Milford is getting national attention for one of its streets.
The American Planning Association named the town’s Walnut Street one of its 10 Great Streets for 2013.
The designation is part of the APA’s annual Great Places in America program, which recognizes streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that set the standard for cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and vision for the future.
The APA praised the 5-block stretch of Walnut Street’s for its historic architecture, unique local businesses, and arts community. It also recognized Milford’s multi-million dollar revitalization of the area.
In 1995, the town’s revitalization committee Downtown Milford Incorporated began a $2.2 million revitalization effort in public and private investments. Over the next five years, the town made various sidewalk and street improvements, enhanced erosion control and added the Riverwalk along the Mispillion River.
Milford’s city planner Gary Norris said that the town highlighted this vast improvement in their application to the APA.
“The city of Milford, particularly Walnut Street, had various floods and various economic challenges," said Norris. "We were able to meet those challenges and exceed our expectations and we are continuing to work on making Walnut Street a great street.”
Lee Nelson, Executive Director Downtown Milford Incorporated, says says investing in downtown riverfront helped Walnut Street thrive.
“Certainly having the downtown look attractive and having the Mispillion River be an attractive place to walk along with the boardwalk really made it a total package," said Nelson. "Everybody benefits and everybody works together and in fact people have come down and return to downtown.”
Milford also made a commitment in 2007 to restore Much of Walnut Street’s historic look by removing utility poles, burying power lines, and adding benches, sidewalk planters, and historic lighting.
Walnut Street was included Delaware's Main Streets program in 2008.
