Your Comments
I received your letter and conceptual plan for the redevelopment of Rudder town. I wish you good luck in the process, the plan looks like a lovely addition to Dewey Beach. Unfortunately I do not live close enough to attend the meetings to give you support but I just wanted you to know that some Dewey Beach owners are happy to see good investments in property that need to be brought up to the next level of use.
Joy Siegel
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When will you be done the redevelopment? We are planning on getting married in Summer '09 and I was wondering if you will have space for a wedding reception?
Thanks,
Kristen
View
Response from the Developer
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I appreciated the presentation by Hanna, etc the other day at Dewey. It dispelled many of my unfounded biases and I now support the project as they presented it. Thank you.
William Gibson MD (retired)
112 Read St.
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In building over the existing parking lot
and increasing the need for parking with condos and hotel
units by approximatly 200 spaces not including the ones lost
from existing parking lot. Since these spaces will still
be needed with the stores and restaurants still in place.
How many spaces do you see creating with the 3 story parking
lot and where is this lot as the second floor looks like
store fronts. But besides this concern and the additional
traffic in a aready over populated roadways the building
looks fine and I see no problem with height and tapered design
as Rehoboth has building of this height on the board walk.
William Peden
Custom Framers
View
Response from the Developer
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We own 5A Van Dyke at the ocean and support
your proposal for
development of Ruddertowne. I was at your last Saturday meeting.
Raymond D. Rice
Vienna, VA
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I would like to express my absolute disappointment with Mayor Dell Tush for wasting our time and the time of our neighbors this past Friday night. We all showed up to hear the facts about the Ruddertowne redevelopment project, but the Mayor had something else in mind. She blocked the public from seeing a power point presentation that commissioner, Mike Eisenhauer, had planned for everyone to see. Apparently Mr. Eisenhauer did not describe the presentation, on the agenda, as a "power point" presentation. This seems like a ridiculous technicality. Three papers and the radio informed everyone, over the past week, that they could come out Friday night to learn more about the project. Many people wanted to hear more about the project. We should have been allowed to see the presentation. Instead we were only able to hear from "anti-development" residents.
We would like to see Dewey become a resort community. This isn't going to happen without a resort hotel. It seems like some "anti-development" residents think that Dewey has a quaint image, comparable to Naples, Florida. I don't think that's true at all. It has a total party image. This development project will enhance the town and its image.
We need leadership in Dewey that allows full public disclosure of all of the facts.
Sincerely,
Russell Evans
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Hi - I'm a Dewey Beach property owner
and a lifetime resident of
Rehoboth Beach, DE.I think your plan to develop Ruddertowne
into a hotel/condo/business
complex is wonderful. I feel that the Town
of Dewey Beach should grant you a variance to the
height restrictions. They don't have to change the
zoning. Good luck. I can't attend you workshop
on Saturday. Unfortunately, I
can't vote in town elections, because my property is listed
as a LLC, even though it is only my daughter and
myself owning a town home on
Dagsworthy Ave.
Betsy Baumeister
Rehoboth Beach, DE
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We love Ruddertowne and spend at least
one day every single weekend at
Ruddertowne. Usually at the Rusty Rudder. We come on our boat, swim
in the bay - go to the Rusty Rudder to watch the band, eat lunch and
have a drink or two. Usully with many of my family members. We would
not like summer very much if there were no Rusty Rudder. We have met
so many friends over the years going there. I hope we will still be
able to make this our #1 boat destination every weekend. Our summer
home is across the bay, in Millsboro. There really isn't any boat
destinations like Ruddertowne. We all like to enjoy this with our
families and friends.
Thanks for being there!!!
Barbara
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We have owned property in Dewey Beach since
1976. We are appalled at the idea of a six-story building
at Ruddertowne, especially one that looks as out-of-place
as the drawing you sent. It looks like a Mayan temple has
been plopped down on the shore of Rehoboth Bay.
We will be sad to see the Rusty Rudder
and the rest of Ruddertowne close. But if there are really
only two choices, we think townhouses are a far more desirable
addition to Dewey.
No matter how many reassurances that this
would be the only exception to the height rule, we believe
that "the only" would be the first of many. Grant
one exception, and the requests for more will pile on. And
when they're denied, how much will the town have to spend
defending the suits brought by prospective developers who
won't take "no" for an answer?
A six-story building does not belong in
Dewey Beach. It is out of character and in poor taste.
Regards,
Steve & Anne Ritchey
View
Response from the Developer -------------------------------
Thank you for creating a place where
folks can get factual information
about the Ruddertowne re-development project. This vision for Dewey's
future, built around the Town's own wish list, is a significant step
in the right direction. This vibrant district-one that will draw
visitors year-round-has its roots in the town's own comprehensive
plan, and the town should be congratulated for envisioning a healthy
economic future.
