$14 million science education center near Rehoboth Beach

Newark wants to build a $20 million downtown parking garage. Wilmington is looking to spend $30 million to replace 30 miles of aging water mains. And Sussex County would like $14 million to build a science education center near Rehoboth Beach.

All of these projects are among wish lists that governments up and down Delaware -- and across the country -- are preparing to send to the Obama administration under a plan to jump-start the economy by spending about $775 billion on public works.

If Delaware gets its share, it would create short-term construction jobs as well as long-term benefits, Governor-elect Jack Markell said.

"It's critical that the stimulus bill have a lasting impact," he said. "There are plenty of meaningful projects. They'll be focused on providing an immediate impact in the near-term in terms of jobs, but will also have a lasting impact in terms of a better quality of life."

Ted Kaufman, who is slated to succeed Vice President-elect Joe Biden in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 15, said he plans to make sure Delaware gets its cut of the money. He said he will lobby federal agencies to make sure that happens because he expects them to be the ones who decide on the projects, not federal lawmakers who want to insert congressional earmarks into the package.

Obama has said he wants the stimulus package to "create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s."

Delaware Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks said that makes Delaware well-placed to get its piece of the pie. She's the president of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials and met with congressional leaders about the stimulus bill on Dec. 8 in Washington.

Markell announced Tuesday that Wicks will continue on as transportation secretary in his administration.
Sussex seeks $250 million

Sussex County officials late last month sent a list of more than 110 suggested projects -- more than $250 million worth -- to the state's congressional delegation. The projects were submitted by local municipalities, working through the Sussex County Association of Towns.

The county's unemployment rate, highest in the state, is expected to increase with the construction slowdown, County Administrator David B. Baker said

The projects include sewer work, sidewalk repairs, road resurfacing and trash trucks.

They include $19.6 million for 10 projects at the county airport near Georgetown; $2 million for the Bethany Beach water tower; $14 million for the proposed Destination Station science education center near Rehoboth Beach; and $8.2 million for new town hall buildings, expansions and renovations in Blades, Bridgeville, Fenwick Island, Georgetown, Greenwood, Henlopen Acres, Milford and Selbyville.

Georgetown's wish list includes $11.2 million in funding requests, including money for upgrades to sewer, drinking water and drainage systems. Just over $5 million is needed for flood prevention and urban renewal, according to a request submitted to Baker.

source: delmarvanow.com