Rehoboth bulking up Boardwalk, Bandstand area with bollards

Citing a need to enhance pedestrian safety, Rehoboth Beach officials announced a $1.1 million plan to install nearly 70 bollards and swing gates in the area around the Bandstand and Boardwalk.

“Due to the heavy pedestrian presence during our summer concerts at the Bandstand and the city’s desire to physically secure the area around it, the bollards and new safety measures will prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian areas,” the city said in a press release Oct. 6. “This is especially important during larger city events like the [Fourth of July] fireworks and the Christmas tree lighting. The bollard placement along the Boardwalk will protect pedestrians, and the Boardwalk itself, on a regular basis.”

According to the city, the plan calls for 32 bollards, spaced 5 feet apart, to be installed on Rehoboth Avenue approaching the Bandstand, and approximately 35 bollards at the edge of the Boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue. The plan will also include two active barriers, which are drop arm or swing gates, on Rehoboth Avenue at the Boardwalk. The city said it considered using retractable bollards by the Boardwalk, but determined the swing arm gates would work best to allow for emergency vehicle access.

The city has been working on this project for more than a year, said Brooke Thaler, city communications director. It was discussed in executive session because a pedestrian safety plan falls under state code definition of things allowed to be discussed privately, she said.

The $1 million project was not put out to bid, considering it was a public emergency as determined by the commissioners, said Thaler. 

As part of its press release, the city said the funding for this project is coming from savings in the Rehoboth Beach Patrol project. When last reported in April, construction costs were about $5.7 million, which is about $750,000 above the contracted amount of $4.9 million.

Thaler said the city included $2.4 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget for the construction, construction management and inspection for the remaining work on the beach patrol headquarters. The city doesn’t expect to use the full amount budgeted, and funds will be reallocated to the bollard project, she said, adding the city is also expecting funding from a Homeland Security grant.

Rehoboth Avenue is the first phase, with at least four additional phases over potentially five years, said Thaler. For security purposes, the city is holding off on sharing those details for now, she said.

The announcement of the pedestrian safety plan is the second safety-related infrastructure project the city has announced after the fact. Throughout this year, the city has installed a number of AI-powered license plate readers and live-feed cameras through the city.

Security and public safety are of utmost importance to the city, said Thaler. The plans for enhancing safety can also attract bad actors, thus the city has been careful in releasing information that can be safeguarded, she said.

Thaler said the city has spoken with the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce and Rehoboth Beach Main Street about the project, and both are supportive of the measure.

The press release announcing the plan mentions it was spurred by an individual with a wealth of public safety knowledge. The city doesn’t reveal residents’ identities without their permission, said Thaler, when asked. 

As for the aesthetics, the city said they are looking at neutral-colored bollards, similar to types used in other pedestrian areas. The bollards often go unnoticed, especially once people are used to them, said the city.

Commissioners are expected to award the contract during their meeting Friday, Oct. 17. There’s a deadline of Monday, Nov. 1, to issue a notice to proceed. Bollards will then be manufactured and sent to Rehoboth Beach for anticipated receipt in February, for installation beginning in March. The project is expected to be completed by May 15.

If the notice to proceed is delayed, the city runs the risk of construction occurring into late May or early June, said Thaler.

While the project appears to be a done deal, citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the plan at the Oct. 17 meeting and on the city’s Reach Out Rehoboth website.