Enhancing the Wilmington/Baltimore Streetscape

Project Overview

The City of Rehoboth Beach has created a concept to transform the streetscape along the first two blocks of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues. Hoping to build on the vision and success of the Rehoboth Avenue streetscape project undertaken several years ago, this streetscape enhancement project aims to:

improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety
enhance the ambiance and aesthetics of the area to support commercial vitality
enhance resiliency of some of the city’s key infrastructure by undergrounding utilities

Implementation of streetscape concepts would be phased over a 5- to 7-year period. The city currently is exploring funding options for this significant project.

How You Can Be Involved

Help us understand your priorities by providing your input below. Have a question? Ask it here.

Project Overview

improve pedestrian and bicycle access and safety
enhance the ambiance and aesthetics of the area to support commercial vitality
enhance resiliency of some of the city’s key infrastructure by undergrounding utilities

Implementation of streetscape concepts would be phased over a 5- to 7-year period. The city currently is exploring funding options for this significant project.

How You Can Be Involved

Help us understand your priorities by providing your input below. Have a question? Ask it here.

Questions and Answers

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Share These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents. on Facebook Share These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents. on Twitter Share These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents. on Linkedin Email These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents. link

These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents.

JSR asked 20 days ago

Thank you for your comment.

Last fall Delmarva Power had to cut the power at a number of houses in Country Club Estates when an underground electric box flooded during the rains from tropical storm Ian. It took 3 crews from Maryland working well into the night to replace the box. Undergrounding does not necessarily enhance resiliency. When undergrounding power lines, some electric boxes are placed underground while other larger utility boxes are placed on the ground. There was space on Rehoboth Ave. in the median for the large above-ground utility boxes, but on Baltimore & Wilmington Avenues, which are only ~half as wide as Rehoboth Ave., it seems they would take up space along the streets. These large above-ground boxes do not enhance aesthetics. The City has received a letter from Delmarva Power explaining their 'no' to undergrounding power lines on Baltimore & Wilmington Avenues. What would be the cost savings to this streetscape project if the City does not underground the power lines? A stated goal of the Streetscape Concept is that streetscape improvement will enhance parking accommodation. Will the Rossi parking study be evaluating the idea proposed in this streetscape project to eliminate 82 of 329 (25%) of the parking spaces?

FMK asked 11 months ago

Thank you for your comments and questions. In a study completed two years ago, JMT provided the city with an estimated cost for undergrounding utilities in the streetscape area. The estimated cost in the table below does not include undergrounding transformers.

Rehoboth Aerial Utility Undergrounding – Estimated Costs
Entity	Estimated Total Cost
City of Rehoboth Beach Infrastructure Cost	$9,011,674.
Delmarva Power	$1,080,040.
Verizon	$884,000.
Comcast	$125,000.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST	$11,100,714.

I also checked with Rossi, our traffic and parking study consultant as well as our streetscape concept consultant, regarding your last question. Here is their reply:

"The Traffic and Parking Study is a comprehensive traffic and transportation study that will identify realistic goals and actions to improve the traffic/parking experience in the City of Rehoboth Beach. This comprehensive study will include recommendations to better address parking demand throughout the City. This study is being completed to ensure that it is not in conflict with prior studies and plans, including the streetscape design; however, the impacts of the streetscape concept is not the focus of the Traffic and Parking Study."

Share Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area. on Facebook Share Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area. on Twitter Share Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area. on Linkedin Email Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area. link

Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area.

