Widener Law School Moves to Downtown Wilmington

The $250 million Bridge Project brings more students, faculty, and economic opportunities to Delaware's largest city.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:58pm

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A bold, abstract silkscreen illustration featuring a repeating pattern of stacked law books in vibrant neon colors, conceptually representing the influx of educational resources and economic opportunities coming to Wilmington through the Bridge Project.The relocation of Widener Law School to downtown Wilmington will bring a surge of students, faculty, and economic activity to the city's urban core.Wilmington Today

Widener University Delaware Law School announced it will be moving from the suburbs to a new downtown Wilmington location as part of the $250 million Bridge Project, which is transforming three renovated buildings in Rodney Square into a hub for education, nonprofits, and community services. The law school will join other programs from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University, bringing over 2,000 students, faculty, and staff to the city and boosting the local economy.

Why it matters

The influx of students, faculty, and staff to downtown Wilmington is expected to drive increased foot traffic and demand for local businesses like restaurants, coffee shops, and apartments, providing an economic boost to the city's core. The Bridge Project also consolidates multiple educational and community resources in a central location, making them more accessible to residents.

The details

The Bridge Project encompasses three renovated buildings totaling 550,000 square feet in Rodney Square. In addition to Widener Law School, the location will house a community education building, a YMCA, University of Delaware associate's degree programs, and a public health and nursing program for Delaware State University. Widener's move will also bring its popular free legal help programs to downtown Wilmington.

  • Widener University Delaware Law School will move to the new downtown Wilmington location for the 2027-2028 school year.
  • The $250 million Bridge Project is a public-private partnership that has been in development over the past year.

The players

Widener University Delaware Law School

A law school that is part of Widener University and will be relocating from the suburbs to downtown Wilmington as part of the Bridge Project.

Bank of America

Donated vacant buildings off Rodney Square in Wilmington that are being renovated as part of the Bridge Project.

Thére Dupont

Representative of the Longwood Foundation, which is involved in the Bridge Project.

Todd Clark

Dean of Widener University Delaware Law School.

Jason Aviles

Owner of Green Box Kitchen, a restaurant on Market Street in Wilmington.

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What they’re saying

“Today, there are four schools with six carefully curated resident nonprofits.”

— Thére Dupont, Longwood Foundation

“Over the past year, we did over 38,500 hours between our clinics and our externships and internships for pro bono related type work. I mean, that work will happen now within the city.”

— Todd Clark, Dean, Widener University Delaware Law School

“So, they're going to be looking for apartments. They don't need dry cleaners these days, but they're going to be looking for coffee shops, restaurants bars. Those are all entrepreneurial opportunities for Wilmingtonians to bring something special to the community at large.”

— Thére Dupont, Longwood Foundation

“Listen, we will take every little bit of the people coming into the city. We want it. We welcome it. We invite it, and we need it.”

— Jason Aviles, Owner, Green Box Kitchen

What’s next

The Bridge Project is expected to be completed in time for Widener Law School to move into the new downtown Wilmington location for the 2027-2028 academic year.

The takeaway

The relocation of Widener Law School to downtown Wilmington is a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the city's urban core. By consolidating multiple educational and community resources in a central location, the Bridge Project aims to drive increased foot traffic, economic activity, and quality of life improvements for Wilmington residents.