About DTV
Downtown Visions is the management company for the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID), also known as an assessment or special services district, supported by mandatory assessments on real property and governed by a private-public Board of Directors.
The BID encompasses 70 blocks and more than 730 properties. Click here to view a map of the district boundaries.
Downtown Visions was formed in 1994 with the passing of House Bill 387, sponsored by then State Representative Joe DiPinto. This bill allowed for the creation of business improvement districts in the state of Delaware. In September of that year, Wilmington City Council passed an ordinance, sponsored by then-council president James M. Baker, which created WDBID, or Downtown Visions, a private, nonprofit organization committed to keeping downtown Wilmington clean, safe & attractive. DTV was originally authorized for a period of 5 years to provide premium security, cleaning and promotion services that enhance but do not replace, both basic services provided by the City of Wilmington and the responsibilities of individual property owners. In 1998, Downtown Visions was reauthorized by City Council for a period of 10 years, through 2009.
More recently, at the end of 2006, we were reauthorized once again for a 10 year period. This extension will enable us to significantly improve upon and expand our services, including becoming a key partner in the City's Main Street Initiative.
Did you know that over the first 10 years in operation, Downtown Visions...
- Assisted in over 5,000 emergency situations (includes fire, medical, property damage & disabled vehicles.
- Provided over 358,642 Merchant Contacts & Special Attentions (including checks on parking lots/garages).
- Assisted Police in 2,247 Apprehensions.
- Removed 1,521,730 pounds of trash from the Business Improvement District.
- Provided security/assistance at over 3,556 events.
- Assisted in dispersing over 15,000 intoxication/disorderly conduct/nuisance incidents.
- Provided 8,256 escorts to people downtown.
