PRESS RELEASE: Councilmember Spadola Urges Continued Neighborhood Plowing, Small Business Access, Pedestrian Safety, and Snow Hauling
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Councilmember Spadola Urges Continued Neighborhood Plowing, Small Business Access, Pedestrian Safety, and Snow Hauling
Wilmington, DE – As Wilmington navigates a once-in-a-decade snow event, At-Large City Councilmember James Spadola is applauding the tireless work of Public Works crews while advocating for a continued focus on tertiary streets, public transit access, and small businesses.
“Our City crews are working hard-as-hell in grueling conditions,” said Councilmember Spadola. “Primary roads are open, but the mission isn’t over until every side street and tertiary streets in neighborhoods across our city is passable. We have residents who are struggling to navigate out of their parking spot on the street, and very concerned about finding a spot to park when they return home”.
Councilmember Spadola emphasized that recovery must also include transit-dependent residents and pedestrians. “We need to ensure that areas around public transit routes and stops are clear and that pedestrian crossings are safe and accessible. Our seniors need to be able to catch a bus or cross the street to the pharmacy.”
“The City has begun snow hauling and extraction and those efforts should be continued and maximized. Contracting with private parking lots to dump snow should be considered as well, and any other option to get the snow off our streets as it won’t melt anytime soon. Public Works has made real progress under extremely challenging conditions,” Councilmember Spadola said. “Let’s keep the momentum going until every street is safe and every storefront is accessible”.
In addition to residential mobility, Councilmember Spadola highlighted the mounting economic pressure on Wilmington’s small businesses. He has heard directly from small business owners whose operations are being impacted because street parking lanes remain covered in snow. He encourages the administration to continue with snow extraction to remove snow from City streets entirely, and contract with private parking lots as needed.
“Small businesses are already struggling, and they can’t afford to stay closed or miss out on customers for a week,” Councilmember Spadola added. “Clearing driving lanes is step one, but we must also remove the snow from street parking spots so our small business entrepreneurs can serve residents and make payroll.”
Councilmember Spadola will continue to advocate for residents by relaying neighborhood concerns to the Administration and Public Works to help ensure full visibility into remaining service gaps.
Residents experiencing emergencies should call 911. Non-emergency snow-related issues should be reported through Wilmington 311, which remains the City’s primary intake system for service requests. Residents are also welcome to contact Councilmember Spadola at jnspadola@wilmingtonde.gov to ensure a concern has been properly routed, or if they have any issues with 311.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications, Wilmington City CouncilOffice: (302)576-2585
Mobile: (302)757-5748Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com