DEWEY BEACH, Del. - The Town of Dewey Beach is looking to take a more creative approach to its latest project. The proposed new Town Hall and Police Station for Dewey is being primarily funded by a $3 million grant from the state.
The town is considering creating a mural on the side of the new building to raise additional funds by donations of people living in Dewey Beach.
Each aspect of a beach painting created based on a donation, so the bigger the donation, the bigger the item painted such as a crab, beach chair, or plane flying with a banner trailing behind it.
Commissioner Paul Bauer said an upgrade is overdue,
"Dewey has grown over the last forty some years and were sort of outgrowing the confines of this place plus the maintenance and things like that as well."
Doug Moore has worked at the Starboard for the last 16 years. He said he enjoys the fundraising alternatives the town opts for in place of a property tax.
"Especially when we do it in a fun way like we do it here is always great. Any type of fundraising for the town is amazing. Anything to avoid property tax I'm sure is great." said Moore.
Bauer said there are hopes to collect a few hundred more dollars in donations for any unexpected costs from the potential mural. However others living in Dewey hope to see any extra funds raised go to other issues in the town.
"Some of the roadways that I've seen that already have potholes that are being patched with gravel instead of having proper packing done to them or just have the road redone." said James Belknap who lives in Dewey Beach.
According to Bauer, the town is looking to start demolition on town facilities by Labor Day of 2024.