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An Educational Renaissance
The Bridge is set to redefine Downtown Wilmington’s landscape
BY THÈRE DU PONT | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HOMSEY STUDIO AT TEVEBAUGH ARCHITECTURE
WILMINGTON’S DOWNTOWN landscape is about to witness a transformative journey—one marked by innovation, collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to empower communities through education. In the fall of 2027, The Bridge—a new and completely unique center of higher education—will open in what is now Bank of America’s last remaining corporate office in the Bracebridge II building at 1020 N. French Street. The Bridge will welcome more than 2,000 university students, faculty, and staff, bringing new life, energy, and economic vitality to downtown Wilmington.
The Bridge is the next academic development of the Community Education Building, Corp. (CEB), the nonprofit educational organization founded by the Longwood Foundation. The CEB already transformed another Bank of America building—Bracebridge IV—at 1200 N. French Street, into a thriving K-12 education collaborative comprising educational partners Kuumba Academy, High Road School of Delaware, and Great Oaks High School. The CEB is also home to University of Delaware’s (UD) Associate of Arts Program (AAP), a two-year higher-ed environment providing alternative University access to local students.
Founded in 2012, the CEB is a community-centered, vertical collaborative that holistically integrates programs and resources for students and their families, ensuring that every student has an equitable opportunity to succeed. According to CEB’s Chief Executive Officer Linda Jennings, “When we close the opportunity gap by providing resources and opportunities, educational outcomes will improve and students will experience post-secondary success.”
The CEB serves as a hub for the entire family. A wide array of resources and services provided by seven resident nonprofit partners and over 40 network partners who meet students and families where they are and support their continued growth and success. As the collaborative quarterback, CEB coordinates and aligns partner activities, while also providing direct services, including career navigation, housing assistance, one-on-one student advocacy, a Family Food Market, workforce development programs, and mental health services. Together with their partner network, CEB works to ensure that all students, regardless of their race or zip code, are prepared for the next step in their educational journey and that every graduate is on a path to success in life after high school.
“This model leads to deeper family engagement in their children’s learning, allows schools to focus on teaching and learning, and ultimately results in student success,” says Jennings.
CEB data show that 95% of attending K-12 students are African American or Hispanic, and 72% live in Wilmington. Approximately 75% are Medicare eligible, and many reside in areas where 40% of the population live well below the poverty level and only 8% come from twoparent households. CEB data also show that students participating in their academic programs post high school graduation rates of 92%, which is higher than public school graduation rates for the City of Wilmington and the state of Delaware.
The CEB will now expand their successful model to undergraduate and graduate school programs to be located at The Bridge. While negotiations with prospective higher education partners are still ongoing, CEB expects Widener Law School (WLS) to relocate to The Bridge and be joined by an expansion of Delaware State University’s (DSU) College of Health & Behavioral Sciences and a replication of their Early College High School program. The DSU Early College program provides its students with an opportunity to earn college credit prior to matriculating to a four-year campus.
Consistent with CEB’s wraparound service model in their existing building, the plan is to complement higher education programs with community organizations to expand experiential learning opportunities and solutions to community problems.
At The Bridge, the targeted resident community organizations include Delaware Health Equity Coalition, providers of preventative primary health care services; ZipCode Wilmington, specialists in software coding education; and End Community Violence Now, a new community collaborative aimed at eliminating the root causes of neighborhood gun violence.
“This ensemble of academic programs and community organizations will create a totally unique learning environment focused on rigorous, experiential academic studies and expanded university access to local Wilmingtonians,” Jennings stated. “Ultimately, participating institutions at The Bridge will seek solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing Wilmington and other cities today,” Jennings added.
The Bridge heralds not just a new chapter in the city’s skyline but a beacon of hope for generations to come. It will make a substantial contribution to the state’s economy. Students, faculty, and staff at The Bridge will drive demand for housing, food, and services downtown, which, based on per capital impacts at other Delaware colleges, is expected to generate more than $250 million annually for the state economy.
From its roots in the CEB, to its ambitious expansion into higher education, The Bridge stands as a testament to the power of collective vision and purpose. The Bridge embodies a holistic approach to education—one that transcends traditional boundaries, embraces diversity, and champions equitable opportunities for all. It is a testament to what can be achieved when we bridge the gaps that divide us and unite in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.
Thère du Pont is president of Longwood Foundation.
