A legal challenge has been filed against the City Dock Resiliency Project, an initiative the city claims is vital for combating the worsening flooding at Annapolis's historic City Dock. Though the city has emphasized the benefits to local businesses frequently impacted by floodwaters, thgere has been public opposition about the transparency of the project's costs, financing, and long-term maintenance.
The lawsuit, filed by an anonymous group against Whiting Turner (the presumptive contractor), seeks to pause the city-backed project just as flood events are expected to reach record levels this year, potentially surpassing the previous high set in 2019. As the area grapples with increasingly severe flooding -- including two recent states of emergency and two record-setting floods -- officials argue that the initiative is overdue. Mayor Gavin Buckley has stated that delays to the resiliency work could further harm downtown businesses and historic buildings, but some residents and stakeholders are not convinced that the city has addressed all relevant concerns.
Since the City Dock Action Committee (CDAC) was established over five years ago, the city has held numerous public meetings, claiming extensive community engagement. According to the city, the proposed plan was shaped through a series of public outreach sessions and community briefings, aimed at gathering feedback from local stakeholders, residents, and business owners.
Despite this, critics point out that the city has been less forthcoming about critical aspects of the project, including total projected costs, funding sources, and the specifics of ongoing maintenance obligations. Concerns have been voiced that, while the city may be looking to implement a range of flood-mitigation measures such as a raised park, flood gates, and a realigned storm drainage system, Annapolis residents have limited clarity on how these elements will be funded and maintained over time.
Mayor Buckley has expressed frustration over the recent lawsuit, characterizing it as an obstacle to urgent action that could prevent future damage to downtown Annapolis. He cited the severity of recent flooding, which is projected to surpass 120 events this year, as evidence of the immediate need for flood resilience at City Dock.
The Annapolis community remains divided on whether the City Dock Resiliency Project should proceed in its current form. While proponents see the plan as essential for safeguarding Annapolis's historic core from rising waters, critics view it as a potentially costly endeavour with unresolved questions.
The case was not listed in the electronic court records. Once the case is assigned a number, and the complaint is publicly available, the exact details of the complaint will be known.
For now, the fate of the City Dock Resiliency Project remains uncertain as the debate continues over how best to address Annapolis's growing flood risks in a way that serves both current and future generations.