Transforming Our Waterfront

GREAT NEWS! On Sunday March 30, the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County affirmed the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission in approving the City Dock Resilience Project Phase 1.

This decision allows us to move forward on this essential resilience effort and means we are one step further on the path to transforming our waterfront from a flooded parking lot – with rising tides that continually threaten businesses and the fabric of our historic district – to a world class park and promenade with flood protection throughout the twenty-first century.

The City has always believed the decisions of our Boards and Commissions are sound, well-considered and will stand up under legal scrutiny. We will continue to vigorously defend these public processes and decisions whenever special interests act to jeopardize the health, safety and economic wellbeing of our community.

NEXT STEPS: Planned phasing for City Dock Resiliency Project

The City can now proceed with the critical pre-phase site preparation and utility work to underground unsightly power lines and transformers, as well as realigning storm drains and widening sidewalks. This work is necessary prior to, and separate from, the project itself which is slated to commence after the October Boat Show.

SPRING 2025: Site preparation: removal of harbormast building and utility undergrounding.
SUMMER 2025: Realignment of storm drains along Inner Dock Street.
OCTOBER 2025: Following the 2025 Boat Show, resiliency construction will commence including creation of a 6-8 feet earthen berm, installation of flood barriers and construction of the new park.

Removal of the existing Annapolis Harbormaster building began on Tuesday, April 2, 2025

BRINGING OUR HISTORIC WATERFRONT BACK TO LIFE: THE MARITIME WELCOME CENTER, VINCE LEGGETT PARK & BURTIS HOUSE

City Dock Resilience Project Phase 2

In late February, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) unanimously approved the second phase of the City Dock project which includes the Maritime Welcome Center (MWC), resilience connections through to the

US Naval Academy and the new Vince Leggett Park at the foot of Prince George St.

This phase of the project is now also subject to legal review after a lawsuit was filed by Historic Annapolis against the decision of HPC.

Again, we remain confident in the HPC decision that this project meets the Annapolis Historic District Design Guidelines. Their approval was proceeded by approval from the City’s Planning Commission and the State of Maryland’s Critical Area Commission.

Additionally, the Maryland Historical Trust, which holds an easement on the property, has found that the MWC meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Throughout each of these thorough review processes, the design of the Maritime Welcome Center in this historic context was determined to have met all local and state preservation standards.

Community’s Contribution

The final design of the Maritime Welcome Center, and of each aspect of the City Dock Project, reflects six years of robust community engagement and feedback. The Welcome Center was redesigned to incorporate many of the ideas received during this extensive public participation process including:

Reducing its size;
Re-orienting the MWC to directly face the water;
Creating an open and transparent façade to maximize views; and
Providing public access to viewing decks and the water.

Together, the Maritime Welcome Center, Vince Leggett Park, and connections to Burtis House will enable all residents and visitors to experience direct and easy access to the water for boating, fishing, and paddle boarding as well as a place for families to relax together in this incredible public space!

Thank You For Your Support!

Thank you to all who have contributed to this six -year process and helped us create this incredible new Public Space on our waterfront! We thank everyone who attended our community meetings, public hearings or provided comments in writing. Your feedback both positive and negative helped to make this project stronger at each step.

We want to recognize the tireless work of all the stakeholders, starting with the Resiliency Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Caucus of African American Leaders, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Annapolis Partnership, Visit Annapolis, Blacks of the Chesapeake, local clergy, City Dock Action Committee and Design Team, Annapolis Boat Shows, citywide residents, civic organizations, business interests, the Maritime community, environmental groups, and numerous non-profit organizations.

A special thanks goes out to former Gov. Parris Glendening, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien, and the US Naval Academy for their ongoing commitment to bringing these transformative waterfront projects to fruition!

Learn more about our amazing Maritime Welcome Center and how it’s glass walkway connection will finally enable the historic Burtis House to be used for public enjoyment!

Stay up-to-date on City Dock progress: www.AccessAnnapolis.com