Rehoboth OKs plan to rebuild children’s pier

After nearly two years of discussion, Rehoboth Beach officials have agreed to move forward with the design and replacement of the Lake Gerar Children’s Fishing Pier. As approved Sept. 19, the pier will be in the existing location and be the same size.

The Village Improvement Association built the pier after the Storm of ‘62, using large pieces of timber left in the storm’s wake. The city has been exploring potential rebuilding plans since December 2023, when VIA representatives approached commissioners about an anonymous donor who was willing to put $250,000 toward the pier’s replacement – $200,000 for construction and $50,000 for future maintenance. The city also conducted a structural analysis that shows that if the pier is improved, it should be replaced.

Multiple options were explored, but ultimately commissioners decided to keep the same size and shape of the pier. The only lingering question going into the recent meeting was the location. One option had the pier in the existing location. Another had the pier coming off the lake bank in the same spot, but the pier would be skewed to the west away from the bridge.

Commissioner Patrick Gossett first made a motion to approve the design and placement of the pier farther out into the lake, but amended his motion to the existing location after a bit of pushback from Commissioners Craig Thier and Chris Galanty.

When the new bridge crossing Lake Gerar was built, a geotechnical analysis of the area near the pier was completed in 2007. At a previous meeting, a consultant said he’s comfortable with the analysis standing if the pier was rebuilt in the existing location, but not as comfortable if it was moved. 

Thier said he wouldn’t vote in favor of moving the pier away from the bridge because of risks related to conducting a geotechnical analysis.

Galanty said he thought the visual impact to the lake would be negative. It makes sense to keep the pier where it is, he said.

Mayor Stan Mills and Commissioner Mark Saunders voted against the motion because they favored the option with the pier moved away from the bridge.

Following the approval of the size and location, commissioners approved a second motion related to the funding agreement between the city and the VIA. As approved, the VIA has 30 days to provide the city with $200,000. When that’s done, the city will commence design and construction processes. The additional $50,000 will be placed in an escrow account and dedicated to future repairs. There will be a plaque installed recognizing the donor.

Moving forward, the timeline toward completion has design completed in January, permitting with the state beginning through the winter and into the summer, and then construction tentatively in fall 2026.

The Village Improvement Association’s Kate McKenzie thanked the commissioners after all the issues were resolved.

“It’s going to be great. The kids are going to enjoy it,” said McKenzie.