Dover mayor's 2024 State of the City address talks violence, economic development

DOVER – The Dover City Council’s Tuesday meeting featured several large agenda items. It saw not only the election of a new council president in David Anderson, but Mayor Robin R. Christiansen’s State of the City address as well.

“Today I’m here to report to the citizens of Dover, that we, like many other communities across this state, and our nation faced many challenges, such as public safety, growth concerns, financial sustainability, and social issues,” said Mayor Christiansen.

“We are a strong, viable community who embraces opportunity and hard work, so that those who dream will realize the full potential, like a better life for them and their children.”

The mayor pointed to public safety and how the Dover Police Department faces a staffing shortage amid a surge of recent homicides.

“So many people’s lives have been impacted and changed forever. This violent behavior is totally uncalled for and will not be tolerated,” he said. “It must stop today. The only upside to this is the quick clearance of these crimes and the apprehension of those who committed now this was not caught accomplished.”

The mayor praised the “good old-fashioned” police work and community cooperation that have resulted in arrests for these crimes.

Mayor Christiansen thanked the Dover Fire Department and hinted at the city’s new emergency medical services provider Ambulnz, thanking St. Francis Healthcare for its past five years of service.

The mayor also spoke of economic growth in the city, giving a shout out to the Kent County Economic Partnership and the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce. He mentioned the Delmarva Box Company, a new major employer coming to the city, and the expansion of legacy Dover businesses like Kraft Heinz and Energizer.

The mayor said the city is moving toward a joint-use agreement with Dover Air Force Base, which would allow shipping companies to set up shop in the city, and possibly commercial airlines could too. He said the deal is close to being signed.

Mayor Christiansen made a brief mention of the Dover’s revitalization efforts, noting the variety of businesses making their way into the city recently, like Crumbl Cookie and Rail Haus.

He also touched on homelessness, recognizing NeighborGood Partners and Habitat for Humanity for building new houses.

“Not all those who need a home, have a home or shelter and I continue to look forward to the Unsheltered Working Group’s continued efforts to work toward a solution for those issues and the root causes that contribute to those situations,” said Mayor Christiansen.

He finished his speech by looking to the future.

“This evening, we stand ready to meet the challenges of today. While we look toward a bright future for all of our citizens, I ask each of you here in this chamber and in the audience in the inner city to join with mayor and council and our city staff to make a bright future for everyone,” he said.

“I continue as I have believed throughout my entire life to believe in Dover and I hope that you believe in Dover too.”