REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. -- The City of Rehoboth Beach is asking for feedback from residents, business owners, and visitors in a stakeholder survey. The survey is part of a city-wide traffic and parking study.
According to Assistant City Manager Evan Miller, city consulting engineers Rossi Group spent the summer surveying traffic in the downtown area.
"The survey really augments that study," says Miller. "This is the opportunity for people to prioritize what they think are their key contributors to traffic and congestion in the city, and then also give general feedback and what recommendations they may have to improve those areas."
The 11-question survey is available on the city's online platform, Reach Out Rehoboth. People must register on the site to take the survey. The survey's questions not only focus on traffic and parking issues, but also pedestrian and bicycle safety.
The survey really helps us understand what priorities they have, but then also what are some of the habits. How far are people willing to walk to destinations in the city? What are alterative modes of transportation they might be willing to take aside from driving a vehicle?"
Former resident Sydney Tooze says she has seen traffic congestion increase and parking availability decrease over time. She suggests the city encourage visitors to use other modes of transportation as opposed to trying to find parking near the boardwalk.
"I would suggest that folks take advantage of the park and ride and bus into town whenever possible," says Tooze. "Then if the city is able to, post more more about that and encourage people to use it."
Maria Gillen says riding a bicycle into town to go to work is no longer a safe option because of increased traffic. She says parking for business employees should be a priority.
"They need to do something and a parking garage doesn't seem to be a bad idea," says Gillen. "It's just that there's no space."
The survey will be open until Nov. 26th. The results will then be published on Reach Out Rehoboth and sent to city commissioners to discuss at a Dec. 4 workshop.
