The following letter was sent to Rehoboth Beach Mayor Paul Kuhns and Commissioners, with a copy submitted to the Cape Gazette for publication.
Along with the University of Delaware and all the many wonderful and talented artists in the Lewes/Rehoboth area, Clear Space Theatre is among the most prestigious and impressive attractions in Sussex County.
Clear Space has annual attendance of over 17,000 patrons, attendance that should increase by a third with the larger space and seating capacity of 300 that the new proposed theater will offer, and potentially much more when Rehoboth claims a state-of-the-art live performance theater in its downtown area.
Clear Space performers are seen in theater productions in NYC on and off Broadway, in Philadelphia, at many colleges and universities, on cruise ships, and elsewhere that afford the potential for more interest in Rehoboth.
The experience of performing at Clear Space, as well as the many young hopefuls who train, practice and perform at Clear Space, gives to our residents and tourists joy, exuberance, and pleasure that few other land attractions can claim, excepting the breweries and, of course, shopping.
Seventy-five percent of our patrons dine in a restaurant or visit the Rehoboth Boardwalk/Rehoboth Avenue, not to mention the additional revenues to the city of Rehoboth Beach that accrue in-season from parking and other vehicle-related fees.
Finally, I must point out that the current location of the theater is destined for other purposes. There is scant land, if any, available, suited, and priced appropriately in the center of Rehoboth to benefit Rehoboth and Clear Space Theatre Productions in such a viable way as the space being considered on the west end of Rehoboth Avenue.
Clear Space is such a medal on the chest of Rehoboth that I cannot imagine the city commissioners wanting anything but to preserve that trophy on its most visible mantel which is Rehoboth Avenue.
As a year-round local resident, patron of the arts, and constant patron of Rehoboth Beach businesses, I implore you to be the supportive timber we need in the city to keep this precious artery in town and in the forefront of our tourists.
Jeffrey and Ida Rowe
Harts Landing, Rehoboth
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