RobertWTodd asked 11 months ago

Thank you for your comment.
Share I echo Sandra Curson's comment submitted a month ago. Furthermore, the forthcoming new hotels on Baltimore Avenue (Grotto on the oceanfront and The Sands Hotel's expansion on the ocean block) and on Wilmington Avenue (The Bellhaven) should be asked to fund a major portion of the construction costs along their stretches of the streets involved. Generally, the loss of parking spaces this project will cause means it's a hard pass for me. The estimates for total cost now range from at least $30M to about $50M, depending on whether utilities are undergrounded or not, unknown rises in construction costs, etc.. The City should consider shoring up its essential infrastructure (wastewater, stormwater, street repairs, better pedestrian conditions) before taking on this massive, costly streetscape. I get the impression that it's viewed as some sort of crown jewel project by a few people who are pushing it to cement their legacy. The City's fiscal stability should take precedence over a few people's aspirations of grandeur. on Facebook Share I echo Sandra Curson's comment submitted a month ago. Furthermore, the forthcoming new hotels on Baltimore Avenue (Grotto on the oceanfront and The Sands Hotel's expansion on the ocean block) and on Wilmington Avenue (The Bellhaven) should be asked to fund a major portion of the construction costs along their stretches of the streets involved. Generally, the loss of parking spaces this project will cause means it's a hard pass for me. The estimates for total cost now range from at least $30M to about $50M, depending on whether utilities are undergrounded or not, unknown rises in construction costs, etc.. The City should consider shoring up its essential infrastructure (wastewater, stormwater, street repairs, better pedestrian conditions) before taking on this massive, costly streetscape. I get the impression that it's viewed as some sort of crown jewel project by a few people who are pushing it to cement their legacy. The City's fiscal stability should take precedence over a few people's aspirations of grandeur. on Twitter Share I echo Sandra Curson's comment submitted a month ago. Furthermore, the forthcoming new hotels on Baltimore Avenue (Grotto on the oceanfront and The Sands Hotel's expansion on the ocean block) and on Wilmington Avenue (The Bellhaven) should be asked to fund a major portion of the construction costs along their stretches of the streets involved. Generally, the loss of parking spaces this project will cause means it's a hard pass for me. The estimates for total cost now range from at least $30M to about $50M, depending on whether utilities are undergrounded or not, unknown rises in construction costs, etc.. The City should consider shoring up its essential infrastructure (wastewater, stormwater, street repairs, better pedestrian conditions) before taking on this massive, costly streetscape. I get the impression that it's viewed as some sort of crown jewel project by a few people who are pushing it to cement their legacy. The City's fiscal stability should take precedence over a few people's aspirations of grandeur. on Linkedin Email I echo Sandra Curson's comment submitted a month ago. Furthermore, the forthcoming new hotels on Baltimore Avenue (Grotto on the oceanfront and The Sands Hotel's expansion on the ocean block) and on Wilmington Avenue (The Bellhaven) should be asked to fund a major portion of the construction costs along their stretches of the streets involved. Generally, the loss of parking spaces this project will cause means it's a hard pass for me. The estimates for total cost now range from at least $30M to about $50M, depending on whether utilities are undergrounded or not, unknown rises in construction costs, etc.. The City should consider shoring up its essential infrastructure (wastewater, stormwater, street repairs, better pedestrian conditions) before taking on this massive, costly streetscape. I get the impression that it's viewed as some sort of crown jewel project by a few people who are pushing it to cement their legacy. The City's fiscal stability should take precedence over a few people's aspirations of grandeur. link

I echo Sandra Curson's comment submitted a month ago. Furthermore, the forthcoming new hotels on Baltimore Avenue (Grotto on the oceanfront and The Sands Hotel's expansion on the ocean block) and on Wilmington Avenue (The Bellhaven) should be asked to fund a major portion of the construction costs along their stretches of the streets involved. Generally, the loss of parking spaces this project will cause means it's a hard pass for me. The estimates for total cost now range from at least $30M to about $50M, depending on whether utilities are undergrounded or not, unknown rises in construction costs, etc.. The City should consider shoring up its essential infrastructure (wastewater, stormwater, street repairs, better pedestrian conditions) before taking on this massive, costly streetscape. I get the impression that it's viewed as some sort of crown jewel project by a few people who are pushing it to cement their legacy. The City's fiscal stability should take precedence over a few people's aspirations of grandeur.

