L-R Beryl Downs, representing State Sen. Shaneka Henson, County Councilwoman Lisa Rodvien, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Mayor Gavin Buckley, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Del. Dana Jones and Del. Dylan Behler break ground on the City Dock Resiliency Project on Monday.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Mayor Gavin Buckley, joined by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, members of the Annapolis City Council, State Sen. Shaneka Henson, Del. Dana Jones and Del. Dylan Behler, along with numerous other state and local partners, broke ground on the City Dock Resiliency and Revitalization Project. This project is a transformational effort to protect Annapolis’ historic waterfront from the impacts of sea level rise and recurrent flooding, while creating a more vibrant public space for residents, visitors, and the maritime community.
This groundbreaking is the culmination of years of public engagement, planning, and review that began in 2019 with the appointment of the City Dock Action Committee (CDAC), a group of nearly 100 community stakeholders appointed by Mayor Buckley and the Annapolis City Council. Their charge: develop a comprehensive solution that balances flood protection, economic vitality, historic preservation, and quality of life.
“City Dock is the economic engine and centerpiece of Annapolis,” said Mayor Gavin Buckley. “It is the place where history, commerce, and community come together. With this groundbreaking, we take a major step forward in ensuring that heart keeps beating for generations to come.”
The reimagined City Dock will feature a raised and flood-resilient waterfront park, with floodgates and barriers to mitigate storm surge and tidal flooding. Additional benefits will include improved sight lines and water views, public water access, and community infrastructure such as shade areas, promenades and event space. The project continues through to Compromise Street on one side and the United States Naval Academy on the other, to ensure complete flood protection throughout downtown. It will also include a new park at the end of Prince George Street, to be named in honor of the late Vincett Leggett and a new Maritime Welcome Center that will house the Annapolis Harbormaster, improved public restrooms, and serve as a hub for Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel, the region’s official visitors’ organization. The Welcome Center will offer amenities for visiting boaters, including restrooms, package delivery, and workspaces, conveniences common to mariners in cities including Newport (RI), Elizabeth City (NC), and Norfolk (VA).
Annapolis City Council Members Sheila Finlayson, Mayor Gavin Buckley, Ross Arnett, Karma O'Neill and Harry Huntley break ground on the City Dock Resiliency Project on Monday.
“City Dock is a key fixture in the heart of Annapolis, but as we saw just last week, it’s plagued by frequent and worsening flooding that disrupts local business, tourism, and residents’ day-to-day life,” said Sen. aCheis Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “To protect its future, I’ve worked to deliver over $12 million in federal funding for Mayor Buckley’s plan to improve the resilience of City Dock against rising waters – while preserving this vibrant and accessible public waterfront. Today’s groundbreaking is an important milestone toward ensuring residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy everything downtown Annapolis has to offer for years to come.”
Adjacent to the new center, the City will begin restoration of historic Burtis House after earlier work by Preservation Maryland to stabilize the structure. A connection from the Maritime Welcome Center will make the Burtis site publicly and fully accessible for the first time, opening opportunities for educational and interpretive uses, including its potential role as the “Gateway to the Chesapeake.”
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in both our infrastructure and our identity,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Anne Arundel County is proud to be partnering on a resilience project that will both protect our communities from flooding and create a space for all to enjoy this magical waterfront.”
The groundbreaking marks the next phase in Annapolis’ broader resiliency effort, which began with the 2023 completion of the Hillman Garage through a public-private partnership. For additional information and status updates on construction, visit accessannapolis.gov.
