Lewes committee offers recommendations for downtown parking

The Lewes Downtown Business District Parking Committee has determined there is plenty of parking for residents and visitors, but directing people to free parking areas within walking distance of Second Street remains a challenge.

Improved signage is among the recommendations the committee made to mayor and city council in its final report. Other suggestions include moving forward with a partnership with M&T Bank to allow in-season metered public parking in its lot at the corner of West Third Street and Market Street, improving existing free parking lots on Schley Avenue and at Otis Smith Park, and clearly marking parking spaces on streets near the Lewes Historical Society.

Increased usage of all those areas hinges on a strong sign program, and the city is working with MERJE Design to develop such a program. The city may begin implementing phases of the project as early as this spring and summer.

The city has have been working with MERJE since December 2019 to develop a program that will provide consistency in signage and declutter city streets. After feedback from city officials and the public in various meetings, MERJE partner John Bosio reworked the design to best meet the tastes of all parties. He presented his latest plan to council at a Jan. 28 workshop.

With parking among the top concerns, Bosio designed blue signs with a red P to pop, hoping to catch the attention of drivers, specifically first-time visitors.

MERJE has already worked with the state and with Rehoboth Beach officials to implement similar sign programs, and Lewes’ signs will closely resemble what can be found in Rehoboth and along Route 1.

Funding for MERJE’s work – $30,000 – is covered by community transportation funds from Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton, as well as money from the city’s municipal street aid fund.

If the city moves forward with the full program proposed by MERJE, it is expected to cost about $350,000. Mayor and city council may choose to take a phased approach to implementation, beginning with parking and pedestrian signage, which is estimated at $107,000.

Signs are expected to last at least 15 years, with maintenance costs for the full program estimated at $35,000 to $50,000 annually.

Production and installation of signage are not services offered by MERJE, so the city will have to collect and review bids before moving forward.

Once mayor and city council gives the OK, MERJE will work to finalize the sign program, including what will be included on signs and where they will be placed. When asked if signs could be in place by Memorial Day, Bosio said it’s unlikely. It’s more likely parking and pedestrian signs could be installed during the summer season before the Fourth of July.

Funding for the project will be discussed during mayor and city council’s budget meetings, which begin Friday, Feb. 5. Council will discuss the downtown parking committee’s recommendations at its Monday, Feb. 8 meeting.

Downtown parking recommendations:

• The city proceeds with the license agreement and utilization of the M&T Bank parking lot

• Delineate on-street parking spaces along Third Street from Shipcarpenter Street to Queen Anne Avenue and along Park Avenue from Third to Fourth streets

• Implement improvements to the Schley Avenue parking lot to improve access and utilization

• The city proceeds with improvements to the Otis Smith Park parking area, with the type of improvements to be determined after consideration of environmental issues

• The city works with Beebe Healthcare to install signage indicating availability of public parking

• The city installs signage to identify availability of parking and proceed with necessary improvements to define parking

• Mayor and city council reviews hourly parking fees and hours of operation for possible adjustments

• Mayor and city council proceeds with implementation of signage and social media posts to better inform the public of the location and operation of parking locations

• The city should reevaluate the need for valet or jitney service after implementation of other recommendations.