Sale of Fawcett Building Would Pave Way for New View Downtown

The former Fawcett building in downtown Annapolis is scheduled to be sold and demolished by investors, but several legislative changes must be made before that can happen, the mayor said.

The sale and destruction of the current building, which rests next to the so-called Ego Alley, would enhance the waterfront view of the city's docks by repositioning a new building on the property, as first reported by The Capital-Gazette.

The group of investors includes Mark Ordan, the owner of the grocery chain that became Whole Foods; Paul Klaassen, Laura Linynsky and Edward Burnett, according to The Capital.

Ordan would not disclose the exact amount of the proposed sale, said to be in the millions of dollars.

Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen said the building has long been a key piece of property that could further enhance the city's crown jewel—City Dock. The sale and ultimate revitalization of the Fawcett property will pay dividends down the line, Cohen said.

"I think this is a tremendous opportunity, not just for that property, but for City Dock and downtown," Cohen said. "Mark and I believe this building will help prompt further investment from others throughout City Dock. "

Ordan told Cohen the building would include a retail element, and the structure would architecturally mirror the historic nature of downtown.

The new building would also be reoriented to enhance the views in that area. Instead of being perpendicular to Compromise Street, the new structure will be positioned to open up the view to the water, Cohen said.

But before any of that can happen, there are a number of contingencies built into the agreement to purchase the property. The City Dock plan for revitalization must be adopted by the City Council and two adjacent, city-owned parking lots must be consolidated into the Fawcett property. The Fawcett building's property is also currently zoned for only maritime uses, which would have to be changed before the sale.

Cohen said he and other city officials would move quickly to help ensure the requirements are fulfilled by the city, but said it could take time. 

"In terms of the administration, all of my staff knows this is a priority, so we're going to work together to make it happen," Cohen said.

The mayor said he would be introducing a City Dock rezoning ordinance on May 13.

See also:

•  (2012)
• Officials Call Fawcett Rezoning ‘A New Era’ for Downtown (2011)