Anonymous Lawsuit Threatens Annapolis Flood Prevention Project
- A lawsuit has been filed against the flood prevention project at City Dock in Annapolis.
- The City Dock Action Committee presented an extensive plan to address rising flooding issues in November 2023.
- City officials worry that the lawsuit will cause costly delays and worsen flooding problems in the area.
In November 2023, the City Dock Action Committee unveiled a plan to tackle flooding issues at City Dock in Annapolis. The plan aims to create a natural park barrier and includes an 8-foot barrier, rain gardens, and shade trees to protect the area from rising sea levels. Approval from the Annapolis Planning Commission came in March 2024 after extensive community engagement. However, the project now faces delays due to a lawsuit filed anonymously in Anne Arundel Circuit Court, although the motivations behind the lawsuit remain unclear. City officials express concern that the legal action could lead to further delays, deterioration of historic buildings, and increased flooding as city officials reported a rise in flooding events in 2024, leading to State of Emergency declarations. The city anticipates 120 flooding occurrences this year, highlighting the urgency of the proposed project.