Council member Owens presented a resolution to the intergovernmental committee on June 4 urging the Delaware General Assembly to amend Title 4 of the Delaware Code so the City of Wilmington could extend on‑premises alcohol last call from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Council member Owens said the measure is intended to help Wilmington “compete” for leisure spending, retain and recruit young professionals and help small businesses. “This is more this is about more than just nightlife. It's about making Wilmington, a city that competes, a city that attracts people,” Owens said. He pointed to other cities such as Atlanta, Nashville and Pittsburgh that have extended last call and reported safety or economic benefits.

Council members on the committee expressed support and asked about next steps. Council member Xanthia Oliver said she would cosponsor the resolution and described conversations with county businesses and state legislators. Committee members noted that the General Assembly session ends June 30 and discussed using city lobby resources to pursue the change next year if needed.

Public commenters urged a geographically targeted approach. Benito Edward Blake suggested limiting any extension to core commercial corridors such as Market Street or the shipyard so enforcement and policing could be concentrated; he argued a statewide change would draw objections from areas that do not want later hours. Owens clarified the resolution seeks authority specifically for the City of Wilmington and said certain licensed establishments (for example, those with residential units above them) would not be affected because different license conditions and noise rules apply.

The committee did not adopt the resolution at the intergovernmental meeting; the item was placed on the full city council agenda for consideration at the next council meeting (committee discussion indicated it would be on the city council agenda the following day). Council members asked staff to continue early conversations with state legislators and with a prospective city lobbyist to advance the request to Dover.