Downtown Millsboro Committee Meeting - March 23, 2026

The Downtown Millsboro Committee met on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. to discuss the revival of the Millsboro Farmers Market, the town's application for the Downtown Development District program, potential code amendments for downtown aesthetics, and a mural project for the bridge and other downtown locations. The meeting included a presentation by artist Olga DeShields and concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to adopt the agenda: made, seconded, all in favor, carried.
• Motion to approve the committee minutes from November 20, 2025: made, seconded, all in favor, carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Update on Millsboro Farmers Market: Town Manager Jamie Burke and Assistant Town Manager Ashley Sander reported that the market is ready to launch. Market managers have been selected, and the market will run Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., starting June 6, 2026. The market will be held at the same location as before. Marketing materials are available at town hall. Vendors are being solicited, including past vendors from the now-defunct Georgetown farmers market. The town will charge a one-day business license fee of $15.50 or an annual license of $50 (the lowest in the county). Dogs will not be allowed, and raw milk will be prohibited for the first year due to liability concerns. Sixteen volunteers have expressed interest in assisting. The committee discussed using insulated shopping bags as promotional giveaways, costing under $4 each. The market will also participate in the town's July 4th celebration on June 27, 2026.
• Update on Downtown Development District (DDD) Program: Ashley Sander attended a mandatory state meeting. Millsboro is one of 13 towns competing for three spots in the DDD program. The application deadline is end of June 2026. A town council resolution supporting the application is needed in May. The program offers a 20% rebate on brick-and-mortar renovation costs for private investments in the downtown district. Millsboro currently has a population of ~8,600, which allows it to remain in the lower tier (up to 9,000 residents) with a smaller footprint (~120-125 acres). The town can expand the district after the next census if population exceeds 9,000. Key projects must be identified; the theater was mentioned as a candidate. The committee noted that gun shops, liquor stores, and adult entertainment businesses are ineligible, but churches are eligible. The town will need to lobby the governor's office for support.
• Discuss Potential Code Amendments for Downtown Aesthetics and Facades: The committee discussed the need to improve property maintenance and signage downtown. Some landlords are not maintaining their buildings or providing adequate signage for tenants. The committee suggested inviting the town's code enforcement officer to a future meeting to discuss current issues. The committee also agreed to coordinate with the Code and Charter Committee to review and update property maintenance codes. Ideas included consistent signage, especially at public parking lots, to direct visitors. The committee noted that the town is working with Mountaire to install a 10x20 welcome sign at the Route 24 entrance to Main Street. Del Tech's property near the fire hall was discussed as a potential public parking area, similar to a previous arrangement with the fire hall. The committee also discussed potential one-way street conversions with angled parking to add 50-60 spaces, and upgrading town-owned signage (e.g., snow route signs).
• Discuss Other Goals of the Downtown Millsboro Committee: The committee discussed next steps, including a presentation by artist Olga DeShields on mural concepts. Olga DeShields, a muralist from Snow Hill, Maryland, presented preliminary designs for the bridge just east of downtown. Concepts included a postage-stamp design incorporating elements of Millsboro's history (agriculture, Nanticoke tribe, mills, John Jay Williams). She also showed a simpler flag-themed design. The committee debated the bridge's suitability due to poor maintenance, visibility, and height. Some members preferred using the mural on other downtown walls, such as the old police station, the white wall of the Truitt's Carpet building, or the Dollar General yellow wall across from the Chamber of Commerce. The committee also discussed a community art project for the July 4th celebration, where children could paint panels that would be installed permanently. Olga DeShields offered to create a simpler flag design for the bridge, which could be completed by June 27. The committee agreed to explore sponsorships from local corporations (e.g., Mountaire, Merck). Additionally, the committee noted a bus stop outside the post office lacks a shelter; they will inquire with DelDOT or DART about adding a covered shelter.

Key Outcomes

• The Millsboro Farmers Market will launch June 6, 2026, with a no-dogs and no-raw-milk policy for the first year.
• The town will proceed with the Downtown Development District application, with a resolution needed at the May council meeting.
• The committee will invite the code enforcement officer to a future meeting and work with the Code and Charter Committee to review property maintenance codes and signage standards.
• The committee will collaborate with artist Olga DeShields on a mural for the bridge, likely a simpler flag design, and explore community art panels for the July 4th celebration. Olga will provide a quote for materials and a revised design.
• The committee will pursue a bus shelter at the post office stop through DelDOT or DART.
• The committee will attend the state's downtown organization quarterly meeting for networking and grant opportunities.
• The meeting was adjourned by motion.