Clear Space could have new theater on Rehoboth Avenue

Rehoboth Beach may soon boost its local arts scene with a 300-seat theater on the main avenue. 

Clear Space Theater Company stressed the need for the move — not only to accommodate more people but also for better functionality — during its presentation to Rehoboth's planning commission earlier in October. 

"As the company has been successful and grown in our 15 years, we’ve come to realize the current space doesn’t meet our needs," executive director Wesley Paulson said after the meeting. 

At the company's Baltimore Avenue location, classes, rehearsals and performances all share the same space, making it difficult to schedule Clear Space productions and host outside art events. 

Owning the property, and not just leasing it as they do currently, is also part of the appeal, Paulson said.

"We're successful, and now we need to look at what supports the theater," he added.

The current location at the old Epworth United Methodist Church has 192 seats. The future building's design increases that number by a third. 

Clear Space wants to construct a three-story, 25,599 square-foot building with a lower level parking area. The property takes up 413, 415 and 417 Rehoboth Ave., a few steps from the circle leading into town.

"To me this is sort of exciting," commission chair David Mellen said. "It's having a project come before us that is not a restaurant and not a T-shirt shop, but actually produces some artistic contribution to the city."

Per city code, 128 parking spaces would be the minimum requirement for a building that size. Clear Space is providing only 28 spaces on site, a main concern for commission members. 

"People are always concerned about parking. The reality is we currently provide no parking," Paulson said, adding that 28 spaces is more than what Clear Space offers now, and its patrons are able to park in town already. 

More:Parking overhaul for Rehoboth about making a better experience: officials

Paulson said Clear Space will work with the city to meet the codes while staying within budget.

Commission members also had safety concerns with getting 300 people out of the building during a potential emergency, something that could make or break approval for the application.

Paulson said the architect working with Clear Space told him the building plan was in code by the book, "but it's always good to get comments from who would be involved in the facility should something happen."

The planning commission has not voted on the application, and Clear Space will need the approval of it and the board of adjustment before it begins construction.

Clear Space is hoping to open in 2021, as its Baltimore Avenue lease expires in December 2020.

"We’re very proud of being live theater at the beach," Paulson said. "Our hope is we can be live theater at the beach and not live theater near the beach. This helps with that objective."

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