Dewey Beach reports $11M town hall progress, $73,000 state reimbursement and loan to bridge funding

Town Manager Bill updated the Dewey Beach commissioners July 17 on summer operations and the town hall construction schedule, reporting steady progress inside the new building and a few outstanding elements such as elevators and interior trim.

Bill said the town’s larger project is an approximately $11,000,000 build; he reported about $25,000 in change orders so far and noted $73,000 reimbursed via a state bond for town-owned street paving in the north end. The council previously approved a $3,000,000 loan designed to cover operating costs as the project moves between phase 1 and phase 2, and Mayor Stevens said Sussex County funding — including $1,500,000 earmarked for an EMS station on the back of the property — will phase in later in the schedule.

Fundraising efforts for a donor-recognition program (a donor wall and walk-of-fame bricks) have raised over $400,000 toward the program; the council expects to process the first donor-brick order around Labor Day. Town staff said a punch list remains and elevators have not been installed yet; specific dates for final occupancy were not provided.

Separately, the council approved two routine personnel/board reappointments: Dave Lines was reappointed as chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission for a three-year term, and the town’s Board of Elections members and election officials were reappointed for one-year terms ahead of the upcoming election.