Improving Baltimore, Wilmington streetscapes won’t be cheap

A consultant has estimated the cost of streetscape and pedestrian improvements on Baltimore and Wilmington avenues in Rehoboth Beach to be at least $24 million. The estimate does not include costs for undergrounding utilities or right-of-way easements.

For roughly a year, the city, in conjunction with the state, has been exploring ways to improve pedestrian safety and commercial foot traffic on Baltimore and Wilmington avenues. The task force area of study includes the first two blocks of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues; First Street between Baltimore and Wilmington avenues; and Second Street between Wilmington and Rehoboth avenues.

During a special commissioner meeting Dec. 7, Alexis Morris, a senior planner for consultant Rossi Group, said there are poor intersection conditions existing throughout the study area, and limited visual connection from the Boardwalk to Baltimore and Wilmington avenues.

As presented, there would be a reduction of parking in the project area from 329 spaces to 247, including removal of all parking spaces on First Street, from just south of the Maryland Avenue intersection to just south of the Wilmington Avenue intersection. The removal would accommodate travel lanes and turning lanes, while increasing sidewalk width.

The concept also includes the removal of parking along the Boardwalk end of Baltimore and Wilmington avenues to accommodate pedestrian plazas and turnaround zones, with limited vehicle parking for deliveries.

There would be less vehicular parking, but there would be a significant increase in scooter parking – 55 spaces to 88 – and bicycles – 8 racks to 21.

Mayor Stan Mills began the post-presentation discussion. He acknowledged the cost was more than expected, and the loss of parking was eyebrow-raising. Still, he said, this is a one-shot deal and if the city is going to do it, it should be done right.

There are challenges that can be overcome, said Mills. City officials thought the Rehoboth Avenue streetscape project was way beyond the city’s pockets, but it managed to be done, he said.

Rossi Group’s presentation was put on the city’s website and given to commissioners the day before the meeting. Commissioner Susan Gay said she initially gasped at the cost when she saw the report. However, she said, the cost of the Rehoboth Avenue streetscape project was $34 million, which translates to roughly $50 million in today’s dollars.

There could be good opportunities for infrastructure grant funding right now, said Gay.

Commissioner Tim Bennett asked if the task force had considered removing all the parking on the ocean blocks of Baltimore and Wilmington.

Mills, who conducted all the task force meetings, said early on there was a brief discussion, but there are already grumblings about what is being proposed. The removal of all those parking spots would probably force the building of a parking garage, he said.

Concerns were raised during previous meetings about the turning radius of delivery trucks and emergency vehicles if bump-outs are added to intersections. Morris said the intersections shown in the presentation were designed to accommodate a vehicle with a wheelbase of 40 feet.

Mills added the state’s transportation department had agreed to send engineers to get the specific dimensions larger trucks would require.

Dr. Michael Trahos, who owns property on Wilmington Avenue and North First Street, said he was concerned about the wholesale removal of parking on North First Street.

The presentation did not include details on design style and amenities. Morris said those discussions would come at a later date.

Commissioners will continue the streetscape discussion Tuesday, Dec. 14, with a presentation by JMT Engineers on the logistics of undergrounding utilities in the project area.

A third special meeting on the subject is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4. Mills said that will be the opportunity for commissioners to discuss if and how to move forward on design, engineering, funding and construction.