suzannegg asked 12 months ago

Thank you for your comment.
Share I do not support a $24,000,000 streetscape project. On Baltimore, the Sands, Admiral & Sirocco take up a large part of the beach block. Other than people staying at the motels, the main reason people use the block is to park to get to the beach & boardwalk. The 2nd block is primarily restaurants with mainly parrallel parking. The beach block & the 2nd block are lined with trees. On the Wilmington Ave, the beach block is primarily restaurants & has 3 parking lots, eg Grotto's. The 2nd block is primarily motels with limited parrallel street parking. The street is lined with trees and has a Gazebo on the boardwalk, allowing a nice view of the ocean from the street. It is important to retain street parking as the primary purpose of these blocks is to park to get to the beach, boardwalk, & restaurants. Tax dollars should firstly be spent on maintaining or improving necessary City infrastructure such as stormwater drains. Only after tax dollars have been allocated for necessary work should funds be spent on non-essential projects. on Facebook Share I do not support a $24,000,000 streetscape project. On Baltimore, the Sands, Admiral & Sirocco take up a large part of the beach block. Other than people staying at the motels, the main reason people use the block is to park to get to the beach & boardwalk. The 2nd block is primarily restaurants with mainly parrallel parking. The beach block & the 2nd block are lined with trees. On the Wilmington Ave, the beach block is primarily restaurants & has 3 parking lots, eg Grotto's. The 2nd block is primarily motels with limited parrallel street parking. The street is lined with trees and has a Gazebo on the boardwalk, allowing a nice view of the ocean from the street. It is important to retain street parking as the primary purpose of these blocks is to park to get to the beach, boardwalk, & restaurants. Tax dollars should firstly be spent on maintaining or improving necessary City infrastructure such as stormwater drains. Only after tax dollars have been allocated for necessary work should funds be spent on non-essential projects. on Twitter Share I do not support a $24,000,000 streetscape project. On Baltimore, the Sands, Admiral & Sirocco take up a large part of the beach block. Other than people staying at the motels, the main reason people use the block is to park to get to the beach & boardwalk. The 2nd block is primarily restaurants with mainly parrallel parking. The beach block & the 2nd block are lined with trees. On the Wilmington Ave, the beach block is primarily restaurants & has 3 parking lots, eg Grotto's. The 2nd block is primarily motels with limited parrallel street parking. The street is lined with trees and has a Gazebo on the boardwalk, allowing a nice view of the ocean from the street. It is important to retain street parking as the primary purpose of these blocks is to park to get to the beach, boardwalk, & restaurants. Tax dollars should firstly be spent on maintaining or improving necessary City infrastructure such as stormwater drains. Only after tax dollars have been allocated for necessary work should funds be spent on non-essential projects. on Linkedin Email I do not support a $24,000,000 streetscape project. On Baltimore, the Sands, Admiral & Sirocco take up a large part of the beach block. Other than people staying at the motels, the main reason people use the block is to park to get to the beach & boardwalk. The 2nd block is primarily restaurants with mainly parrallel parking. The beach block & the 2nd block are lined with trees. On the Wilmington Ave, the beach block is primarily restaurants & has 3 parking lots, eg Grotto's. The 2nd block is primarily motels with limited parrallel street parking. The street is lined with trees and has a Gazebo on the boardwalk, allowing a nice view of the ocean from the street. It is important to retain street parking as the primary purpose of these blocks is to park to get to the beach, boardwalk, & restaurants. Tax dollars should firstly be spent on maintaining or improving necessary City infrastructure such as stormwater drains. Only after tax dollars have been allocated for necessary work should funds be spent on non-essential projects. link

I do not support a $24,000,000 streetscape project. On Baltimore, the Sands, Admiral & Sirocco take up a large part of the beach block. Other than people staying at the motels, the main reason people use the block is to park to get to the beach & boardwalk. The 2nd block is primarily restaurants with mainly parrallel parking. The beach block & the 2nd block are lined with trees. On the Wilmington Ave, the beach block is primarily restaurants & has 3 parking lots, eg Grotto's. The 2nd block is primarily motels with limited parrallel street parking. The street is lined with trees and has a Gazebo on the boardwalk, allowing a nice view of the ocean from the street. It is important to retain street parking as the primary purpose of these blocks is to park to get to the beach, boardwalk, & restaurants. Tax dollars should firstly be spent on maintaining or improving necessary City infrastructure such as stormwater drains. Only after tax dollars have been allocated for necessary work should funds be spent on non-essential projects.