I know that Sussex Countians will be
pleased to learn that year-round jobs (I think I heard
that construction alone will account for approximately
600 new jobs) will be available as a result of this project. Six
hundred new jobs!... .before hundreds more are created
in the restaurant, retail, hotel, physical plant, management,
administrative and support areas of the final product. The
revenue from transfer taxes alone will invigorate the
town coffers and perhaps allow for long-delayed projects
and initiatives to reach completion.
As a native Delawarean who spent every
summer at the Delaware beaches, I have to admit that Dewey
was never my chosen destination. I went to
Rehoboth or Bethany, and simply passed through Dewey on my way to
other places. Now that I am a full-time resident here, living just
a mile north of Dewey, I find myself wanting to be Dewey's
tourist/visitor.... perhaps even a future property owner. In fact,
every time I pull onto Route 1 in search of fun or food or good books or
entertainment, I experience "Ouija-car," as my vehicle turns south
toward Dewey, seemingly without my permission. Often, however, I am
re-routed back to Rehoboth or further south to Bethany because the
thing I am searching for is not open, available, or built yet. (This
is a great opportunity to plug Books and Coffee, a place I love to
patronize, but a place that has to abbreviate its hours in the
off-season because Ruddertowne, in its present incarnation, is simply
not a year-round destination). Last fall, I tried to take some guests
to the Dewey Beach Club for Team Trivia.not open; family members to
the Rusty Rudder Buffet... oops, only on the weekends; a voracious nephew
to Wings to Go...closed. As a full-time resident, I am happy to be
a full-time consumer, but for almost 9 months out of every year, my
'tourism dollars' are spent outside of Dewey Beach.
Years ago in San Antonio, Texas, city
planners envisioned a future that would make San Antonio
a year-round destination for tourists and a place the city's
residents would be proud to call home. The result
of that thoughtful planning is now called The Riverwalk. It is
currently the second-most visited destination in Texas (after the
Alamo), and boasts restaurants, art galleries, spas, entertainment,
riverboat rides, festivals, and community events. It is, quite
simply, the lifeblood of the community and a memorable experience for
all who visit. One resident said he was embarrassed to tell me how
much 'value' was added to his property(ies) as a result of this
project. I am not comparing Dewey Beach to a
city of over one million residents. What I am suggesting
is that in several years, when Dewey jobs are more plentiful,
and residents stroll their own boardwalk after dinner at
a great restaurant, and town budgets reflect an infusion
of revenue, and residents might be able to walk to a small
grocery store instead of driving north to a big one, and
year-round opportunities abound, and the kids we took to
the Rusty Rudder take their kids to Rusty Rudder redux,
we might want to thank the folks whose collective vision
got us there.
Maggie Mesinger
The Forgotten Mile, Delaware
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I think the concept only adds to
the fabric of the coastline of Dewey. I think the proposed
concept is an excellent blend of upscale residential and
commercial that is not currently being served in Dewey;
not to mention it's enduring positive economic impact.
Change is good, embrace it.
JR Leonard
Wilmington, DE
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Your concept plan looks great!!
Loyal
Rusty Rudder customer from Jays time!!!!
Daniel M. Fistere
Bethany Beach, Delaware -------------------------------
Thom,
I have been coming to Dewey
for 14yrs, I recently moved down here for good to raise
my family. I believe this is the best thing that
can happen to Dewey. We need a hub for business and
entertainment, I believe this is a great opportunity for
the town to take advantage of.
Regards,
Eric Blondin
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I'm very impressed with what you
have done with this web site in a very short time. Best
of luck with the project.
Graham Smith
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What a great website! Thank you
for being so transparent in your redevelopment plans and
involving the community in this effort to "Save Ruddertowne." Having
spent every summer of my life a short distance away in Bethany Beach, I was
horrified to learn of Highway One LP's plans to convert this landmark into
a measly 48 townhouses. My family, friends and I have shared countless
memories at Crabber's Cove, the Light House and the Bay Center.Dewey just wouldn't
be the same losing these attractions!!!! The plans are beautiful.I'll
be keeping my fingers crossed that they are fulfilled!
Best of luck,
Meghan P.
New York, NY -------------------------------
I have read the information on your
proposed project, and it sounds great. I spent many
summers as a renter in Dewey, and would love to buy if
we could ever afford it. The project looks nice compared
to what is already there, and would be a welcome addition
to the town. Dewey is great, and projects like this
will definitely better the area. Good job on communicating
your plans, and good luck!! Sincerely,
Kristin L.
Wilmington,
DE
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