The City of Rehoboth Beach has officially approved plans for a new Beach Patrol headquarters at their recent town council meeting. The decision comes after a prolonged and complex process that saw delays in the demolition of the old single-story headquarters located at the end of Baltimore Avenue.
The old building, was scheduled demolition for September 18th, with plans to make room for a new $4.9 million two-story facility. However, last-minute complications arose when city council realized more needed to be done according to the town charter and state code relating to the abandonment of Baltimore Avenue.
The town needed to hold a public hearing and receive, and present, an official report from the Planning Commission. Now that these steps have been completed, the demolition of the old building is expected to commence next week in the first week of December.
Mayor Mills says he is excited to finally get the project underway,
"While we may not be on the schedule we had hoped for, the contractor is alert to what our time frame is, and now we can get this thing workable and usable within the next two, two and a half seasons," said Mills.
Residents in the town are ready for the change,
"It’s about time; things are growing bigger and bigger, and it’s time to grow with it." said Rehoboth neighbor John Spito.
Although there is no expected increase in costs due to the delay, the city will have to allocate $100,000 for portable bathrooms as construction continues next summer.