New Beach Patrol HQ & Comfort Station Coming to Baltimore Ave.

May 17, 2024

Installation of timber piles has been completed. Foundation construction will now commence.

April 25, 2024

The contractor has run into difficulties in installing the 35-foot wood piles necessary for load-bearing support of the new facility. A little fewer than half of the 86 piles that are part of the original design have been driven to various depths. The piles provide the bearing load for the concrete foundation. The contractor is running into some kind of hard surface. It’s possible that it is some kind of obstruction or it may be dense or hardened soil. A soils engineer has taken boring samples, which are being analyzed.

Next week, a crane and other equipment will be brought in to facilitate installation of the remaining piles. Once more data is received regarding placement and depth of the piles, structural engineers and architects will determine if any additional piles may be required or other modifications needed to achieve the desired bearing capacity. Once piles are driven, the concrete foundation can be poured.

March 28, 2024

Foundation work will continue for at least the next 2-3 weeks. This includes installing timber piles and concrete work. Construction noise should be expected. The sidewalk on the north side of the project is currently closed; the boardwalk can be accessed via Baltimore Avenue from the south sidewalk.

March 14, 2024

Sheet pile installation at the beach patrol construction site has been completed. Work on stormwater installation will resume next week, and foundation work on the main building will begin the following week. Foundation work will include driving piles, bonding, and pouring concrete. Construction noise should be expected at the site at least through the end of this month and likely until the facility begins going vertical.

February 27, 2024

A crane is expected to be brought to the beach patrol construction site Thursday, February 29. Because of the size of equipment being brought in, parking restrictions will be implemented from about 5 am-2 pm at:

• the corner of Rehoboth Avenue and 1st Street
• 1st Street from Rehoboth Avenue to Baltimore
• at either end of the first block of Baltimore Avenue

"No parking" signs will be posted in advance.

The crane will be utilized for sheet pile installation at the construction site the week of March 4 and possibly into the following week. Please note that a portion of the boardwalk will be closed to pedestrians while this work is completed; pedestrians will still be able to walk along the narrowed boardwalk. In addition, sidewalk access to the boardwalk on Baltimore Avenue will be closed while construction is underway during the first part of the March 4 week; sidewalk access will be restored after working hours each day.

Following installation of sheet piles, which provide excavation support, helical piles, which provide structural support, will be installed. Vibrations and loud construction noise should be anticipated on and off throughout the month of March.

February 1, 2024

Demolition of the old facility will take place next week. Increased construction noise and vibrations should be expected in the area. Demolition is expected to take about five days. When initial demolition is completed, about 25% of the old facility will remain in place while workers transition utilities.

Working hours at the construction site are 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday. During the off-season, work may also take place from 9 am-5 pm Saturdays.

December 7, 2023

The contractor, Delmarva Veteran Builders, has begun preliminary site and utility work. Demolition of the existing building won't take place for several more weeks.

The contractor plans to shift work from one side of the facility to the other over the winter and spring, maintaining public access to the boardwalk and beach on either the southside or northside of the construction site in an alternating pattern. Both sides are anticipated to be accessible during the summer season.