LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Rehoboth Avenue Construction: What's going on here? |
by Fay Jacobs |
Now that the center of Rehoboth Avenue is torn up, everyone is beginning to ask, "what exactly are they doing, when will it be done, and what will it look like when it's finished."
We have the answers. Back in early fall, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Nathan Hayward came to town, joining Rehoboth Mayor Sam Cooper, State Senator George Bunting, and other local officials to launch the projecta three-year effort that will revamp and revitalize both the look and the underground infrastructure of what Hayward called "coastal Delaware's best known thoroughfare." While the improvements that folks will see are a huge part of the project the disappearance of utility poles, plus addition of new sidewalks, curbs, light fixtures and landscapingthe most critical work is the re-location of underground utilities and renovation of water lines, storm sewers, and other vital city pipelines. As one project insider said, reducing the rhetoric to its basics, "If we want to be able to flush toilets, have running water, and make sure we have electricity into the 21st century, we have to do this now." So much for this just being a beautification project. However, in addition to the many necessary components of the work, there are both tangible and intangible benefits to be achieved. According to Secretary Hayward, this streetscape project is "a way to improve our transportation network, and increase economic development opportunities as the look of the Avenue becomes even more inviting." Phase One Right now, Phase One of the project extends from Second to Fifth Streets along Rehoboth Avenue. Originally planned to stop at the intersection of Second Street, the construction has extended into the block between First and Second Streets due to the need to link up with existing utility junctions. The extension was prompted, in part, by the fact that once the engineers started digging, they did not always find exactly what they expected underground. Water and sewer lines, utility boxes and other items were often farther away, or buried deeper than expected. The construction workers also discovered some unexpected relics along the way, such as railroad spikes. Any such "memorabilia," along with the old sign from the Convention Center, is being transferred to the Rehoboth Historical Society. The current Phase One Project will be finished by Memorial Day and includes placing utility lines underground, widening sidewalks, repaving the roadway, reconfiguring parking in some areas, installing ornamental street lighting and trash cans, and plant-ing new trees, shrubs and flowers. While engineers and designers considered ordering new street furniture, due to popular demand, Rehoboth's traditional white benches will remain. Work from Second to Fifth Street will continue with the barrier walls in place on the center of the roadway for the next few weeks. Then, the lane outside the median will be paved and traffic will be re-routed to the new lanes. At that time, the project will shift to the outside lanes of Rehoboth Avenue, with a separate crew working on each side of the street. Over the winter months, utility work will continue in the outside lanes, along with the reconfiguration of the sidewalks. During this phase, the engineers will work with businesses along the Avenue to make sure they still have access for deliveries. Sidewalks will NOT be closed. When completed, there will be approximately the same number of parking spaces as there were before the construction, and there will be more trees planted than were removed. Toward Memorial Day, work will be almost complete, and the last part of the project will involve removing the telephone poles and the over-ground utility wires. As we approach the summer season, Phase One will be complete, with underground utilities, new sidewalks, roadways, median and landscaping. When the summertime crowds arrive, there will be no evidence of construction vehicles or any construction work. Phase Two The second phase of the project, to begin next September, will be concentrated in the area from Fifth Street, north to the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal. During this phase, utilities will be placed underground, the roadways and median will be renovated, and the sidewalks will be widened, just as in the first phase. In addition, a small traffic circle will be added to Rehoboth Avenue, avoiding the need for a traffic light at Canal Street. The Chamber of Commerce building will be relocated to make room for the circle, and traffic will be able to flow easily from Columbia Avenue onto Rehoboth Avenue. The circle will allow both incoming and outgoing traffic on Rehoboth Avenue to remain moving at all times and also allow for a "gateway" area, with landscaping and signage welcoming people to Rehoboth Beach. Just like Phase One, the work will be done between September and May, clearing out for the summer of 2004. The decisions made regarding this configuration and the Phase One elements were approved by the Rehoboth Beach Commissioners following several public meetings and informational sessions, newspaper articles, and other calls for feedback from Rehoboth residents, property, and business owners. Phase Three The final chapter of this story will be the revitalization of Rehoboth Avenue from Second Street to the Boardwalk. This work is currently scheduled for the time period between September 2004 and May 2005. It will follow the general plan of the first two sections, relative to under-grounding the utilities, widening sidewalks, and restoring the median. However, the actual engineering plans for this critical section of the job have not yet been finalized. In fact, this winter and spring, there will be meetings, public hearings, and the opportunity for citizen input before any decisions are made or any engineering plans are finalized. Therefore, input regarding the bandstand area, ocean block parking, delivery zones, bus stops, and the ocean block circle is welcome. Radical change is not planned and there is time for citizens and businesses to make their concerns known. Who's paying for this? The total cost for the entire project is estimated at $12 million, with DelDOT providing $9 million and the City funding approximately $3 million. There has been a commitment from DelDOT Secretary Nathan Hayward that the project will be funded to completion. Several factors combined to make this an expensive project. Most important is the caliber of the planning and the construction company hired to do the work. Daisy Construction, which came out on top through a rigorous bid process, has an excellent reputation, and has already proven it can keep the job moving and on track. In addition, the requirement that each phase be completed in a shortened window of time (September through May) calls for periods of round-the-clock work, dual crews, and more. Many special factors such as these contribute to the high cost of the project. How will it benefit us? Obviously, it will look great, keep electric and phone wires out of harm's way from Nor 'Easters, and provide for a safer and more pedestrian- friendly downtown. Without overhead wires, we'll be able to plant shade trees, and continue to revitalize signage and facades for more visible store fronts. Also, experience from the National Main Street Center, the Delaware Economic Development Office, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and many organizations in the tourism industry, tells us that revitalized downtown streetscapes bring more business and tourism to the area. And finally, with our underground infrastructure newly routed and refurbished, downtown homes and businesses will be spared the problems associated with aging facilities. What can citizens do to help? The City of Rehoboth, Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc., and the Rehoboth-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce are working hard to keep citizens and businesses in the area, as well as the work zone, aware of the schedule. We are trying hard to let everyone know that downtown is open for business during the construction. Since businesses in the work zone are facing inconvenience, citizens should help out by shopping, dining, or having their friends and relatives visit and stay downtown! Rehoboth Beach Main Street says, "Downtown Merchants are pulling together to make Rehoboth Avenue beautiful for us; let's give them a beautiful Holiday Season!" The Streetscape Hotline 302-227-2617 gives daily recorded updates on the construction. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 15, November 27, 2002. |