REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - The Rehoboth Boardwalk and Beach Committee aims to maintain the beauty and feeling of Rehoboth Beach's boardwalk. During a Monday meeting, the committee expressed excitement and concern for modern changes coming to the city.
The committee discussed the new Delaware Avenue Comfort Station improvements project. A pre-bid meeting on the project was held on Monday morning.
“We have two ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) bathrooms, two ADA changing rooms, two family changing rooms and 3 individual changing rooms. I mean that's like hitting the jackpot,” said Jay Lagree the committee chair.
The committee also discussed putting a restroom at the south end of the boardwalk. They say a lot of people end up using the bathroom in the ocean because they don't want to walk halfway down the beach to get to a bathroom.
Commercialization was another sensitive topic. The committee mentioned how some New Jersey towns allow vendors to sell items on the boardwalk.
"I'm not sure that's good for our boardwalk. If the mayor and commission give us permission it might be nice to discuss that, if we even want that to happen,” said Lagree.
The group wants to enforce permits if something like this or sponsorships, or commercial signage were to be allowed.
"The city needs to be careful of setting a precedent if we allow just one store at one point, that's going to blossom into a whole festival of donut makers, pizza makers,” said member Brian Hancock.
Many other items were on the table to discuss, like protecting boardwalk aesthetics from the new wireless antennas.
"I counted 19 new poles on the boardwalk. And this is troubling, it is really troubling,” said Lagree.
Verizon is planning to install those towers throughout the downtown area and boardwalk.
"Not sure if we have the authority to force them to use existing poles, but we are going to try to do that,” said Lagree.
Other items that will be considered at future meetings will include security and safety on the boardwalk, more access mats for entry points, additional video and speakers on the boardwalk, and more.
