Wilmington Renaissance Corporation to Launch First Artist Housing in Wilmington's Creative District, 7/14

Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC) and Creative District housing partner, Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware (ICHDE) will host a kick-off event to announce the renovations of the first artist's housing development for homeownership entitled, Willing Street Artist Village to be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 3pm on the corner of 6th and Willing Streets in Wilmington.

Governor Jack Markell, Mayor Dennis P. Williams, Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi, Rick Gessner ICHDE Chair and Capital One 360 Vice President as well as Glenn Moore WRC Chair and Delmarva Power Vice President will be among the guests speaking at the event. This is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather an inside location will be announced.

Located in the Historic neighborhood of Quaker Hill, Willing Street Artist Village will offer 6 buildings (all currently vacant) that will be redeveloped into 10 total housing units as 7 condos and 3 single family homes with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms and 850 - 1400 square feet. All with have separate studio/work spaces and are anticipated to be priced from $60,000 to $70,000 for one-bedroom condos and $125,000 to $140,000 for single family homes. For more information on artist housing and studio opportunities, contact: Laura@BigIdeasWilmington.com.

Wilmington's Creative District is a part of a national wave of creative placemaking initiatives that seek to transform urban areas. The project encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Shipley and Washington Streets and is supported by a strong collaboration from a variety of partners from the private and public sectors; Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, Chris White Community Development Corporation, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Quaker Hill Neighborhood, City of Wilmington, Delaware State Housing Authority.

The project will continue the momentum of LOMA and Market Street. The Creative District will be focused on creative production and consumption, a place where creative entrepreneurs - artists, musicians, designers, tech innovators, makers and manufacturers - and neighborhood residents thrive and where locally designed goods and original works are made and consumed. This revitalization will engage the community - current and future residents, as well as civic and business leaders - In a wide range of initiatives and programs that include; affordable housing, greening and streetscape projects, real estate development, programming and community engagement activities, public art and public performance projects, and centers for creative entrepreneurship.

About Wilmington Renaissance Corporation - WRC was founded in 199 and is privately funded, nonpartisan nonprofit organization. WRC's mission is to invigorate downtown Wilmington through strategies and projects that stimulate the city's economy and vitality and that solidify it as a center of educational, cultural and social activity and an exciting place to live, work and visit. Some of WRC's ground breaking projects include renovation of the rejuvenated downtown LOMA neighborhood; the establishment of the innovative Delaware College of Art and Design; the attraction of world-class cycling competition; and the creation highly successful four-year public art program. WRC's core strategic initiative is the convener of Wilmington's Creative District (CD), a vibrant city center, focused on innovative production and consumption, where creative entrepreneurs - artists, musicians, designers and tech innovators - and neighborhood residents thrive and where locally designed goods and original works are made and consumed. This was an outstanding networking and marketing opportunity and supported the individuals and organizations that are making Wilmington a better place to live, work, play and learn. BigIdeasWilmington.com

About Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware - Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, Inc. (ICHDE) is a not-for-profit development corporation that strengthens Delaware communities and services low- and moderate-income households. ICHDE was founded more than 40 years ago and is currently the largest statewide, not-for-profit community housing organization in Delaware. Ichde.org