Dewey seeks ownership of lifesaving station property

Plans are underway for the Town of Dewey Beach to assume ownership of the Dagsworthy Street property upon which the Lifesaving Station sits.

The town currently leases the oceanfront property for $1 a year from the Delaware Economic Development Authority, Town Manager Bill Zolper said.

“I think this would be a huge win for the town if we’re able to take it over,” Zolper said.

The current building is a replica of the station that was commissioned in 1878 as the Rehoboth Beach Lifesaving Station. It is used by Dewey Beach Patrol and as an official municipal meeting place.

Deed records show the federal government abandoned the property to the state in 1946. The original station was moved to the Forgotten Mile and converted into a home. In 1987, town leaders sought to purchase the station, move it back to Dagsworthy Street and restore it, but costs were prohibitive. 

The replica was completed in 1988, which is also when the original station was moved to Shipcarpenter Square in Lewes, where it was restored as a home and still stands today.

With the town now planning for a new town hall and police station, Zolper said he would like to be able to enlarge the bathroom and install women’s shower facilities in the lifesaving station for female guards’ use without having to go through a state agency.

Town Counsel Fred Townsend, who has been working with the state on the transfer, said the property was transferred to the Delaware Economic Development Authority subject to the lease’s continuation.

“By terminating the lease, title reverts back to state from DEDA,” Townsend said. “Now the state can convey title to the town but the conveyance will be subject to conditions.”

The conditions are currently being drafted, Townsend said, but likely include that the town endeavor to have the site designated historic and that the town will use the site for public purposes only. 

If the conditions aren’t met, the title reverts to the state, Townsend said, noting he doesn’t anticipate the state will demand any compensation for the property.

While the town will be prohibited from selling the property or demolishing the station, Zolper said they will be able to make modifications, such as the improvements to the showers and locker rooms. The public-use requirement will be met as the lifeguards are providing public safety, Zolper said. 

If successful, town plans call for having the property designated a historic site as it was the location of the original lifesaving station.