Transforming Annapolis City Dock into a resilient and vibrant destination, this design will enrich City Dock’s connection to its users and maritime context through ecologically engineered design considerations. When envisioning a reimagined City Dock, the city of Annapolis, its citizens, and stakeholders placed the desires of the everyday user at the forefront. Annapolitans desired a site that held to the city’s history, one that boasted not just commercial vibrancy, but strengthened its community as well. As a community with close ties to the water, the citizens of Annapolis will reinforce that cultural link through this defining project. Due to its location and the effects of a changing climate, Annapolis City Dock is distinctly vulnerable to nuisance and hazard flooding. Thus, the redesign will prevent the water from continuing to negatively affect downtown Annapolis. Additionally, the site also hosts a variety of large-scale events throughout its calendar year, so the design balances the needs of the everyday user and the event entities that rely on the space.
The City of Annapolis
Situated along the Severn River, a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis City Dock provides residents and tourists alike a revitalized experience of the waterfront, reinforcing their connection to the water and its history. Boasting views into Annapolis Harbor, this culturally vibrant site offers users a multitude of unique experiences.
While the location of City Dock possesses distinct characteristics, it’s immediate surroundings are dominated by asphalt and placelessness. Most of the site functions as a parking lot with utilities and electric panels scattered throughout. The design proposes a path for City Dock to become a beacon for the Annapolitan identity.
Due to its proximity to the water’s edge and aging infrastructure, City Dock is at acute risk of costly flood events. Without intervention by 2030, nuisance flooding is expected to increase from 40 to 200 times each year. The design integrates flood prevention techniques for current and future flood events.
A multi-year community outreach series delved into the minutiae of community needs for the space, reaching out to various stakeholder groups for input. Community feedback emphasized a desire for a stronger connection to the waterfront, as well as spaces hosting family-oriented activities.
City Dock integrates flood protection directly into the design of structured and unstructured spaces. Users engage with each other through programmed seating in the Active Park, relax in the Dock Street Park, and connect with water at the interactive fountain, culminating at the stage and Susan Campbell Park.
A system of stationary walls, flip-up barriers, and deployable barriers, combined with an elevated stage design, aids in the protection of Annapolis City Dock and its surrounding streets and buildings by raising the finished grade of its perimeter per NOAA’s projected planning horizons.
Annapolis City Dock boasts activities for all ages, providing space for multi-generational users to enjoy the preserved dock at the water’s edge, the pedestrian-friendly nature of the new Dock Street, and the interactive waters within the accessible fountain in full view of the park stage.
By preserving and enhancing the viewsheds of the water across the site, the new City Dock re-establishes people’s connection to their maritime histories. Trees with open branching structures provide dappled shade and wildlife habitat, and on-site structures allow for near-transparent use without obstructing views of the water.
Building upon Alex Haley’s vision for reconciliation and healing, the statues and story wall remain with expanded components of a legacy timeline walk of people’s arrivals and important events. An interactive fountain highlights the city of Annapolis and people’s connection with water.
Daily programming emphasizes community and semi-structured activity. Spaces for family outings to play in the interactive fountain or picnic on the lawn dot the park, live music and food trucks along the pedestrian street reinforce an already-strong sense of community, while spaces for dancing or kayak launches encourage physical activity.
The flexible design of City Dock lends itself to a host of larger events and festivals like the annual Boat Show, Air Show, and Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival while reoccurring events like family movie nights and outdoor concert series attract visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Stormwater management above and below ground creates an environment equipped to tackle the effects of climate change. Improving tree health aids in reducing urban heat-island, cooling their surroundings, and establishing environments for urban wildlife. The native plant palette includes trees within the flood zone accustomed to periodic inundation.
A diverse portfolio of funding sources and detailed design drawings are in-place for project construction to begin soon. The next chapter of City Dock will bring people of all walks of life to the beating heart of Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay – the waters’ edge.
