Letters to the Editor | City dock project needs to move forward | READER COMMENTARY

I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspective on the City Dock project, particularly regarding the role of the Harbormaster building, the Burtis House, and the broader historical significance of City Dock.

In my second year on the City Council, I thoroughly reviewed the Cultural Landscape Survey and Hazard Mitigation Plan dated April 2018. This remarkable 200-page document provides an extensive analysis of the environmental challenges facing Annapolis and offers a comprehensive framework for addressing them. Importantly, it also highlights the historical and cultural significance of City Dock.

One key takeaway from the report is that City Dock does not have a single date of historical significance. Unlike specific structures like the Burtis House, Bryce House, or Charles Carroll House, which are tied to defined historical periods, City Dock's importance lies in its evolution. It has transitioned over centuries -- from a working harbor to a vital hub for tourism and culture. This adaptability is what makes City Dock historically unique.

This flexibility presents an opportunity. City Dock is a living representation of Annapolis' maritime history, spanning markets, commerce, and community gathering spaces. However, no single structure, including the Burtis House, can fully encapsulate that rich history. The Burtis House does not tell the full maritime story; at best, it serves as a symbolic reminder. Preserving it as a "statue" of our past misses the opportunity to reflect City Dock's true, dynamic legacy.

On the other hand, the Harbormaster building, while functional in its time, is no longer suited to its location or purpose. It blocks critical views of the water and is not conducive to adaptive reuse. Its removal aligns with the goals outlined in the 2018 plan, allowing us to focus on enhancing functionality, increasing public access, and fostering environmental resilience.

The architect's proposed design for City Dock represents a thoughtful balance. It honors the essence of City Dock by prioritizing public engagement and storytelling over preserving one structure at the expense of progress. This approach enables us to create a new "date of significance" -- a moment where Annapolis came together to preserve and enhance City Dock's role as a living, evolving space, honoring its layered history while ensuring its relevance for future generations.

I urge the Historic Preservation Commission and Historic Annapolis to move this project forward without unnecessary legal delays. Progress does not mean dismissing history; it means embracing and celebrating it while making thoughtful, forward-looking decisions. Let us create a City Dock that reflects Annapolis' rich maritime legacy and serves the needs of our community today and tomorrow.

-- Elly Tierney, Annapolis

The writer is a former Annapolis alderperson of Ward One.