City Dock

Annapolis officials launched yesterday a high-cost, high-profile project for the city's historic waterfront, asking the state to help pay for a $10 million renovation of City Dock."

On a sunny spring afternoon, children continue a tradition in the downtown playground next to Annapolis Elementary School: shooting hoops, kicking a ball around, riding the swings. Adults, meanwhile, pursue another generations-old practice: arguing the future of the little park, long considered the keystone to waterfront revitalization. "This is as big for Annapolis as Harborplace was for Baltimore," said Alderman Ross H. Arnett III, who days ago joined a 6-3 majority voting to let the city pursue plans to wipe most parking spaces off City Dock and move them to the playground site, enabling the city to make better use of what some say is the most valuable piece of real estate in town, if not in Maryland.

Hearing of Annapolis Mayor Alfred A. Hopkins' plan to renovate the City Dock causes an uneasy feeling of deja vu.The $10 million project to repair the dock's pavement, bury power lines and shore up the bulkheading is being presented with many of the same glowing promises that presaged the reconstruction of Main Street in the state capital a few years ago.Although the Main Street project had been talked about for years, when it came down to getting the...

More than 300 days had passed since Matt Rutherford pushed out on his 27-foot boat from Annapolis after a quiet send-off. More than 27,000 miles had been navigated to help Rutherford become the first sailor in history to go solo and nonstop around North and South America. As much time as Rutherford had to think about what kind of welcome he would receive, the 31-year-old, who overcame a childhood fear of the water, did not give it much thought. "I didn't know what to expect," Rutherford said, standing on the dock about an hour after coming ashore.

The $9 million overhaul of City Dock, Annapolis' most prominent piece of maritime heritage, is scheduled to be completed this week on schedule and within budget, city officials say. The first renovation of the dock in more than three decades included replacing about 1,000 feet of rotting bulkhead with steel, installing a new boardwalk, adding boat slips to accommodate larger vessels, building rain gardens to prevent runoff into Spa Creek, and planting new...

5/8 TC Downtown merchants, already fearful of the effects of Main Street reconstruction, are worried that a proposed renovation of City Dock could mean more traffic delays, fewer parking spaces and plenty of lost business."

The body of a middle-aged Camp Hill, Pa., man was found in the water near the man's power boat yesterday morning alongside the Annapolis City Dock, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Authorities said Robert C. Shenk of the 300 block of North 27th St. in Camp Hill was apparently the victim of drowning. Shenk, a businessman who stays on his 35-foot boat when in Annapolis, is believed to be in his late 40s. The body was spotted by a passer-by shortly before 11 a.m. along a boat tied up opposite Market House.

A frozen yogurt shop that became the center of a sticky debate over the future of downtown Annapolis won permission Monday night to open a second store near City Dock.With little discussion, the City Council approved a conditional use application by The Frozen Orchard for a small shop at 41 Randall St.The proposal was controversial because a number of downtown residents, worried that Annapolis could soon resemble a tacky seaside tourist town, objected to another take-out restaurant.Business leaders criticized the opponents for trying to put the brakes on development during a sluggish economy.

A young male deer running through residential streets in Annapolis near City Dock was tranquilized and released into the wild yesterday, Department of Natural Resources officials said. A yearling was spotted sitting quietly in the shade of a small tree on Fleet Street. After a crew of DNR officials arrived, a marksman fired a tranquilizer gun at the deer. The third shot hit the deer, which ran around the corner into the back yard of a residence on East Street. Bob Beyer, associate director of the DNR's game program, hit the deer with two more darts, which left the animal unconscious, officials said.

Santa Claus will arrive by fire boat at City Dock in Annapolis on Nov. 29 for his annual visit to five city locations.The Fire Department will deliver Santa to Susan C. Campbell Memorial Park at 1: 15 p.m. He will then board an Annapolis Fire Department engine for his first stop, Graul's Shopping Center, where he will greet youngsters and give them candy from 1: 55 p.m. to 2: 10 p.m.His other stops are: Newtowne apartment complex off Forest Drive from 2:...

