Press Release: Circuit Court Upholds Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission Approval of MWC

Press Release

City of Annapolis

Public Information Office

160 Duke of Gloucester Street

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media contact: Mitchelle Stephenson, 410-972-7724 or mwstephenson @annapolis.gov

Circuit Court Upholds Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission Approval of Maritime Welcome Center at City Dock

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 12, 2025) - Late Thursday, September 11, the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County affirmed the decision of the Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to approve the Maritime Welcome Center (MWC) at City Dock, paving the way for all of the planned work at City Dock to begin this fall.

The Court's ruling upholds HPC's April 15, 2025 approval of the project, confirming that the Commission acted squarely within its authority. In the opinion, the Court noted that HPC exercised "the utmost care" in its review of the application, the code, the design manual, expert testimony, and public comment before reaching its decision.

The Maritime Welcome Center is an integral component of the larger City Dock resiliency and revitalization plan. The MWC will become the headquarters for the Annapolis Harbormaster, the municipal entity responsible for maritime public safety in Annapolis waterways. It will also provide the essential connections and facilities to make historic Burtis House accessible to the public.

"The Maritime Welcome Center will give us the things we need, including the Harbormaster offices and headquarters for Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel. But, it will also provide modern boater amenities (showers, laundry, package drops, workspace, and public space) as part of the redesign of City Dock," said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. "Boater amenities are critical for a premiere sailing destination like Annapolis because, just as airports need terminals and highways need rest stops, world-class harbors need to meet the practical needs of visiting mariners."

The City Dock project is designed to protect one of Annapolis' most vulnerable areas from the impacts of sea level rise and nuisance flooding while enhancing the historic waterfront experience. Together with elevated green space, flood protection measures, and public amenities, it will safeguard downtown's economic vitality and preserve Annapolis' heritage for future generations.

"This is more than a legal victory for the people of Annapolis," said City Dock Project Manager Eileen Fogarty. "The Court confirmed what we already knew: the volunteers who serve on the Historic Preservation Commission followed the process thoughtfully and fairly. With this ruling, we can now press ahead with both the Maritime Welcome Center and the critical resiliency work to protect downtown Annapolis from the disastrous impacts of flooding."

Construction activities are expected to begin in earnest following the Fall Boat Show in late October.

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