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If all goes according to plan, Rehoboth Beach’s Boardwalk will soon be subject to an “Extreme Makeover.”
The Rehoboth Boardwalk Committee is set to recommend to the city commissioners at the Monday, April 21 meeting to pay Kercher Engineering $193,000 for engineering services and construction drawings.
Commissioner Stan Mills, chairman of the committee, said he was “cautiously optimistic” construction would start on Nov. 1, on a section from Rehoboth Avenue to Laurel Street. Mills said the proposed timeline is for the entire project to be complete by Memorial Day 2009, although the pace of the project is dependent on funding. The city already has reserved $1.5 million of this year’s budget for the first phase of the rebuild.
Mills said the proposed construction would be done in five phases. The second is north of Rehoboth Avenue to Maryland Avenue. Phases 3 and 4 are the southern end and the narrow northern sections and Phase 5 is the concrete portion in the middle of Rehoboth Avenue. He said Phase 5 could be moved up if the city decides to move back to wood instead of concrete.
Mills said there was still much work to be done by the committee, which includes Mayor Sam Cooper, Commissioner Kathy McGuiness and former Rehoboth Beach Historical Society President Bill Bahan. Kercher is to provide a cost-benefit analysis for the substructure and the decking materials, which will both be replaced. Alternate construction methods and an amenity package that includes lighting, trash cans, benches, bike racks and signage will be evaluated, Mills said. In addition, the city would also have to get permits from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
McGuiness said she sees the project as a necessity, and while it will be expensive and perhaps invasive, the city has learned from the Streetscape sidewalk program how to go about balancing a massive rebuilding project with continuous pedestrian traffic.
She said one concern is the weight-bearing capacity of the Boardwalk, because the city’s trash trucks drive on the Boardwalk to collect refuse. McGuiness, who opposes trucks driving on the Boardwalk, said details still needed to be worked out on how the substructure is to be reinforced.
Cooper said Kercher has set out on a good program to look into alternative construction techniques and building materials. He said the city and Kercher are working together to provide a cost-effective project that will get optimal longevity for the Boardwalk.
Citizens can get more information on the Boardwalk committee’s work from the city website, www.cityofrehoboth.com.
Contact Ryan Mavity at ryanm@capegazette.com
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