Dewey Breaks Ground: New Town Hall, Police Station & EMS Facility Now Underway

It’s official: Dewey Beach has entered a new era.

On Friday, April 25, town officials, community members, and project partners gathered at the current town hall on Rodney Avenue to break ground on the long-awaited public safety and municipal facility. The event marked the beginning of a major infrastructure upgrade that’s been years in the making.

This isn’t just a facelift—it’s a complete transformation designed to solve longstanding safety issues, support first responders, and provide a modern, functional space for town operations.

A Much-Needed Upgrade for Dewey

The current facility, shared by town hall staff and the Dewey Beach Police Department, has long been considered inadequate—and in many ways, unsafe.

• There’s only one outdated holding cell, making it nearly impossible to separate male, female, and juvenile detainees as required by law.

• Shared bathrooms between town offices and the police department create serious security concerns.

• Officers often find themselves conferring in the parking lot due to lack of space inside.

• The building itself suffers from mold, poor air quality, and limited accessibility.

“We’re not just uncomfortable here—it’s actually dangerous,” said Police Chief Constance Speake.

What’s Being Built

The new facility, designed by Costello Construction, will be roughly four times the size of the current 6,000-square-foot building and built to Risk Category IV standards, meaning it can serve as a critical emergency operations center.

Phase 1 of the project—expected to take about 430 days—includes:

• A three-story, no-frills structure prioritizing function and safety

• Separate holding cells for male, female, and juvenile detainees

• A secure sally port for safe suspect transfers

• A police garage, alderman’s court, administrative offices, and multipurpose meeting room

Phase 2 will follow, involving the transfer of town operations to the new building, demolition of the old one, and construction of a new EMS station—estimated to take an additional 170 days.

No New Taxes—Just Smart Funding

Despite the $11 million price tag, Dewey residents won’t see new taxes or fees.

“We haven’t asked the public for a dime—and we’re not going to,” said Mayor Bill Stevens and Commissioner Paul Bauer.

The project is being funded through state and county grants, including Delaware’s Bond Bill.

Backed by Local Businesses

The local business community is on board. Steve Montgomery, owner of The Starboard and president of the Dewey Business Partnership, spoke at the groundbreaking:

“Whatever size the town hall ends up being, it’s clear the current one isn’t working. We trust our leaders to make the right call.”

What Comes Next

Construction is officially underway. If all goes according to plan, Dewey Beach will have a modern, efficient, and safe municipal complex ready to serve full-time residents, summer visitors, and first responders alike by mid-2026.