City Of Rehoboth Beach Approves Canal Dock Project

Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Improvement Association Approved to move forward with Rehoboth Lewes Canal Dock

Below is the announcement of the approval for the project to build a dock on the Lewes Rehoboth Canal near Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This will be on the canal just below the Rehoboth Museum and will accommodate up to two, thirty foot pontoons and have a kayak launch. It was announced today on the city’s website. Several years ago I went to a fundraising event for this project. I know Dave Green at Cape Water Tours & Taxi will be pleased to hear this, that will help him serve the City of Rehoboth with the water taxi service. The public will be able to ride to Rehoboth on the water, and spend the day without driving in the heavy summer traffic. That ride will also be a lot cheaper than paying to park for the day.

Rehoboth Beach (Feb 24, 2020) … At their regular meeting on February 21, 2020, by a vote of 5 to 1, the City of Rehoboth Beach Commissioners approved a construction bid to begin work on the Grove Park Canal Access Dock. The project estimate is $1.35 million with the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Improvement Association (LRCIA) having already raised approximately $1,074,204 through grants and donations. “This has been a project that the City, as well as the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Improvement Association, has been working on for 10 years,” says Paul Kuhns, Rehoboth Beach Mayor.

In January, the City received three competitive bids for the project. Thompson and Sons Contracting, Inc., from Milford, Delaware, submitted the lowest base-bid at $1,254,306. The City approved the base bid and a contingency of $100,000 for a total project cost not to exceed $1,354,306. The City committed $280,000 to move the project forward, subject to a memorandum of understanding between the City of Rehoboth Beach and the LRCIA. As the project develops, the LRCIA will continue in its fundraising efforts. Construction for the project is set to begin in early spring and is expected to be completed within a year.

In November 2011, a feasibility report conducted by Delaware-based Landscape Architectural Services, LLC and RK&K concluded that a Rehoboth Beach Dock could be built to satisfy all government and public codes and verified the following: 

• The development plan provides access to the canal via a pier and dock that accommodates two 30’ pontoon boats and kayak/canoe launch.
• The terminus design is ADA compliant.
• The terminus design ties into the existing Rehoboth Beach Museum site and complements its existing architecture.
• The terminus will create a western “gateway” to the City of Rehoboth Beach and better connect it to Lewes and Dewey Beach among other towns along Southern Delaware’s intercoastal waterway.

At the workshop meeting on Monday, July 8, 2019, the commissioners voted to support the Grove Park Canal Access Project to completion. For more information on the LRCIA, contact Mark Carter at 302-684-1000, ext.225 or Scott Thomas at 302-856-1818. 

 Rehoboth Dock Funding Spreadsheet

Grove Park Canal Access Updates Summary – 03 Jul 2019

Grove Park Canal Access Probable Costs (1 Base) – 02 Jul 2019

Grove Park Canal Access Probable Cost (2 Adds) – 02 Jul 2019

 Sponsor Administered Off-Alignment Agreement between DelDOT and City of Rehoboth Beach – 03 Oct 2019

 Bid Advertisement-Grove Park Canal Access

 Bid Results-Grove Park Canal Access Project

 Final Summary GPCA Bid Award LAS – 18 Feb 2020