Save City Dock in Annapolis
THE PROBLEM
Proposed rezoning threatens to undo the character of City Dock and the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed City Dock as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2018. The rezoning will increase vehicular traffic, create a negative impact on viewsheds, erode the experience of living in and visiting Annapolis’s historic waterfront, and risks damaging the thriving heritage tourism economy.
THE FIX
Preservation Maryland will join efforts with Historic Annapolis, Inc. in their efforts to present a more compatible solution to revitalizing Annapolis City Dock in a manner that suits the needs of businesses, residents, and visitors, without compromising the integrity of the Annapolis National Historic Landmark District.
HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE
The Colonial Annapolis National Register Historic District is beloved by both locals and visitors and serves as a powerful draw for the area. Situated inside the District, Annapolis’s City Dock connects the rest of the District to the Chesapeake Bay. To preserve and enhance this vitally important place, protective ordinances have been in place for over 45 years with the abiding support of property owners, to ensure the height and massing of new buildings do not disrupt the character of the Historic District.
THREAT & GOALS
Proposed rezoning threatens to undo the character of City Dock, led to the listing of City Dock as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2018 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ordinance 23-18 will lift the height and bulk restrictions around the waterfront, eliminate oversight by the Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission, and discard any requirement for a public process. The rezoning will increase vehicular traffic, create a negative impact on viewsheds, erode the experience of living in and visiting Annapolis’s historic waterfront, and risks damaging the thriving heritage tourism economy.
Preservation Maryland joined, through an emergency grant of $5,000 from the Heritage Fund, the National Trust for Historic Preservation in raising funds to bring in Urban Land Institute Baltimore (ULI) to conduct a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) related to City Dock. The objective of the ULI Baltimore TAP program is to provide expert, multi-disciplinary advice on land use and real estate issues. The purpose of the TAP is to allow for further definition and details of redevelopment alternatives consistent with studies approved by the Annapolis City Council and to allow for a public conversation to increase the community’s understanding of alternatives.
Updates
MARCH 2020
The 441st Session of the Maryland General Assembly came to an abrupt close on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. As Maryland and the rest of the nation grappled with the outbreak of COVID-19, leaders in Annapolis decided to adjourn the legislative session early – something only done once before 159 years ago, on the eve of the American Civil War. Before Session ended, Preservation Maryland successfully advocated for several Legislative Bond Initiatives, formerly known as bond bills, that will impact a wide array of preservation projects around the state. The City Dock Action Committee’s recently released plan “Transforming City Dock” named the restoration of Burtis House as one of the priorities to preserve and maintain downtown Annapolis’ maritime heritage, character, and viewsheds. Thanks to the support of Sen. Elfreth (Anne Arundel County), Preservation Maryland will receive a grant of $75,000 for the rehabilitation of Burtis House in its historic waterfront location at the end of City Dock.
MARCH 2020
In early 2020, the City Dock Action Committee presented their recommendations for Annapolis’ City Dock in a public meeting, illustrated report, and a video of architectural rendering. The new report call for resiliency and preservation.
JANUARY 2020
With support and advocacy from an array of national, state, and local partners, including Preservation Maryland, the City Dock Advocacy Committee has worked steadily on crafting a sustainable and vibrant reimagining of Annapolis’ historic downtown waterfront. View the committee’s final report covering recommendations for environmental protection, uses, transportations, historic preservation and more.
BACKGROUND RESOURCES
09/2018
Cultural Landscape Report of Annapolis City Dock
Heritage Preservation Studies with Land and Community Associates
06/2018
Press Release: Annapolis Listed as One of America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places
Preservation Maryland
04/2018
Weather it Together: A Cultural Resource Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Annapolis
City of Annapolis
10/2013
Annapolis City Dock Master Plan: A Framework to Guide Improvements and Redevelopment
City of Annapolis City Dock Advisory Committee
2011
Building in the Fourth Century: Annapolis Historic District Design Manual
Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission
11/2010
Annapolis City Dock: A Technical Assistance Panel Report
Urban Land Institute Washington
01/2006
Annapolis Regional Transportation Vision and Master Plan
Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc.
1974
Colonial Annapolis Historic District
National Park Service
IN THE NEWS
10/08/2019
Historic Annapolis secures $107,000 from National Park Service to finish City Dock plan
The Baltimore Sun
05/13/2019
Annapolis panel to consider pilot park on City Dock Tuesday
The Capital Gazette
01/29/2019
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley backs new City Dock recommendations — and has a few of his own
The Capital Gazette
09/03/2018
Modernizing Historic Annapolis with Karen Theimer Brown
PreserveCast
08/26/2018
Robert C. Clark: Historic Annapolis working with the mayor on the future of City Dock
The Capital Gazette
08/17/2018
Yet another (very) different look at City Dock…complete with a ferris wheel
Eye on Annapolis
08/08/2018
Our Say: Visions for City Dock have changed, but consensus still needed
The Capital Gazette
08/01/2018
History repeating: A City Dock study offers reflection on the life of the waterfront
The Capital Gazette
06/26/2018
Preservationists fight for future of Annapolis City Dock
WBAL TV 11
07/02/2018
Annapolis named one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
PreserveCast
06/26/2018
Annapolis Historic District to be Listed as Endangered Site
The Capital Gazette
06/26/2018
Discover America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2018
National Trust for Historic Preservation
06/04/2018
Annapolis mayor responds to outcry over City Dock proposal
The Capital Gazette
06/04/2018
Annapolis mayor to reintroduce City Dock zoning legislation
The Capital Gazette
06/04/2018
Could Annapolis lose its Historic Landmark Designation?
The Capital Gazette
05/22/2018
Legislation to rezone Annapolis City Dock fails after five-hour meeting
The Capital Gazette
04/07/2018
Discontent grows with downtown Annapolis hotel proposal
The Capital Gazette
04/06/2018
Op-Ed from Historic Annapolis: No City Dock Development without more study and Respect for Historic Landscape
The Capital Gazette
Can we count on you?
Preservation Maryland isn’t just preserving the past – we’re investing in our future. In just the past year we’ve invested heavily in our work and refused to accept the mounting challenges as a reason to retreat or hold our position. You are making it all possible.