Dear 8th District residents,
Happy New Year! Here's an update on neighborhood news as we start 2023. As always, please don't hesitate to give me a call if you have a concern. I'm here to help. Sincerely,
Nathan Field
8th District City Councilman
Cellphone: 302-530-6626
Email: Nrfield@wilmingtonde.gov
Facebook: Fieldfordistrict8
Rockford Winter Lights & Commemorative Painting
To add warmth in these cold dark days of winter when the sun sets by 5pm, I worked with the Public Works Department to illuminate Wilmington's most famous landmark by night.
Click below to watch NBC 10 Philadelphia's coverage of this initiative:
Fifty (Free) Commemorative Prints Available to Rockford Tower Lovers:
To strengthen local community spirit, I commissioned a painting by neighborhood artist Rachel van Wylen. She painted the view from 19th Street, using her interpretation of the style of famous painter Edward Hopper.
A free 16x20 poster is available to the first fifty people who plan to hang it prominently in their home, office, doctor's office, school, bar, restaurant, or business. Scroll to bottom of page for more information.
Rockford Tower will be open to the public on Saturday January 14th from 6pm to 7pm if you want to see the lights up close at night.
They will stay up until February 15th.
Promoting Highly Responsive local government in 2023
What do you think I need to focus on in 2023 as your neighborhood's City Council representative?
Please take 2 minutes (or more if you want) to share any thoughts you may have by taking this online survey.
Remember to take full advantage of the City's 311 System.
For most issues, 311 is by far the quickest way to get a problem resolved.
Congrats to New Wilmington Police chief
Yesterday Mayor Mike Purzycki announced that Captain Wilfredo Campos has been selected as our new Police Chief. He replaces the current chief Robert Tracy, who will take over the St. Louis, Missouri department.
Captain Campos is quite familiar to those who have attended neighborhood association meetings in recent years. He is known for his responsiveness and strong community outreach.
I have been very impressed with the professionalism of both the incoming and outgoing Chiefs.
Both Cities are in good hands.
Two new good books on Wilmington History
We are lucky to live in a city with the kind of interesting history that people frequently write about.
Here are two recently published books that I highly recommend:
Kevin McGonegal's "Wicked WIlmington" features a series of well researched infamous crime stories from Old Time Wilmington.
Local historian John Riley wrote a biography of "Porky" Oliver, PGA legend, city resident, and the namesake of the course on Greenhill Avenue.
Spring & Summer Beautification Project: 8 new utility box murals at key intersections
Last summer, I worked with the Delaware Avenue Community Assocation to have artists paint murals on 18 graffiti covered utility boxes in and around Trolley Square.
See pictures of those murals plus artist bios here.
To continue to add new beauty to Wilmington, murals will be sponsored on 8 eight additional boxes along Pennsylvania Avenue. The Call to Artists will go out on in March.
I've also been excited to work with Council Members from other Districts to spread beautiful Public Art to other neighborhoods.
Coming Soon: Expanding Wilmington's Walkability through Completion of restoration of Mill Road Trail
It has taken longer than first expected due to the need to design a new culvert, but we are in position to see construction by Spring 2023.
This is an old factory worker's trail that has long been abandoned, but by cleaning it up, making it safer, and adding a connecting staircase, it will add significant new walking options for city residents.
Resolving Issues of Overly Bright LED Lights
Some concerns were raised about the overly bright LED lights that were installed last November. I have been working with Delmarva and the City to make sure the concerns of neighbors are being addressed.
Investing ARPA Money in the 8th District in 2023
Each City council member has been allocated $100,000 of the overall $55 million given to the City of Wilmington as part of the American Rescue Plan, passed by the US Congress in 2021. One of the effects of Covid is that In person activities and events typically associated with Cities have taken a big hit. Attendance at In person events is often a fraction of what it was. Many places, traditions etc failed to survive the pandemic. After listening carefully to your feedback and given the central ARPA goal of Covid recovery, a main priority for spending this money in 2023 will be to promote events or projects in the 8th District that:
bring people back together to In-person events and activities or draw people out to public areas
promote the city of Wilmington as place where fun, exciting things happen and where people want to spend time
are highly visible and give immediate positive impressions of Wilmington. For example, "show case gardens" at key intersections
can be complimented with funds from other sources and the easier to implement the better
the higher the "bang" for the Dollar, the better
Outside the box ideas are strongly encouraged
If you have an idea please fill out this survey or contact me directly to discuss Are you interested in helping plan and implement a project? Generating corporate matches? Sharing expertise in an area (i.e. showcase gardening)?
How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree
"Wilmington’s Public Works Commissioner Kelly Williams announced today that the City will begin collecting discarded Christmas trees on regularly scheduled recycling days throughout the month of January. Starting this week, residents should place their trees at the curb for collection minus any decorations, lights, or tree stands. NO artificial trees will be collected. Trees must be brought to the curb between 6 p.m. the day before collection and 4 a.m. the day of collection." Latest on Gibraltar
As your City Council representative, I continue to monitor in great detail all Gibraltar-related developments. I will continue to immediately inform you whenever there is new information.
There is nothing new to report since my last newsletter other than that the potential developers are studying options that they may pursue.
When will the Bancroft Mills Bridge reopen?
The bridge has been closed since September 2021 due to damage sustained during a flood.
Highlands 5k Organizers Raises $13,500 for Rockford Park
Special thanks and congrats to the organizers of the Highlands 5k. The inaugural race was held on November 23rd, drew 200 racers, and raised $13,500 to support updated bathrooms near the Rockford Tower and a new concert stage for the Rockford Park concert series.
To obtain a copy of the Rockford Winter Lights poster, please send me an email at Nrfield@wilmingtonde.gov