Annapolis City Dock Named An Endangered Historic Place

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As city officials and residents debate a rezoning proposal for Annapolis City Dock, the site has been named one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in the U.S. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and ignited protests. Mayor Gavin Buckley has proposed rezoning part of the waterfront historic district to allow a hotel, and detractors say lifting height restrictions would harm the area's character.

The annual list looks at examples of architectural and cultural heritage that could be vulnerable to destruction or irreparable damage. These threats range from public policy effects to insufficient funding and inappropriate development. Almost 300 places have been on the list over 31 years, but fewer than 5 percent of the sites have been lost.

Here's what the National Trust says of Annapolis: "Among the most historic urban spaces in America, a current proposal to re-zone portions of the Colonial Annapolis Historic District—undermining local laws and policies that have protected the historic district for over 45 years—threatens to damage the area’s quality of life and heritage tourism economy, as well as permanently diminish its charm and unparalleled views."

Since its listing as a National Historic Landmark District in 1965, Annapolis has remained one of the most intact and authentic colonial towns in the entire nation — proposed rezoning puts it all at risk, says Preservation Maryland.

The group is opposed to lifting height and bulk restrictions which it says have preserved the authentic, human-scale setting that defines Annapolis. "Construction at this scale on the water’s edge threatens to eliminate the critical connection between the water and the city, creates untold environmental challenges and could invite further degradation of the historic district," the organization says on its website.

Preservation Maryland has launched an online petition urging leaders to reject the rezoning proposal, which includes construction of a hotel.

"The designation has been a powerful tool for raising awareness and rallying resources to save endangered sites from every region of the country," says the National Trust for Historic Preservation in statement. "At times, that attention has garnered public support to quickly rescue a treasured landmark; while in other instances, it has been the impetus of a long battle to save an important piece of our history."

Historic Annapolis, Preservation Maryland and the National Trust held a press conference Tuesday to announce Annapolis' inclusion on the endangered list. While Mayor Buckley was not invited, he did attend and said he is willing to modify his proposal to allow a hotel and establish mixed-uses similar to those on West Street.

“We all want the same thing. We want a better downtown,” Buckley said, reports the Capital-Gazette. “I am here to find a way. We can re-imagine City Dock together.”

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The National Trust list also identifies Accokeek, Maryland, which is near the proposed Dominion Energy gas compressor site on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, across from Mount Vernon. The privately run estate preserving George Washington's home on the Potomac River officially launched its campaign opposing Dominion Energy's station Tuesday. Leaders are asking Dominion Energy to move the station in order to preserve the first president's beloved view and discourage future industrial development across from the estate.

"There's no size of compressor that we would be happy with being put in this rural area," said Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn at a press conference Tuesday.

He added that the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places is a "scary list to be on" given the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association's efforts to preserve the estate for 160 years.

Dominion Energy stands behind its assertion that the station will not impact Mount Vernon's view because the planned 50-foot stacks will not be visible over the trees. Should regulations require a change in height, Dominion Energy will modify plans to keep the height at 50 feet.

As Dominion Energy works to secure final permits for the project, Meanwhile Mount Vernon is asking for petition signers and donations.

See the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 11 Most Endangered list here.

Image Credit: Cristi Popescu/Shutterstock