Streetscape Task Force Discusses Parking, Sidewalks and More

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- Diving deeper in the streetscape designs, as the task force assigned to talk about the new concepts is making progress on how the project should move forward. But there is still going to be more time before a final design concept is presented. A lot of the conversation was around parking, walking paths, and access from the boardwalk to the other streets. Luckily, a lot of the members were on the same page.  The task force is ready to find ways to tweak the plans. One of the biggest problems the group found is that they want wider sidewalks. Right now the walking path for people is five feet, but the task force is going to ask in that can be extended to seven feet, but with some wiggle room. Howard Menaker, a Rehoboth Beach Resident said, "So while I agree five feet is probably not adequate. I think there is going to be places where it's going to need to narrow down and places where it can widen out. I just want to make sure that's part of our recommendation." David Mariner, Executive Director of Camp Rehoboth said, "You know when we say whenever possible does that mean that we lose the trees there? Or does it not? Because I also think they provide a lot of character to the end of the street and from the beautification perspective." Members of the task force also want to see that people are welcomed onto Baltimore and Wilmington Avenue when on the boardwalk. Jenny Burton, a business owner downtown said, "I think that it's just important to make sure that we are, when we look at the design of this that it is definitely inviting." Still considering the idea of creating an area where it's tailored for people and not for vehicles at the ends of the streets. But one thing lingering on the mind of many members is the fact the city would be losing a significant amount of car parking, but the trade off is adding more scooter parking.  Stan Mills, Rehoboth Beach Mayor said, "Certainly the loss of any parking is a concern to me but there's going to be trade offs, and there will be trade offs."  The city also is looking into adding more bike parking wherever possible. The task force will pass these ideas on to the Rossi Group and then sometime at the end of September there will be a public workshop for more people to talk about the project.