Crisfield City Dock
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Advance Crisfield Main Street Revitalization, City Dock Funding Requests
Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for federally-funded improvements to the Crisfield City Dock were recently advanced by Senators Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris in their respective committees. $2,003,532 for the project was included in the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD)Appropriations Committee Subcommittee Bill.
The Crisfield City Dock hosts community events, provides free water access for crabbing, fishing, and boating, and is a port for boats to Smith and Tangier Islands. If enacted into law, these funds will address structural issues and raise the height of the dock to make it safer and mitigate impacts of sea-level rise. The funding requests are to address the needs found in a structural assessment conducted by the engineering firm Davis, Bowen, and Friedel. The assessment of the Crisfield City Dock found that there is severe deterioration and significant storm damage to the support structure, and that it has exceeded its useful life and is not suited to resist wave forces from coastal storms. The structural assessment recommends a more resilient design to resist the forces of wave action, including elevating the dock. The existing substructure will not support the live loading required by code. Due to this, events that are currently held at that dock are restricted to no more than 100 attendees.
Funding for this legislation is not finalized until the Appropriations bills are passed by both chambers, differences between the two bills are reconciled by the chambers, a final product is approved by both the House and the Senate, and the legislation is signed into law by the President.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Grants
A $90,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the Crisfield Depot Piers and Walkways will serve to repair the damaged southeast pier of the City Dock. The City has also been approved for an additional $160,000 to supplement the original funding to ensure the major structural repairs needed to this part of the dock can be completed. The engineering firm of Davis, Bowen and Friedel has completed 95% design revisions to ensure that the new pier matches the design area of the entire pier as well as the increase in pier elevation needed for resiliency and to align with the proposed City Dock Congressionally Directed Spending (earmark) project. The design has been submitted for permitting review.
The City Dock improvements required total $2.7 million. $2,253,532 has been applied for or secured, including $2,003,532 in the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Committee Subcommittee Bill by Congressman Harris and $250,000 funded for improvements to the southeast dock through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterway Improvement grant. The City will be applying for an additional $250,000 through this funding source for improvements to the northwest pier and will identify a funding source to improve the central pier which extends from the west of the dock.
Bond Bill Sponsored by Senator Carozza
The City of Crisfield is grateful to Senator Mary Beth Carozza for sponsoring a $100,000 bond bill towards planning for future improvements for the Crisfield City Dock. These funds will be used towards planning that will create an even more inviting space for residents and the community, as well as preparing the dock to host large events.