Annapolis officials plan to introduce a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting that would require council approval for special events at City Dock, following complaints from downtown business owners. Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, Aldermen Richard E. Israel and Ross H. Arnett III, all Democrats, have sponsored the resolution. The issue came up last summer when a group of downtown business owners criticized the city for not better policing the festivals that take place in the city's historic district.

An Annapolis panel has recommended authorizing $300,000 in renovations to Market House, the shuttered, city-owned public market that has been the subject of a series of legal and political disputes. The city council's Finance Committee voted 2 to 1 to recommend the council approve the expenditure, according to its chairman Alderman Ross H. Arnett, III. The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to the full council, which will vote on the measure next week. The $300,000 renovation plan, which was endorsed by Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, will reconfigure the market's layout to allow waterfront views, relocate the electrical and plumbing, install shelf seating and add two bathroom stalls in the women's restroom.

Monday, Sept. 26 'Oktoberfest' Visitors can enjoy authentic German food and beverages at this festival being held through Monday, Sept. 26, at Fort Meade. There will be live music, children's activities and more. Admission is free. For directions and information, call 301-677-7785. Photo club The Digital Photography Club of Annapolis meets at 7 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St. Meeting features a member's showcase spotlight. Information: 410-267-0461 or digitalphotoclub.net.

The storm surge didn't come, so Rob and Paula Notrica went ahead with their wedding reception Sunday. It didn't matter that guests dressed in their finest had to skirt sandbags to get into the Fells Point restaurant. It didn't matter that relatives had begged them to postpone as dire warnings mounted. It didn't even matter that the frantic week before the nuptials had been accompanied by an earthquake. "We almost had a disaster, but it turned out perfect," said 33-year-old Paula Notrica, a psychiatric therapist who lives in Pikesville.

With flavors like Raspberry Truffle, Cotton Candy and Burgundy Cherry, Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory has never had a problem luring walk-in customers to its perch near City Dock in downtown Annapolis. The 35-year-old shop's location in one of Maryland's most heavily visited tourist areas has mostly been a blessing, says owner Svienn C. Storm — a line of eager patrons often snakes along the sidewalk outside the shop on a sunny afternoon. But lately, he said, the downtown spot has had a significant downside.

Some tourists came for gelato. One couple lunched on raw oysters. And a woman hovered near a display of half-pound jumbo lump crab cakes, pointing to a companion and saying, "Oh, my God. " As the historic Annapolis Market House reopened Monday amid a swarm of shoppers, Steve Britz, in a polo shirt and boat shoes, stood amid the gleaming new eateries, the produce stand and the historic map store, recalling the days when the market, founded in...

The General Assembly voted yesterday to give Annapolis $250,000 as seed money to plan renovations to the City Dock, about a third of what the city requested.The state's $390 million capital budget also included $2.4 million for a new jail in Anne Arundel County, the Glen Burnie Town Center and the Odenton Health Center.Annapolis officials want to complete a $10 million make-over of the city's waterfront before the boats competing in the Whitbread Round the World Race arrive in April 1998.

Annapolis emergency officials said Sunday that water was receding after Saturday storms led to flooding that was still causing minor detours around the City Dock area a day later. According to Kevin Simmons, director of Annapolis' office of emergency management, public works crews began cleaning up debris after flooding levels peaked at 4.6 feet above normal about an hour before high tide at 4:30 a.m. Sunday. On Sunday morning, water levels were about 2.6 feet above normal, he said.

Former Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke will chair a new advisory committee tasked with redeveloping Annapolis City Dock, city officials announced Wednesday. The City Dock Advisory Committee will put together a proposal for the city on redeveloping its signature public space — a major attraction for tourists and home to boating and sailing activities that attract visitors annually — with the goal of submitting a plan to the city council by fall 2011. The 25-member committee, which will examine issues related to economic development, transportation and the overall geographic layout, consists of people from a wide range of civic life, including residents, business owners and those involved in the maritime industry.