MERR proposes education and visitor center at Green Hill Light site

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute is proposing a redevelopment of the old Green Hill Light site that would include an expanded MERR facility. 

The 14.6-acre parcel is located at the end of Pilottown Road on the edge of the Great Marsh. There is an unimproved road leading to the site from Pilottown Road.

MERR Executive Director Suzanne Thurman and professional engineer Ring Lardner of Davis, Bowen and Friedel briefed Lewes Mayor and City Council on the concept at a public workshop Oct. 27.

“Our primary objective is to expand our care capability for marine mammals and sea turtles,” Thurman said. “This is [also] a full-fledged education and visitor center.”

The City of Lewes owns the land, but it is not located within city limits. 

Thurman said MERR’s current building, which is located across Pilottown Road from the Green Hill site, does not have temperature control, a bathroom or even running water in the winter.

Because of those limitations, Thurman said MERR can only provide limited care. If an animal is rescued, MERR can only provide initial care, stabilize the animal and prepare it to be shipped out to another facility. She said that sometimes means the animal has to be euthanized.

The proposed redevelopment includes access from Pilottown Road, parking for cars and buses, boardwalk trails and possibly preservation of remaining parts of the Green Hill Light.

“Those [parts] that can’t be saved would be demolished. Those that can be saved will be integrated as part of the history,” Lardner said.

Lardner said the ruins are overgrown with invasive species, and the parcel is full of trash and debris that would have to be cleared.

The Green Hill Light went into service in 1881. The rear range light was decommissioned in 1918.

The steel light tower was sold, removed in 1919 and moved by rail to Gasparilla, Fla., where it is still in use today.

Council members praised the concept of the overall project, but raised concerns about the impact to traffic on Pilottown Road.

Lardner said traffic, wetland and tree surveys have not yet been done.

Thurman said there is no timetable for completing the project.

She said MERR would have to launch a fundraising campaign to make it happen.