Rehoboth exploring changes on two new handicap ramps
Rehoboth Beach officials have been told by the state that the city will have to pay for a redesign and rebuild of two recently installed handicap ramps on the second block of Rehoboth Avenue.
The ramps were built about two weeks ago, and the issue was brought to light after concerns were raised by business owners and residents.
Unfortunately, the ramps narrow the sidewalk significantly, said City Manager Taylour Tedder during a commissioner meeting Oct. 18. The city is meeting with the designers and contractors to determine the best resolution, he said.
C.R. McLeod, spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Transportation, said city and DelDOT officials met Oct. 21, to discuss some options to make the two completed ramps more visible. The city is going to decide which to implement at its expense, he said.
“Rehoboth did approve the original design plan for these ramps, so any changes going forward to that design will be added to the city’s contribution to the project,” said McLeod.
The city is exploring possible redesign options for the ADA-compliant ramps, said Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, in an email Oct. 23. For now, the city installed fencing as a temporary safety precaution until changes can be further explored after the Sea Witch Festival, she said.
Additionally, said McLeod, the city is looking at modifications to two ramps that have yet to be built and will get back to DelDOT so those can be reviewed and approved before the contractor builds them.
As part of a larger Rehoboth Avenue paving project, DelDOT’s contractor A-Del began working on curbing and ADA improvements along Rehoboth Avenue in early October. Figuring out the design of these improvements was the primary reason why this project wasn’t done this time last year.
Two new ADA-compliant ramps were installed on the north side of Rehoboth Avenue’s second block in front of Browseabout Books and the Shops at Rehoboth Mews.
The city was hoping this would create four new ADA van-compliant spaces without losing parking spaces, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to be the ideal solution, so the city is looking to change those, said Tedder during the commissioner meeting.
Oct. 19 was a sunny, unseasonably warm day in Rehoboth Beach, and the city was packed with visitors going to jazz-related events and people who were in town for the annual Bark on the Boards. The city blocked the new ramps with benches and orange construction barrels.
Christmas Spirit owner Jill Hudson said no one is against making the sidewalks more accessible, but she didn’t understand why there needed to be two ramps so close to each or why the ramps needed to be so big.
In addition to the sidewalk work, Tedder reminded everyone that the paving on Rehoboth Avenue will begin soon after the annual Sea Witch Festival, which runs Friday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 27. Work will take place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning, he said.
Commissioner Ed Chrzanowski pointed out that the overnight curbing work begins at 9 p.m., and he encouraged Tedder to urge DelDOT to do the same for the paving portion of the project to minimize the impact to businesses during the dinner rush.
Tedder said the city is in constant contact with DelDOT on the issue and will continue to ask.
