Downtown Lewes parking issues are not new

Betsy Reamer said the first meeting she attended as executive director of Lewes Chamber of Commerce was about business district parking issues. That was 23 years ago. Since then, she has served on three parking-related committees with limited success.

Now, make it four. She is serving on one of two parking committees, one to look at downtown-area parking issues, the other parking issues on Lewes Beach.

“Even if there isn't a parking issue, there is a perceived one, and perception is reality,” Reamer said. “It's affecting our downtown businesses.”

She said parking becomes a problem when merchants compete for tourist dollars with resort towns that don't have parking issues.

Reamer said over the years, she has been charged with looking at construction of a parking garage to expand the number of downtown parking spaces. She said the idea was abandoned because of the lack of land and the cost of the project.

Committee members agreed they need more data before making any concrete recommendations. Most of the parking data the city has is contained in a 2012 study conducted by the Greater Lewes Foundation.

The committee also agreed some parking issues have changed over the past five years as Lewes has become more of a year-round destination. Mayor Ted Becker said some of the land that could have been used to expand parking has now been developed or is used by businesses all year.

Reamer said Lewes was selected by USA Today as the second best small-town shopping area. “We are a destination for people who are looking for a small-town, historic experience, and a lot of those people are retired,” she said.

“And we have thousands upon thousands of people who live just outside Lewes who identify with Lewes,” said Lewes Councilwoman Bonnie Osler.

She said the committee needs to address a long list of issues, including promoting the walkability of the town. “And it needs to be a community-wide discussion,” she said.

Long list of parking issues

Issues raised at the July 12 meeting included the possibility of jitney service, improved bus service, expansion of parking to existing areas that prohibit public parking for most or parts of the day, such as the M&T Bank lot, parking for older and handicapped motorists, parking areas for workers, valet service, permits in residential areas, parking of delivery trucks and signage.

Becker said there is also a traffic flow issue, particularity on Second Street, as motorists tie up traffic waiting for parking spaces.

In addition, Becker said, the committee will identify how much public parking is available at the Lewes Little League Park. He said the Orton family owns part of the land. “We need to delineate what is the city's and what belongs to the family,” he said.

Committee member and Second Street resident Nancy Staisey said the committee needs a clear objective. “Is it that anyone who comes here can park or is there a cap?” she asked.

She said another issue that has arisen over the past few years is the increase of Airbnb and VRBO rentals in residential areas. Staisey said that has caused an increase in people illegally reserving parking spaces in front of their homes. She said cones along streets are springing up like rabbits. “We need to respond to this.”

Church Street resident Don Long said because of the increase in rentals and Beebe Healthcare employee vehicles, parking on Church and Mulberry streets does not exist. “I just park my truck and ride my bike a lot,” he said.

According to Airbnb, during the 2017 tourist season, 3,700 guests utilized the service in the Lewes area, generating more than $597,000 for rental hosts.

Becker said Lewes officials will address rental issues in the near future.

Committee member Matt DiSabatino, owner of Striper Bites, Half Full and Kindle in downtown Lewes, said the committee should focus on how to make parking practical so that people are not deterred from coming to Lewes. “Others outside Lewes are getting practical,” he said.

Becker said the committee is charged with making recommendations to council by Monday, Oct. 15, in case funding is needed to be placed in the city's next budget. Becker said the committee would have at least one joint meeting with the beach parking committee.

The next business district parking meeting has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 7, in Lewes Town Hall. Becker said updated parking statistics will be presented during the meeting.