Closure of portion of Rehoboth Avenue sidewalk sparks debate

In the height of summer, those walking west on Rehoboth Avenue will have to take a slight detour when they get to the new city hall that's under construction.

That portion of Rehoboth Avenue will be closed beginning on or around July 17 to repair sidewalk from City Hall Drive to 3rd Street for three weeks. Signs warning of the detour will begin as far back as Lake Street and will continue to 2nd Street.

The Rehoboth Beach Commissioners learned of this on July 5, and although most of the commissioners were in favor of the decision, commissioner Kathy McGuiness was outspoken in her opposition to the decision to close the sidewalk.

"I am not happy with this," she said. "And I think we need to have a discussion about this."

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Businesses between 2nd Street and City Hall Drive — where pedestrians will need to be detoured — will remain open during this time.

The construction closes the area just in front of the new city hall. Pedestrians walking on the westbound portion of Rehoboth Avenue will have to cross the street at City Hall Drive to the eastbound portion of the road by using existing crosswalks.

Those heading west on the westward side of Rehoboth Avenue will see a sign stating that the sidewalk is closed ahead but businesses are still open along that portion of the road.

Pedestrians walking on the westbound side of the road will be detoured from City Hall Drive until 2nd Street, where they will be allowed to cross back over.

City Commissioner Sharon Lynn said this is subject to change.

Commissioner Stan Mills said he was not happy with the decision, but he said he understands why it is being done and does not oppose it.

He added the bus stop and the Jolly Trolley stops will still be open on that route.

"There will be signage that will ask people to cross the street and they can recross the street to access those areas," he said. "There is a sign program that even though it asks people to cross the street, it indicates businesses will be open in this area. ... I personally expect it that pedestrians will continue to walk on that side because they have all along, but I think this is an exercise we have to do to try to get people to cross the street for safety reasons."

There is no way to push back the clock, he added, because of all the different work happening when it comes to fixing the sidewalk, including demolition and improving drainage.

Ultimately, he said, it will not do very much harm to businesses.

The only alternative Lynn said is available would be to use the entrance and exit of the city hall building, but she said that was up to the fire marshal.

"And I don't see that being adequate for the fire marshal," she said.

The commissioners decided to take no further action, and the section of the sidewalk will be closed as planned.

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