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Honoring and celebrating Annapolis’ maritime history and diverse cultural legacy.
On February 18, 2007, Dick D’Amato, an attorney and former state delegate from District 30, and I co-authored an opinion piece for The Capital-Gazette, titled, “City Dock work isn’t merely cosmetic.” It seemed to us that this precious area was a parking lot for most the year before being the venue of important annual sail and power boat shows. We thought City Dock could be a better place, and we were worried about the persistent flooding that was hurting downtown commerce. At the time, there was a $9 million proposal for a “vital face-lift” to complete the work.
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U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen speaks at the City Dock FEMA Grant press conference on March 6, 2026.
We wrote, “City Dock could be enhanced as a community magnet (a centerpiece for cultural and family activities) if we choose to take advantage of it.” We suggested, “The Annapolis Mayor (then Ellen Moyer) should establish a citizen’s body to examine anew this location’s exhilarating potential.”
Finally, in 2019, Mayor Gavin Buckly appointed a City Dock Action Committee (CDAC) to study all the solutions of the flooding issue and find ways to improve Annapolis’ important waterfront. Former head of the City’s Planning Zoning Department, Eileen Fogerty was hired to administer the project. A successful piece of the equation was the construction of the new Mills-Hillman Parking Garage behind Main Street. The enhanced garage, with 586-parking spaces, opened in June 2023 and alleviated the need for parking on City Dock.
Move ahead 19 years after our newspaper article and, happily, construction at City Dock is underway—although the estimated price tag has skyrocketed. The total cost of all the planned upgrades, including a renovated historic Burtis House, a new Maritime Welcome Center, utility work, site work, and landscaping approaches $100 million.
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Flexible and programmable public space for festivals, markets, and events.
Our Congressional leaders, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, in working with Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Maryland State Delegate Dana Jones, Mayor Jared Littmann, and the Annapolis City Council, secured a $35,522,069 grant from the U.S. Government to help pay for the resiliency phase of City Dock’s renovation. The specific purpose of the government’s funding is to reduce flooding and storm surges on City Dock. Additional funding is being augmented by the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, and the City of Annapolis.
Senator Van Hollen and the government leaders celebrated the funding announcement on City Dock on March 6, 2026. During his remarks the senator noted, “There was a growing backlog of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) projects but also growing frustration with what was happening with the project backlogs all over the country. And so, all that pressure built, and the dam broke. And the good news is (U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security) Kristi Noem is out and the funding for the Annapolis dock is in!” A sustained round of applause broke out.
Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth added, “All the small businesses you see around here, every time there is a major flood, we are all on the phone checking in, making sure they have what they need, making sure we’re corralling the state resources and local resources to get them what they need.”
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A series of mechanical and floating flood barriers around the perimeter of Ego Alley.
The City Dock project has had many challenges including lawsuits, skeptical residents, angry historic preservationists, and general uncertainty about funding. Additionally, temporary pumping stations and backflow preventers have been placed around City Dock to deflect storm water surges. The pumps are annoying and unsightly, but necessary. Flooding is particularly acute during significant rainfall events in the summer months. Flooding brings unwanted garbage, sediment, and debris causing pollution to our waterways.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a study based on readings from the Annapolis Tide Gauge Station that showed a dramatic increase in the number of hours and days Annapolis suffers from flooding. The NOAA report says Annapolis had 120 flooding events in 2024. Just five years earlier the number of flooding days was 69. Go back to 1950 and flooding events averaged only two times per year. Sea levels are rising at an alarming rate making the resiliency project urgent. The devastating cost to local businesses is significant. The City of Annapolis has forecasted more than $125 million in economic damage over the next 30 years if flood mitigation action does not take place.
Adding to the engineering challenges, the City of Annapolis must adhere to environmental regulations to protect the surrounding waters. This includes filtering the debris that comes with flooding. It is a complicated project.
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has the responsibility within the City’s Planning and Zoning department for reviewing zoning reviews. The HPC ruled in favor of the City Dock plan. The courts have ruled in favor of the HPC rulings.
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An elevated and resilient City Dock, designed to reduce the impacts of tidal and storm surge flood events.
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A new, raised waterfront park with open lawn, native landscaping and shade.
Mayor Jared Littmann and his new administration have been working hard to move the project forward. Construction on City Dock was slow over the winter due to severe icy weather. With spring finally arriving and new funding in place, the pace of construction has accelerated. The height of City Dock will be raised 3 to 6 feet with deployable barriers during significant flooding events. An elevated City Dock will be a green park, eliminating a considerable amount of asphalt.
A parallel project is building the new Maritime Welcome Center that will house the Harbor Master office, an area where Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County can provide tourist information, restrooms, and a place for visitors to find a respite. The adjacent park will provide an entertainment area, room for boat shows, hosting sporting events, concerts, and a long list of ceremonies. There will be areas of shade, which have been non-existent along City Dock. The end of Prince George Street will also be converted into a park on the opposite side of the Burtis House. It is hoped that visitors will be able to gain access to the U.S. Naval Academy, which is located on the north side of Prince George Street.
Building a resilient and welcoming City Dock will attract residents and visitors to spend time downtown. This will be a benefit to local businesses that have suffered through storms, flooding, and now, construction. In the meantime, the project will proceed. The City is aware of the need to make room for the boat shows in October. When finished, City Dock will be an improved and vibrant place. And flooding will not be problem for a long time.
Gary Jobson is a world-class sailor, television commentator, author, longtime resident of Annapolis, and pre-eminent ambassador for sailing of the United States. He either serves on or has served on the boards of Operation Sail, US Sailing, Olympic Sailing Committee, Leukemia Cup Regatta Series, Annapolis Yacht Club, National Sailing Hall of Fame, Chesapeake Bay Trust Board of Directors, and Visit Annapolis, among many others.
