Rehoboth Beach City Hall Addition & Renovation

The Rehoboth Beach City Hall complex upgraded a functionally deficient public service and safety facility, and EDiS Company was instrumental in delivering this project successfully as the Owner’s Representative. Most of the City’s operations had previously been housed within four separate structures onsite while other departments were located offsite prior to construction, and all of these facilities had outlived their useful lives. Of most critical concern was the Police Department, obsolete by modern standards. As the City’s primary civic structure, there was a design priority to extend the scale and appeal of Rehoboth Avenue’s historic streetscape. All non-public works related departments were to be located onto one site in one central facility, and the major addition was designed to provide the public with easy access to City Hall and, separately, the Police Department. While sharing the building, both entities work independently. Public safety was paramount, and issues typical to detainee processing, witness privacy, and all performance had to be addressed while improving the existing site.

The Municipal Complex is 2½ stories, 44,000 square feet. On the First Floor, the building now consists of a state-of-the-art 911 Dispatch Center, a detention area, sally port, an office for police officers, and an interview room. The City Hall side features offices for the Mayor, City Manager, Administrative staff, and the Finance Department. On the Second Floor, the Police Department has offices for the Chief of Police, Detectives, administrative staff, and a break room while the City Hall side includes offices for the IT Department, Building & Licensing Department, Alderman Court, a Commissioners Room, and Commissioners Caucus Room. Finally, the Third Floor accommodates a training room and has unallocated spaces that can be used for future offices. The existing Convention Center remained in place during the construction of the new building, but underwent thorough improvements to the main lobby, flooring, and restrooms. 

New technology integrated into the building has enabled the City to live stream and video/audio record meetings, providing residents with the ability to participate in their city government no matter where they are. The design of the new building creates a more welcoming environment to the public, as evidenced by the City’s partnership with the Rehoboth Art League and Coastal Camera Club to display artwork throughout the Municipal Complex. Additionally, more meeting spaces and the renovated Convention Center provides adequate spaces for community groups to hold special events and meetings. 

1 of 7 Rehoboth Beach City Hall Interior