News Flash

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Dylan Behler, 410-510-9335  sarah.elfreth@senate.state.md.us; Shaneka Henson - shaneka.henson@house.state.md.us; Dana Jones - dana.jones@house.state.md.us; Mitchelle Stephenson, 410-972-7724, mwstephenson@annapolis.gov; 

Sen. Elfreth, Del. Henson, and Del. Jones with Mayor Gavin Buckley Announce $19 Million+ in State Funds for Annapolis Projects

Annapolis, Maryland (June 30, 2022) - Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth, Delegate Shaneka Henson, Delegate Dana Jones, and Mayor Gavin Buckley today announced more than $19 million dollars secured in the Maryland state budget for projects in the City of Annapolis that will become available in the new Fiscal Year on July 1, 2022. The funding covers allocations for both public and private projects and acquisitions. 

“A budget is a statement of values – and this represents those values held by Annapolitans,'' Sen. Elfreth (District 30) said. “From providing record Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) funding directly to our first responders in order to keep our community safe - to furthering our investment in revitalizing City Dock to create a greener, more resilient Annapolis, I am proud of the work that our Delegation put into this budget to support our City.”

“Whether it's meeting the demand for affordable housing, preserving a historic community center or keeping residents safe, the budget is one of our greatest tools for accomplishing our shared goals,” said Del. Henson. “We are proud to work effectively with our partners in the City of Annapolis to ensure that City residents are positively impacted by the work we are doing in the General Assembly.”

“This budget allows the City of Annapolis to better preserve and teach our unique Maritime history, provide more places for families to play and exercise, and implement resilient infrastructure to defend against the impacts of climate change,” said Del. Jones. “We are blessed to represent a city with so many amazing organizations helping to uplift our shared constituency and I am proud to support them through the many Legislative Bond Initiatives that our Delegation sponsored this Session.”

“As Maryland’s capital City, we are proud to have a close partnership with our elected officials who fought for our City and our residents,” said Mayor Buckley. “I am grateful to the District 30 team for helping us to get some of our critical projects across the finish line and get started on others that will all make a vital difference to our City and community.” 

During the 444th legislative session, the General Assembly passed a bipartisan $61 billion dollar State operating budget and $4 billion dollar capital budget. The budget takes effect when the new fiscal year begins July 1, 2022.

Please see below for more detailed information on specific Annapolis projects included in the Budget

Annapolis City Dock - $10 Million ($8.8 Million in the Governor’s Supplemental and $1.2 Million in the budget as drafted)

This record funding will further revitalization of City Dock which will add much needed green space downtown as well as ensure that City Dock has the necessary resilience to be prepared for ever-increasing flood and storm events.

Carrs Beach Acquisition - $3.7 Million ($2.5 Million in Stateside Program Open Space Funding and $1.2 Million in the budget)

This funding will be used in partnership with the City and County to reclaim this historic, cultural asset to preserve it for decades and increase outdoor recreation opportunities in the City of Annapolis.

Historic Annapolis - $3,970,000 

This funding will be used to support Historic Annapolis and its various properties throughout Annapolis including Brice House.

Newtowne Community Resource Center - $1,500,000

We have always endeavored as your State partners to get the resources needed to create a quality housing product like the newly reconstructed Newtowne community, renamed Wilbourn Estates, which provides critical affordable housing to its residents. This funding will be used to improve access to community services for its residents.

Annapolis Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) - $794,875

This annual funding is provided to the City based on the properties the State uses in Annapolis, most notably to support first responders and emergency services.

Truxtun Park Improvements - $750,000

This money will be used to make much-needed improvements to facilities in and around Truxtun Park in Annapolis. This includes repairs to the basketball courts, storage facilities, office buildings and updates to the Truxtun Skateboard Park.

Stanton Community Center Improvements - $600,000 

This funding builds on $600,000 in last year's budget to improve the Stanton Community Center and further improve this important community asset.

Undergrounding Utilities - $500,000 

Funds to help the City of Annapolis update and move essential utilities underground to help prevent blackouts and loss of service. This infrastructure will help the City and residents be more resilient to the effects of climate change and the more frequent extreme weather events connected to it.

Wellness House of Annapolis - $200,000

The Wellness House of Annapolis provides non-medical support, education, and services to help individuals and families who have been touched by cancer recover their health and well-being, completely free of charge. This funding will be used to support the expansion of the Wellness House through the construction of a new building on their property.

Annapolis Maritime Museum - $190,216 ($150,000 in Capital Funds and $40,216 in Operating Funds)

The Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park (AMM) educates youth and adults about the area's rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, exhibits, and community events. They sustained serious damage from the October floods and were unable to take advantage of VOLT funding due to their non-profit status. Funding will be used to improve the site, and equip the McNasby Oyster Company building to withstand imminent sea-level rise and tidal flooding.

Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse - $150,000

Thomas Point Lighthouse is one of the most widely-recognized lighthouses in Maryland and is the only screw-pile light on the Chesapeake Bay still in its original location. The original station dates to 1825 and remains a cultural and historic treasure on the Chesapeake Bay. This funding will be used to further preserve the lighthouse.

Hammond Harwood House - $150,000 

Hammond-Harwood House Association is a 501-c-3 organization whose mission is to preserve, for public enjoyment and education, the 1774 historic Hammond-Harwood House and its museum collection. Funding will be used to replaster the original kitchen, address drainage issues, renovate public restrooms, repoint sections of the facade, and replace HVAC units.

Rise and Shine Bakery - $100,000

Rise and Shine, Inc. is a 501C-3 whose mission is to provide workforce training and jobs for people with barriers to employment. This social enterprise trains veterans, people experiencing homelessness, those in addiction recovery, people currently and formerly incarcerated and those with developmental disabilities. The bakery program teaches skills to work in the baking and pastry industry in a supportive environment with wrap-around services from on-site case management.

Annapolis SPCA - $100,000 

For over 100 years, the SPCA of Anne Arundel County has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of animals within our community and beyond. This funding will go towards making much-needed improvements to their shelter and veterinary clinic which are outdated and in need of renovation. 

Ancient City Lodge - $175,000

The Ancient City Lodge is a chartered non-profit organization in the city of Annapolis and has been a part of our community for 112 years. They provide a wide array of services to our community - from youth programs to feeding the hungry. This funding will be used to make much-needed upgrades to their 103-year-old building.

Annapolis Middle School - $100,000

These funds will be used to make site improvements on the grounds of the Annapolis Middle School, giving students and the surrounding community access to a multi-use outdoor recreation and athletic facility. 

Universal Lodge 14 - $100,000

Universal Lodge No. 14 F. & A. M. of Maryland Prince Hall Affiliated is a service oriented fraternity located in the historic "Old Fourth Ward" in the City of Annapolis. The Lodge was established on November 15, 1865 and has played a vital role in serving the community since its establishment. This funding will be used for lead abatement, asbestos removal, and an update to the HVAC system.

Woodside Gardens - $100,000

In partnership with Fairstead, a purpose-driven vertically integrated real estate developer specializing in creating sustainable housing, this funding will be used to support the design, permitting and installation of a one-tenth mile track on the Woodside property. 

Langton Green – $100,000

Langton Green (LGI) was founded in 1984 to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live with the highest possible degree of independence and quality of life by providing homes, supports, and other services. Funding will be used to renovate LGIs apartment complex including: construction to renovate the front entry areas to residences to improve safety, accessibility, and mobility with wider paths and walkways, and level concrete pads at doors.