Waterfront District Mid-Year Update: Buildings Rise, Park Takes Shape

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Rob Simmons, director of development for Cathartes, and Jamie Stevens, the city's project manager for the Waterfront Project, to discuss the mid-year progress on Dover's waterfront development.

Rob Simmons provides an update on the private development portion, highlighting that the mixed-use buildings are fully framed with roofs installed, allowing interior work to begin. The project includes two main buildings (C and D) with ground-floor commercial spaces and residential units above, plus 23 townhouses in building E. Building C will house a 5,000-square-foot co-work facility and Evan Hennessey's Topolino restaurant, while building D features additional commercial space and a rooftop deck with river views. Simmons notes strong market interest, with plans to potentially start building F (condominiums) later this year and buildings A and B within 18-20 months.

Jamie Stevens discusses the public improvements, including significant progress on the park infrastructure with sidewalk installation around the Riverwalk area and granite curbing work beginning on Main Street. He explains the dramatic eight-to-ten-foot elevation change between the roadway and park level, designed for flood resilience. The park will feature an overlook between the main buildings, a pavilion, lawn areas, and pathways that transition from urban concrete to more natural stone dust surfaces. Stevens also addresses construction challenges, including unexpected discoveries like corroded sheet piles that required design modifications to install a granite wall system.

Both expect completion by Memorial Day 2026, with the apartment buildings opening 5-6 months earlier.