Green Light For Annapolis City Dock Facelift Met With Red Light From Some Locals
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)— The Annapolis City Dock will get what some call a much needed facelift.
Christie Ileto reports the master plan to revamp the area comes with some major opposition.
It's a Maryland gem for locals and tourists that will soon see some big changes.
"What the plan does is provide a 20-year road map for the future of the dock," said Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen.
The master plan to the Annapolis City Dock, among other things, widens the promenade, redevelops the vacant Fawcett boat supplies property and gives the option of building a floodwall.
The plan is something Mayor Cohen says preserves the city's history, while allowing some construction.
"We have to replace this bulkhead that is being undermined. We have to fix the nuisance flooding. The main parking garage for the City Dock area is over 40 years old and has to be replaced, and it would be nuts to do anything without a coordinated plan," the mayor said.
"You have to accommodate for what's happening in the future," said Deborah Neuhof, tourist.
Some tourists may welcome the plan approved early Tuesday morning, but some local businesses say the dock's history needs to remain untouched.
"There's nothing broken about City Dock," said Jeffrey Schaube, owner of Annapolis Marine Art Gallery.
While some businesses say they like the plans, other residents and businesses have long been concerned about changes to the flow of traffic, historic aesthetics and limited parking.
"Taking away parking, surface parking on the City Dock will damage the access and volume to the businesses that are here," Schaube said.
It's no secret parking is limited near the water, and city leaders say a parking study will be done if spaces are eliminated by the changes.
It's a change critics say they welcome if businesses aren't hurt and this gem's history stays intact.
City leaders say the master plan lays groundwork for future projects in the area.
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