Wilmington/Baltimore Streetscape concept plan to be presented at December 7 special Commissioners meeting

The Rossi Group will present the Wilmington/Baltimore Avenues Streetscape concept plan to the Rehoboth Beach Board of Commissioners at a virtual special meeting at 2:30 pm Tuesday, December 7. The plan is the result of a nine-month effort to create streetscape concepts designed to elevate perception of and interactivity with the commercial core of the study area while encouraging pedestrians, bicyclists, and other alternate transportation modes.

The study area includes the first two blocks of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues as well as adjacent blocks of 1st and 2nd streets. The project is a collaborative effort between Rehoboth Beach and the Delaware Department of Transportation, who is funding concept development through the Federal Highways Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program.

Concept planning is the first checkpoint in development and implementation of actual streetscape elements, such as sidewalks, multiuse pathways, sitting areas, landscaping, lighting, and green infrastructure. Selection of the actual elements to be incorporated will take place in a future design phase.

The Rossi Group and a task force comprised of property and business owners, community organizations, commissioners, and city staff began work on the concept plan around the first of March. In addition to numerous task force meetings, a public open house was held in September to share draft concepts and obtain citizen feedback.

Public input and questions will be received at the December 7 meeting. Written comments may be sent to Ann Womack at least two business days in advance of the meeting. Those who wish to speak at the meeting are required to pre-register by emailing Ann Womack at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Related to this project, the Board of Commissioners will receive a logistics analysis related to undergrounding utilities in the study area, including cost estimates, at a December 14 special meeting. With the concept plan in hand, Commissioners will in the future decide if and how to move forward on design, engineering, funding, and construction of a renovated streetscape on Wilmington and Baltimore avenues.