Save Historic Ellicott City
THE PROBLEM
In the span of less than 24 months, Ellicott City has endured two “1,000 year” floods. In 2016, the preservation community rallied around the community to rebuild and, in the process, spent millions of dollars and thousands of hours working to put the pieces back together. By early 2018, nearly 96% of the historic downtown storefronts were back in business – a stunning testament to the success of the recovery effort. Now, the people of Ellicott City are confronted once more with the unenviable task of determining the future of their historic town.
THE FIX
In response to the latest proposal by Howard County Government to demolish large portions of the Ellicott City historic district, Preservation Maryland released an official statement of concern and published a special report, “A Place for the Past: Preserving Ellicott City’s Heritage and Securing Its Future,” outlining the economic value of Ellicott City and viable alternatives to demolition. The report, which was authored by the staff of Preservation Maryland with the support of talented professionals throughout the nation, compellingly makes the case for the value of Ellicott City’s authentic heritage. Additionally, the report identifies several alternatives to demolition and explores specific case studies in the region where flood-prone historic buildings have been adaptively reused. Preservation Maryland continues to stand ready to support the rebuilding, recovery, and rehabilitation of this historic community.
Updates
AUGUST 2020
The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning has invited the public to read and comment on the draft Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan being prepared by lead firm, Mahan Rykiel Associates.
APRIL 2020
A case study of flooding in Ellicott City, Maryland was recently included as part of a larger study by the ResilientAmerica Program of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Executive Director Nicholas Redding was a major contributor to the report.
JUNE 2019
A Howard County-appointed committee created through Executive Calvin Ball’s “Safe and Sound” plan has recommended the creation of a Community Development Organization (CDO) focused on the revitalization and sustainability of historic Ellicott City. Executive Director Nicholas Redding was a member of the committee.
DECEMBER 2018
On Thursday December 27, 2018, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced of the new “Safe and Sound” plan to address persistent and devastating flooding in Ellicott City. Following that announcement, Preservation Maryland issued the following statement.
NOVEMBER 2018
Elections have consequences – and the most recent election in Howard County will have significant impacts on the future of historic Ellicott City. County Executive-elect Calvin Ball noted that moving forward the county will now “take time to evaluate all plans in progress for effectiveness and efficiency…and make a decision from there.”
OCTOBER 2018
Earlier this month, CB75-2018 was introduced during a session of the Howard County Council that could radically upend over forty years of preservation planning and investment in historic Ellicott City by eliminating the independent nature of the county’s Historic Preservation Commission.
OCTOBER 2018
Preservation Maryland has released the findings of an independent third-party review by a national recognized engineering firm of Howard County’s engineering reports and it uncovers major shortcomings in vetting the current demolition plan.
SEPTEMBER 2018
74 percent of Howard County voters support alternatives to demolishing large portions of Ellicott City’s historic district, according to a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy as part of a larger poll questionnaire.
AUGUST 2018
In response to the latest proposal to demolish large portions of the Ellicott City historic district, Preservation Maryland published a Special Report outlining the economic value of Ellicott City and viable alternatives to demolition.
REPORTS & PLANS
10/04/18
Third-Party Review of Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Plan
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
08/29/2018
A Place for the Past: Preserving Ellicott City’s Heritage and Securing Its Future
Preservation Maryland
08/23/2018
Statement on Ellicott City Demolition Proposal
Preservation Maryland
08/23/2018
The Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Plan
Howard County Government
07/24/2017
After Action Report: Ellicott City Flood of 2016
Preservation Maryland
06/16/2017
Ellicott City Hydrology/Hydraulic Study and Concept Mitigation Analysis
McCormick Taylor
08/04/2016
Historic Context of the Ellicott City Flood
Preservation Maryland
06/2015-03/2018
Minutes of the Historic Ellicott City Flood Work Group
Howard County Government
IN THE NEWS
11/07/2019
After the Water
NPR
05/13/2019
Howard to bore a tunnel and raze four buildings to ease Ellicott City flooding, could cost $140 million
Howard County Times
11/07/2018
Democrat Ball defeats incumbent Howard County executive Kittleman
The Baltimore Sun
10/16/2018
Weinstein amends proposal that would have made it easier to demolish historic Ellicott City buildings
The Baltimore Sun
10/11/2018
New report calls on Howard to pause plans to raze historic Ellicott City buildings
The Baltimore Sun
10/11/2018
Preservation group report challenges Howard County’s flood plan
Baltimore Fishbowl
10/05/2018
Proposal would make it easier for Howard to demolish historic Ellicott City buildings
Howard County Times
10/01/2018
Howard County Council approves two bills to fund removal of 19 buildings from flood-prone historic Ellicott City
Howard County Times
09/17/2018
Public weighs in on Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Plan
ABC2 WMAR Baltimore
09/11/2018
Podcast with Nicholas Redding of Preservation Maryland
Elevated Maryland Podcast
09/10/2018
Saving Historic Ellicott City with Mary Catherine Cochran
PreserveCast
09/07/2018
Preservation Maryland’s Nicholas Redding opposes razing Ellicott City Buildings
The Daily Record, Group Up Podcast
08/29/2018
Preservation Maryland offers alternatives to razing 10 Ellicott City historic buildings
Baltimore Business Journal
08/28/2018
Ellicott City economy depends on its past – don’t destroy it
Nicholas Redding, Executive Director, Preservation Maryland
The Baltimore Sun
08/27/2018
Plan to tear down Ellicott City buildings raises preservation concerns
The Washington Post
08/25/2018
Group upset with plan to demolish 20 historic buildings in Ellicott City
WTOP
08/24/2018
Preservationists urge more through on Ellicott City’s Main Street demolitions
Baltimore Business Journal
08/24/2018
Ellicott City: Must we destroy this village in order to save it?
The Baltimore Sun
08/24/2018
Plan to tear down Ellicott City buildings worries those concerned about preserving history
The Baltimore Sun
08/23/2018
What Ellicott City businesses are in the buildings slated to be razed under floor plan?
The Baltimore Sun
08/23/2018
Ambitious Ellicott City flood prevention plan would tear down 19 buildings in historic downtown
The Baltimore Sun
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.