Lewes Mayor and City Council, BPW reviewing agreement
The harmony between mayor and city council and the Board of Public Works has been the focus of many Lewes residents since a very public dispute between the two entities a few years ago. A memorandum of understanding was signed to resolve the issues, and at an Aug. 30 joint meeting, both parties assessed progress in key areas of the contract.
Several of the terms focused on not charging one another for services performed such as building inspections and utility hookups, but one noticeable item was a call for developing a master plan for the Schley Avenue property, which is owned by both parties. The property comprises a few buildings, including the Lewes in Bloom warehouse, with other areas already being utilized.
City Manager Ann Marie Townshend said engineering firm George, Miles and Buhr recently completed designs that will improve the parking area. Lewes Line buses and employees use the lot, but it's underutilized overall. The groups would like to develop a framework to guide cooperative development of the area, but existing conditions indicate substantial investment would be needed. Officials are willing to wait to find out the fate of a property that recently became available before obligating themselves.
The U.S. Army Reserve building off Savannah Road was also discussed. Vacated earlier this year, the building and the valuable land it sits on are up for grabs. All three of Delaware’s congressional representatives – Sen. Tom Carper, Sen. Chris Coons, and Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester – have taken time to discuss plans for the property with Lewes officials. Mayor and city council and the BPW have advocated for transfer of the facility to the City of Lewes, hoping to develop a municipal campus.
Council members have said in the past that the property would give them the space they need. BPW currently leases its offices from the city, an arrangement that began in October 2014, and is charged market rate for rent. Ultimate ownership of the former Army Reserve building has not yet been discussed, but Townshend said both organizations would be housed there. The General Services Administration is currently screening for interest from federal agencies such as the U.S. Postal Service, which has expressed an interest, according to Mayor Andrew Williams. GSA will then review the need for homeless use. If the property is still available, nonprofits and local governments will be offered a chance to buy. While the process is likely to take several years, officials will likely have a better understanding of their chances at obtaining the property during their next joint meeting.
