Nonprofit Spotlight: Downtown Visions

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

Have you ever spotted a bumblebee-striped worker on Market Street in downtown Wilmington and wondered what they were up to? These friendly faces are ambassadors for Downtown Visions, a nonprofit leading the charge to make Wilmington cleaner, safer, and more vibrant.

The idea for Downtown Visions began in the early 1990s, when a group of top Wilmington business leaders were inspired by successful efforts in other cities and formed Wilmington 2000 to improve the city’s business climate. Their first major initiative was to create a business improvement district (BID), a geographic area where property owners and businesses collaborate to fund and manage improvements within the district. After several evolutions, Downtown Visions officially launched in November 1994 and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The nonprofit initially focused on keeping downtown Wilmington clean and safe, starting with a small team of ambassadors working mainly on Market Street between 4th and 11th streets. Executive Director Mike Maggiti elaborates, “Today, the program has grown to 45 ambassadors covering 72 square blocks, nearly all of downtown. We operate seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight, in what I call a familybusiness style. With 50 people, everyone knows each other’s stories about their kids, their spouses, and the ups and downs. It really feels like a family, which is wonderful.”

As the organization grew, it launched several key initiatives to strengthen safety and digital access for downtown businesses. One of the first was the Video Safety Partnership, a collaboration with the Wilmington Police Department to improve communication and security among the major corporate campuses downtown. At the time, these companies lacked a coordinated way to share information during incidents. “We began using Nextel devices, allowing real-time communication between about 10 businesses, Downtown Visions, and the police department. This way, everyone could be informed in real time,” Maggiti explains.

Around 2008, the organization implemented its version of the Main Street America initiative. Developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the program aims to rejuvenate aging downtowns through a multifaceted approach that includes historic preservation, small business support, communications, and marketing.

Today, Downtown Visions views the Main Street program as the third pillar of its operations, alongside its core efforts in cleaning and safety. “While the city’s Division of Economic Development focuses on attracting large corporations and institutions, we focus on supporting the ‘little guys.’ These are the small businesses, family-run shops, and local entrepreneurs who form the heart of downtown. Our in-house team provides training, marketing assistance, event support, underwriting services for renovations, and, in some cases, even microgrants to help improve their facilities,” Maggiti says.

After several evolutions, Downtown Visions officially launched in November 1994 and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Downtown Visions supports local businesses and community through people-focused programs like the Dine Downtown Deal, which rewards patrons for visiting restaurants from January to March. Another popular initiative, City Sounds Block Parties, brings live music, local food, and a festive atmosphere to different downtown locations five times a year.

“Of course, these events take resources,” says Maggiti. “But what really makes them special is the people — volunteers, neighbors, and local businesses — coming together to create something positive. If you’re looking to get involved, there’s always a place for you in building a stronger downtown.”