crabsailing.org
Annapolis, MD - Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), an Annapolis nonprofit currently celebrating 30 years of bringing the experience of sailing to those with disabilities, recovering warriors, and local youth from underserved neighborhoods, is currently in the works of constructing a new marina coming to Annapolis in 2022. CRAB shared a progress update in their December newsletter:
"Oh what a successful year we enjoyed!
A tremendous thank you to the 140 donors who have donated $1,914,632 in support of the Adaptive Boating Center. This $5M project would not have been possible without the private philanthropic support from CRAB volunteers, Board Members, families, and foundations who have shown their love for CRAB's mission and programs. Your generosity in support of CRAB's Adaptive Boating Center is unprecedented and on behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank you for your gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
CRAB recently received approval from the City Planning Commission for the site plan. The next step is to get the grading and building permits from the city after approval of the myriad of building documents. With the Arthur & Patricia Edwards Family Marina completed, the focus will be leveling the existing structures, grading the property, and the construction of the Lawrence B. Taishoff ABC building, the Arthur Birney Sr. Pavilion, and the (Boathouse Name).
The Board has approved continued fundraising for a $500,000 ABC reserve fund in anticipation of future needs, equipment, and increased programmatic expenses at the new facility. Here’s to 2022 and the ABC!"
On September 2, 2020, the State of Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved the $1.8 million Program Open Space (POS) grant for the City of Annapolis to acquire property at 7040 Bembe Beach Road for $2,250,000. Anne Arundel County contributed $1.3M and the City of Annapolis committed $500,000 of their POS funding, which is in addition to the $1M committed by the State of Maryland in the 2019 Capital Improvement budget. The City of Annapolis closed on the property October 30th and CRAB signed a 40-year lease with the City of Annapolis on November 19, 2020.
Demolition and construction on the property will include replacing the fixed dock marina with a 16-slip floating dock that will exceed ADA standards. The existing house and 4,000 sq. ft. commercial building will be demolished and removed with new construction including a 2,600 sq. ft. learning center with office space that will be built outside the 100’ critical area, significantly reducing the structural impervious surface in the critical area. The ABC will also be a model of environmental stewardship utilizing solar energy, recycled building materials, and rain garden landscaping. An open-air pavilion and picnic area will provide a comfortable venue for greater socialization among guests, families, and caregivers, while looking out at Back Creek.
Plans for the ABC include a training classroom and will offer instruction using virtual technology to assist people with disabilities who want to increase their sailing skills or earn a Maryland Boating Certificate, to learn about marine trades, and offer job training and internship programs. Additional adaptive water sports and programs will be offered at the ABC to expand outreach to more guests including paddle boarding, kayaking, and remote-controlled sailboat racing.
CRAB’s fleet of boats will also expand to include an adaptive pontoon boat that will allow people in wheelchairs to experience being on the Bay - fishing, crabbing, or earning a boating certificate. Another vessel to be added to the fleet will be a larger sailboat so that CRAB sailors can participate in Wednesday Night Sailboat Racing.
