Rehoboth officials dedicate Lake Avenue project

Rehoboth Beach officials formally cut the ribbon on the new Lake Avenue June 5, wrapping up a project that has taken five years to come to fruition.

The $1.2 million project started just after Labor Day and lasted up to May 26, the Friday before Memorial Day. The project installed sidewalks on both sides of the street as well as repaving the roadway and relocating utilities. The work was 80 percent federally funded, with the city chipping in $200,000 toward the cost of the work. The project was first proposed during former City Manager Greg Ferrese’s tenure and endured numerous delays before finally breaking ground in September.

Mayor Sam Cooper said, “Clearly, it’s about sidewalks and safety for pedestrians. It was quite dangerous with people walking on a commercially zoned street with no sidewalks. This is a long time coming.”

City Manager Sharon Lynn thanked residents and businesses on the street for putting up with all the construction, both on Lake Avenue and at the new City Hall.

“We have a great project. I’m glad we came to the finish line,” she said.