FMK asked 12 months ago

Thank you for your comment.
Share The size and placement of the painted bicycle lane symbols in the middle of the streets are encouraging multiple bicyclists to ride next to each other and hold up traffic. We've seen it happen so many times that they won't go single file even if there is a backup of cars that would be able to pass and they are chatting away to each other. In other cities the symbols are more to the right side of the street instead of the center and not nearly as large. Bayard is one of the problem streets. On Rehoboth Ave, both lanes heading north have them, shouldn't they be encouraged to stay to the right? thank you on Facebook Share The size and placement of the painted bicycle lane symbols in the middle of the streets are encouraging multiple bicyclists to ride next to each other and hold up traffic. We've seen it happen so many times that they won't go single file even if there is a backup of cars that would be able to pass and they are chatting away to each other. In other cities the symbols are more to the right side of the street instead of the center and not nearly as large. Bayard is one of the problem streets. On Rehoboth Ave, both lanes heading north have them, shouldn't they be encouraged to stay to the right? thank you on Twitter Share The size and placement of the painted bicycle lane symbols in the middle of the streets are encouraging multiple bicyclists to ride next to each other and hold up traffic. We've seen it happen so many times that they won't go single file even if there is a backup of cars that would be able to pass and they are chatting away to each other. In other cities the symbols are more to the right side of the street instead of the center and not nearly as large. Bayard is one of the problem streets. On Rehoboth Ave, both lanes heading north have them, shouldn't they be encouraged to stay to the right? thank you on Linkedin Email The size and placement of the painted bicycle lane symbols in the middle of the streets are encouraging multiple bicyclists to ride next to each other and hold up traffic. We've seen it happen so many times that they won't go single file even if there is a backup of cars that would be able to pass and they are chatting away to each other. In other cities the symbols are more to the right side of the street instead of the center and not nearly as large. Bayard is one of the problem streets. On Rehoboth Ave, both lanes heading north have them, shouldn't they be encouraged to stay to the right? thank you link

The size and placement of the painted bicycle lane symbols in the middle of the streets are encouraging multiple bicyclists to ride next to each other and hold up traffic. We've seen it happen so many times that they won't go single file even if there is a backup of cars that would be able to pass and they are chatting away to each other. In other cities the symbols are more to the right side of the street instead of the center and not nearly as large. Bayard is one of the problem streets. On Rehoboth Ave, both lanes heading north have them, shouldn't they be encouraged to stay to the right? thank you

sRB1997 asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your comment.
Share I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you. on Facebook Share I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you. on Twitter Share I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you. on Linkedin Email I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you. link

I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you.

EJ asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for the additional comment.
Share Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore. on Facebook Share Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore. on Twitter Share Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore. on Linkedin Email Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore. link

Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore.

EJ asked about 1 year ago

A desire for increased bike/pedestrian use (and fewer automobiles) is a key tenet of the streetscape concept plan. As such, additional bike racks are part of the streetscape plan, though we don't know at this early stage how many additional bike racks there will be or where they will be located.

bike racks,streetscape
bike racks streetscape
Share Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting. on Facebook Share Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting. on Twitter Share Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting. on Linkedin Email Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting. link

Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting.

ACMRB asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your comment.
Share Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building? on Facebook Share Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building? on Twitter Share Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building? on Linkedin Email Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building? link

Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building?

ACMRB asked about 1 year ago

Thank you for your comment.

Page last updated: 11 Mar 2024, 02:58 PM

Enhancing the Wilmington/Baltimore Streetscape

Project Overview

How You Can Be Involved

Project Overview

How You Can Be Involved

Questions and Answers

These street scape projects are too expensive as a whole, especially given the recent tax increase of 30% and budget deficit resulting from this project, Sewer project and new lifeguard station. We should not be running a deficit and increasing tax and expenses to residents.

Close the 3 beach blocks to automobiles, Make it an open air destination with tables, entertainment, and add some new life to the area.

I sent an earlier question about the need for more bike racks, but I just read the streetscape plan and there is a plan to add more - 21 racks from the current 8. Thank you.

Theres not enough bike racks in the city. In the middle of summer, people need to lock their bikes to trees and sign posts. Are there plans to add more racks to all the streets? It's really bad on Baltimore.

Can we do something about the restaurants and hotels that have refrigeration condensate lines and cleaning areas that drain water right on the the sidewalk day after day. Its not pleasant to have to walk thru and some areas water ponds and is disgusting.

Need more bike racks. The one next to the old Lingos market is jam packed in the summer. Maybe another one up by the Achiballd walkway to the parking lot? How about integrating something with the new beach patrol building?

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Lifecycle

Planning and Design: 2006-2022

Construction: 2023