Rehoboth Beach Main Street plans to disband

The Rehoboth Beach Main Street Board of Directors have reached a decision to transition their functions to the City of Rehoboth Beach and other existing community organizations.

The announcement comes days after Krys Johnson, the executive director of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, was named communications specialist for the city.

Johnson had served as Main Street’s executive director for more than two years years. Her new position, which she will officially start Monday, May 23, involves improving the city's social media presence, posting information to the city website and managing public opinion research.

Sharon Lynn, Rehoboth Beach City Manager, said Johnson was the perfect candidate for the job.

"With Krys' positive energy and knowledge of city operations, I am already confident she will serve Rehoboth Beach well," she said.

Johnson's exit announcement last month with Rehoboth Beach Main Street gave the board an opportunity to step back and examine its role and functions in the city.

"Many of Rehoboth Beach Main Street's goals have already been realized," Johnson said. "And the need for a Main Street program in the City of Rehoboth Beach has greatly been diminished due to the vibrancy of the downtown business district."

Johnson said she will continue to oversee the Rehoboth Beach Main Street program and its administrative staff will remain in place through March 2017.

The Rehoboth Beach Board of Directors is formalizing an event transition plan, she said, with identified nonprofits to ensure that landmark events will continue for years to come.

The City of Rehoboth will oversee the responsibility for large events, such as the Fourth of July fireworks, the annual Christmas tree lighting and the boardwalk kiosk.

In addition to the City of Rehoboth, the board is in conversation with several area organizations that have an interest in running other traditional Rehoboth Beach Main Street events, like the popular Chocolate Festival and Gumbo Crawl.

Specific information about the 2017 events, she said, will be released once memorandums of understanding are in place with these organizations.

"This is a productive transition and we are looking forward to many positive outcomes," she said. "The Rehoboth Beach Main Street Board of Directors and Staff would like to thank the City of Rehoboth Beach, as well as all the downtown businesses and residents for their amazing support for the past 20 years."

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