’t get any redlights and have to look at the trash or make eye contact with the citizens?
the “vibe” before you make it to your destination really makes you want to roll up the windows doesn’t it?
Short of taking care of that problem, I don’t see how any “re-branding” of Wilmington will work.
Getting in and out of the city without having to worry about being a victim of crime will hobble any and all efforts.
As a former NYC resident I can tell you I spent approximately zero time in the Theater District. All the good bars and restaurants are in the neighborhoods; all the good shows are Off Broadway.
Amen to that, donviti. But as with any animal, when you “make eye contact” you can’t show fear.
I know I don’t post here much and will probably not be allowed back after this comment, but, a couple of comments just royally pissed me off.
To D & D (you know who you are) – when was the last time you even came into downtown Wilmington? While everyone knows going into any urban setting these days can be scary, Wilmington has made every effort to make people feel safe when attending functions – police presence, Downtown Visions.
Why don’t you guys just go hang out at a venue where you’ll feel a lot safer in the burbs – Like Delaware Park parking lot?
I didn’t have any worries about my safety.
Why don’t you guys just go hang out at a venue where you’ll feel a lot safer in the burbs – Like Delaware Park parking lot?
Try again.
anon, that’s what the Blue Gal was referencing, I think.
Good to see you posting here, Blu Gal!
I live within 6 blocks of downtown Wilmington and walk to Market St, Rodney Square (for festival events), Theater N, the Riverfront all of the time. And walk back home too — late at night. It can be scary to be anyplace these days and the folks I know whose cars were broken into or mugged had this happen in the ‘burbs. But it is useful for folks to avoid the city by focusing on having to roll up the windows.
There is an amazing group of people who are working hard at creating something interesting in Wilmington and it is really too bad that this work doesn’t get better visibility. In addition to the stuff that Jason noted, there is a new jazz club on Orange St, great restaurants on Market (with more in the planning stages), Theater N, a great co-working space and other sparks of energy in downtown.
Yes, Skippertee, you are correct. Okay, let me simplify my comment.
First, I was defending the safety of downtown Wilmington.
Second, I was sarcastically recommending to those who would comment negatively about the safety of downtown Wilmington that they would be better off just staying in the suburbs and attending venues outside Wilmington where they would feel safer – for example Delaware Park – where there was yet another parking lot robbery.
Please let me know if anyone needs further clarification.
As a city resident I make it a point to patronize city establishments. But street smarts are a must in any city. D & D (love that Blu Gal) don’t demonstrate a lot of smarts.
There are great dining/entertainment/cultural choices downtown, and all seem to be doing well.
We parked several blocks away last night and didn’t fear for our lives walking to our car.
I’m with ya, Pandora. Bought my house in the city in the mid-80’s. Immediately got into city venues for food, entertainment, etc.
After living in DE for a while, discovered that most folks who grew up in DE are, indeed, afraid of Wilmington. I really couldn’t figure out their fear until a friend from Middletown relayed the story of the ’68 riots to me. One thing I do know, Delawareans sure have long memories!
Example – the first spring after I bought my house, put hanging baskets on my front porch. Was told by several old timers in the neighborhood that nobody put up hanging baskets because one year someone came through and stole all the hanging baskets! After asking around, found that that occurred like 7-8 years prior!
After my baskets survived, lots of people on the block had hanging baskets the next year!!!
Same with going to downtown Wilmington – lifelong Delawareans are still fearful (usually ignorantly as they haven’t been there in years or ever) where transplants like me are, not necessarily fearless, but, have enough street smarts to be aware of surroundings, thus enjoy what Wilmington has to offer.
Blue Gal: Would you really want them down there? Wouldn’t they kind of, y’know, kill the coolness? The NYC theater district is full of tourists. If/when LoMa starts attracting tourists, they’ll be around.
Exactly, Geezer! And they’d be the first ones saying, “This area could really use an Olive Garden.”
I saw someone wishing for an Olive Garden or one of those chain places at the Riverfront once they open the movie theater. The Joe’s place is plenty of that, I think….
More than enough.
First time a minor mugging goes fatal it’ll be all over. You inda hood.
Second, I was sarcastically recommending to those who would comment negatively about the safety of downtown Wilmington that they would be better off just staying in the suburbs and attending venues outside Wilmington where they would feel safer – for example Delaware Park – where there was yet another parking lot robbery.
Please let me know if anyone needs further clarification.
for the record I lived in Hedgeville from 1996 until 2004. My kids attended St. Hedwig’s until the school closed. My drive into Wilmington was then and is now when I visit a friend at the riverfront down the Martin Luther King Blvd entrance.
For the people of N. Wilmington to get downtown to a Blue Rocks game, this is the route they have to take. A whopping 4 blocks from Adams Four area.
It’s shitpit. It’s not a good place at all. There are shootings int the area. When I lived there I had my car stolen and I was threatened at knife point and had a rock the size of a baseball winged at my dome during a basketball game.
You can try to dress up this turd all you want, but until you remove the blight far enough away from the on and off exits of 95 all the good work going on isn’t going to mean shit.
@ reis, I was paying 4 or 5 bucks per pint of Guinness. I can’t nail it down because I tip extravagantly. With the ticket you could get a Yuengling or a glass of wine. The Queen is hot, check out the schedule here.
I took DART into and out of town. I left Wilmington from 4th & King at 8:15pm. If you’re uncomfortable with people that don’t resemble you stay the fuck home. I’ve been on the streets of Wilmington after closing the Barn Door or the Del Haven and have never had an issue.
I even drove my discs up Market St. at 3am. It all comes down to this: if you’re scared, say so. If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.
“…but there is some alchemy at work in WIlmington and there is no doubt that the entire state will benefit.”
I’m guessing the only way it could possibly benefit Sussex County is that more people will be staying in New Castle County for their diversions rather than coming to the beach?
Hell yeah!
That would be a lazy guess. For every dollar spent on the arts in Wilmington, there is a 9 to 11x multiplier effect for the economy. There is no way that a more economically viable Wilmington does not create a more economically healthy state.
Sussex Countians never have to emerge from their bunkers to feel the impact.
updated. h/t DB
vacant store fronts are so much better than an Olive Garden.
Ha! Olive Garden! My next favorite place to get diarrhea…number one being, of course, Red Lobster.
About the city, it ain’t the city; it’s all the fear comes from the enlarged conservative Fear Brain
Must be like having that 80s Maxwell tune in your head…all.the.time.
From an evolutionary perspective, it no doubt helps with tribal survivability if a few of the tribe’s members have the larger than normal fear centers in the brain. When those members of the tribe make all the key decisions, something is out of whack.
The flower blossoms from the center.
The best news of all is that the detractors become even more of a minority with every small success that is shown. The flip side is that their irrational vitriol based on outdated data only increases when they feel like they might have to concede.
Side note: the term “gentrification” is pejorative for a reason.