Rapid pace of demolition continuing in Rehoboth

The pace of demolitions in Rehoboth Beach quickened in 2016. According to a count of legal notices published in the Cape Gazette, there were 16 applications for demolition permits in 2016 compared to 15 in 2015. That’s not a huge increase, of course, but it demonstrates that there’s no weakening of people’s desire to tear down often-dated structures in Rehoboth’s residential areas and replace them with new and usually larger structures. So far in 2017, there have been three applications for demolitions.

Of course dated structures, if they survive long enough, eventually become historic structures. That’s why in 2006, Rehoboth Beach commissioners passed an ordinance to make demolition requests more notorious. Notification of the ordinance presented its purpose: “Demolitions of the City’s historic and characteristic structures have been occurring at an alarming rate and with minimal notification of neighboring properties that might be adversely affected by said demolitions.

The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the City’s goals of protecting historic and characteristic structures, preserve the City’s overall character and small town charm and to promote the public health, safety, morals or the general welfare of the City ... .”

The ordinance goes on to discuss placement of signs and sending letters to notify neighbors and others of pending demolitions. It also gives 30 days between notice of application and permitted demolition so those who might want to work to preserve a particular property have time to set their efforts in motion.

Nancy Alexander, executive director of Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, said city officials notify the society when a demolition application has been filed. She said dating back to about 2008, the society has been taking pictures of structures to be demolished so there is at least a photographic record of the buildings and their varying architectural styles. “We keep them in our files by year and street,” said Alexander.

The three structures slated so far for demolition in 2017 are located on Brooklyn and Olive avenues, and State Road.

“It’s getting to the point now that they’re tearing down many of the oldest houses,” said Alexander. “It’s frustrating but nothing we can do about it.”

The house at 14 Brooklyn Ave., according to a Rehoboth Beach Historical Society plaque next to its front door, dates back to 1917. It has been home to the Melbourne Rooms and Apartments for many years. The house is a classic example of American Foursquare architecture popular from the mid-1890s to the 1930s. Here’s what Wikipedia says about that style: “The hallmarks of the style include a basically square, boxy design, two-and-one-half stories high, usually with four large, boxy rooms to a floor, a center dormer, and a large front porch with wide stairs. The boxy shape provides a maximum amount of interior room space, to use a small city lot to best advantage. Other common features included a hipped roof, arched entries between common rooms, built-in cabinetry, and Craftsman-style woodwork.”

The oldest structure in Rehoboth Beach is the Lorenzo Dow Martin House, which some records date back to as early as 1848, long before Rehoboth Beach was a community. The story-and-a-half structure at the corner of Christian and Scarborough has been owned by many different families. In most recent years, it has been part of the Walls Apartments and Cottages complex which offers seasonal rentals in the house and in several adjacent structures. Ann Walls McCool and members of her family operated the business for more than 60 years. She was still writing reservations for repeat customers into her 96th year when she died in 2013.

The family of Col. Jack Lingo, whose Rehoboth Beach location for Jack Lingo Realtor is across the street from the historic house, purchased the Walls property from Mrs. McCool’s heirs following her death.

“We’re continuing to run the business the same way she ran it,” said Bryce Lingo, “and most of the same people are still coming back. We have no other plans at this time.”

Lingo said his father and Mrs. McCool were very close friends for many years. “She was his advisor when he was a student at Lewes High School, and they remained friends all of their lives.”

This story has been updated on Monday, February 20, to correct a previous reference to a property at 5 Olive Avenue.  Scott Johnson, owner of the property, said the demolition permit application for the 5 Olive property refers to a shed behind the house which he said has become a hazard.  Johnson said the house on the property dates back to 1890 and he and his wife plan to restore it over time.  The restoration work, he said, will be handled by Ricky Pennington of Pennington Contracting.