Show Notes
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Deputy Community Services Director Ken Mavrogeorge and City Engineer Jillian Semprini about the construction projects underway across Dover. The conversation begins with how projects move from the Capital Improvements Program through design and engineering before any work begins, noting that a major reconstruction like Horne Street can require 10 to 12 months of design plus public input meetings, followed by 18 months to two years of construction.
A central focus is the Central Avenue water main project, replacing infrastructure roughly 150 years old, with future phases planned southward from Broadway to Washington Street to Silver Street. Mavrogeorge explains the city's shift toward keeping good roads good while improving the worst, expanding paving and reclamation work as reconstruction costs climb (Court Street alone nears $10 million). They discuss complete streets principles, bike lanes, sharrows, and how public meetings and polls shape decisions, citing the Fifth and Grove one-way conversion that added parking and improved safety. Other highlights include the Henry Law Avenue and Payne Street reconstruction, downtown bump-outs and lighting, roundabouts for safety and lower operating costs, and accessibility upgrades at parks and ballfields. They also note the Jenny Thompson pool, library renovation, and court resurfacing wrapping up this summer, plus project web pages available on the city site.
In This Week in Dover History, we begin a month-long look at Dover's role in the American Revolution and 1776, focusing on the Association Test, a loyalty oath that forced residents, including the area's pacifist Quakers, to declare themselves patriots or risk treason.
More from Dover Download
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Maruca, who has led the authority since March 2026 after joining as deputy director in 2023, shares how a teenage landscaping job at the Newmarket Housing Authority grew into a career in subsidized housing. She says that hands-on experience shapes her respect for her maintenance and administrative staff.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton about the FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program, presented to the City Council and Planning Board on Oct. 7.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about September's board, committee and commission meetings.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits. Haven is the Seacoast's domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and support agency. It was formed through the merger of A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services. Beebe explains that the new name was chosen deliberately to make clear its services are for anyone affected, including men, teens, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and family members.