City Dock Park Can Proceed After Annapolis Lawsuit, But Final Funding Awaits Approval

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Plans for Annapolis City Dock Park can proceed, an Anne Arundel County judge ruled recently.

The project, which would create a raised park to reduce downtown flooding, still faces a separate lawsuit.

The City of Annapolis still awaits final approval for a $33 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That money, the last piece of park funding, is in the middle of a two-year review.

The city expects FEMA to approve the grant after its archeological review and critical area examination. A city spokesperson said the money was already appropriated and does not face any uncertainty amid President Donald Trump's ongoing cuts to federal aid.

The lawsuit filed in November 2024 by an anonymous group aspired to block park construction. The suit alleged the city violated its parliamentary procedures in approving the park and the associated demolition of the harbormaster's office, WJZ reported.

Circuit Judge Michael Malone ruled Sunday that the Historic Preservation Commission of Annapolis made "no clear error or abuse of discretion," The Baltimore Banner reported.

An appeal is possible, but not certain. The Banner said the plaintiff's attorney, C. Edward Hartman III, is "reviewing the opinion and order with our client, who will decide the next steps."

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley applauded Malone's ruling.

"I thank Judge Malone for his thorough review of the HPC process and decision - especially because every delay drives up our costs," Buckley told Patch in a Tuesday statement. "This process has been community-driven for more than six years, and while decisions in City government can be frustratingly slow, that pace ensures we are hearing all sides and making thoughtful and sound decisions that best serve our community. I'm pleased the judge affirmed the findings and approvals by our all-volunteer Historic Preservation Commissioners."

In a separate lawsuit filed last month, preservation nonprofit Historic Annapolis raised concerns about the "size and scale" of the Maritime Welcome Center slated to be built at the new park.

The city plans to demolish the current harbormaster's officer and replace it with the larger Maritime Welcome Center. The blueprint calls for the welcome center to be connected to the Burtis House, a 19th-century home on the site.

Historic Annapolis strongly supports City Dock Park, but it thinks the Maritime Welcome Center needed deeper scrutiny under the city's preservation laws because it will affect the Burtis House.

The Banner said Historic Annapolis' lawsuit would not block construction on the rest of the park, only the welcome center portion.

Annapolis plans to start construction after this fall's boat shows if courts continue to side with the city and if the FEMA funding is approved.

The exact cost of City Dock Park is in flux. Previous estimates exceeded $70 million.

"The costs are being reworked," the mayor's office told Patch in an email. "Materials costs have changed and they have done some redesign to try to keep costs down."

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