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Dewey Beach agrees to pursue Army Corps-assisted Reid Avenue pump station, with town commitment capped at $330,000
Summary
Commissioners voted to move forward with a Reid Avenue pump-station project the Army Corps will assist, contingent on a Corps-partnership agreement and a town commitment of up to $330,000; the council asked that final designs retain public bay access and kayak-launch capacity.
Dewey Beach commissioners voted Aug. 15 to move forward with a Corps-assisted pump-station project for Reid Avenue that aims to reduce chronic Bayside flooding. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers already has an approved $1,000,000 grant for the work; the town would commit up to $330,000 in cash or in-kind contributions depending on the final scope.
Town Manager Bill Zolpert outlined the history of recurring floods and said the Corps funding came through a senator’s office. Peter Gorrie of the Army Corps told commissioners the Corps is preparing an integral determination report (IDR) that will identify what in-kind contributions Dewey Beach might provide and, once a partnering agreement is in place, the Corps will lead design and construction activities in coordination with the town. “This project is an assistance to Dewey Beach,” Gorrie said. “It’s not our project … we’re here to assist you.”
Resident David Moskowitz asked the council to place an explicit condition in any motion requiring that final designs preserve the town’s existing public bay access and the ability to launch kayaks and paddleboards. Moskowitz asked that such a condition be part of the motion “so this way, there’s no surprises later on.”
Commissioners said the town will be part of the review and approval process during design and that town staff and Beacon Engineering will be able to request accommodations — including the kayak launch — as design proceeds. The council approved a motion authorizing staff to proceed toward a partnering agreement with the Corps and to commit up to $333,000 of town funds (the motion language included a preservation-of-access provision), with an all-in voice vote in favor.
Next steps include completing the IDR, executing a partnering agreement, and moving to design-level work so the town can review drawings and cost estimates. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the $330,000 figure reflects a maximum town obligation and that design-level cost estimates will refine the town’s final contribution.
