Rehoboth looking to beautify Baltimore, Wilmington avenues

It’s been roughly 15 years since the streetscape of Rehoboth Avenue was redone in Rehoboth Beach. If things go as planned, the streetscapes of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues could soon follow suit.

During a commissioner meeting Dec. 18, City Manager Sharon Lynn announced the city had issued a request for proposals soliciting streetscape planning and conceptual designs for the first two blocks of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues; First Street between Baltimore and Wilmington avenues; and Second Street between Wilmington and Rehoboth avenues. She said the purpose of the project is to improve commercial viability, safety, ambiance, and access for pedestrians and bicycles. The city has budgeted $50,000 for this work, said Lynn.

Public Works Director Kevin Williams is the city staff member tasked with overseeing the upcoming planning and conceptual design process. He said he expects the public input and concept-creating process to take six to eight months to complete.

Williams said the city has applied for a Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Delaware Department of Transportation to help pay for the study.

Redoing the streetscape of these two commercial-district streets is a project Mayor Stan Mills has wanted to see completed since his previous time as a city commissioner.

Rehoboth’s comprehensive development plan recommends upgrades to these side streets and pedestrian ways, said Mills. With the issuing of RFPs, the first step to create a concept is underway, he said.

“Ever since the Rehoboth Avenue Streetscape was implemented, there seemed to be something missing – specifically similar improvements to Baltimore and Wilmington avenues, and the connectors to Rehoboth Avenue on First and Second streets,” said Mills, in an email Dec. 28.

According to the RFP, proposals are due no later than 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, with the city expected to award a contract by Feb. 23. The RFP calls for work to begin within two weeks of the contract being signed and to be completed no later than Nov. 30.

The streetscapes of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues would be the third streetscape project completed by the city since the turn of the century.

The first, at a cost of roughly $34 million, was for Rehoboth Avenue, which began in 2004 and was completed in 2006. Work included new sidewalks, a new public pavilion, new restroom facilities, utilities placed underground, the traffic roundabout with a replica of the former Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, reconfiguration of parking, and new lighting.

The second project is for Lake Avenue. The city completed Phase I in 2017. Work included installing sidewalks on both sides of Lake Avenue from Rehoboth Avenue to Third Street, repaving the roadway and relocating utilities.

Phase II of Lake Avenue’s revitalization is currently underway. That work includes making a four-way stop at the awkward intersection of Third Street and Lake, Maryland and Olive avenues; pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Second Street; realigning Second Street so it comes into Olive Avenue at 90 degrees; and replacing stormwater infrastructure. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of April. The cost of both Lake Avenue phases is approximately $2.2 million.