Dock repairs on the way in Lewes

Repairs to the docks at Canalfront Park in Lewes are moving forward thanks to $500,000 in funding from the Greater Lewes Foundation.

The project comprises 9,000 square feet of new boardwalk, upgraded landings, an improved gazebo and work at the Net House. 

Bids will be accepted until 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2; the city will choose one contract for the work and another for supplies to complete the 75-day project.

“A lot of the capital projects we do are like the street projects where it's not a very specialized material,” said City Manager Ann Marie Townshend “The [boardwalk wood] is a little more specialized and we felt we could get better pricing if we secured that separately.”

Boardwalk replacement work will be done to ensure limited closures will be needed during the two-and-a-half-month project. Parks and Marina Administrator Janet Reeves said city officials are cognizant of the current and inevitable increase in activity this spring and she did not want the boardwalk to be ripped out entirely due to safety issues.

The marina opens April 1. City officials support prioritizing work to ensure areas most accessed by boaters will be available when they start to arrive.

Work on the Net House decking will coincide with other repairs to the building, including replacing the doors, improving the bathrooms and installing a new skylight window. Those repairs are separate from the boardwalk repair bid. 

Townshend is hoping work will begin no later than March 1.