🍦City Dock clears another hurdle

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. If you can’t find something to do this weekend, that might be a you problem. Check out Coming up this week in What’s happenin’ to see for yourself.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• New Village Academy update

• Redistricting meeting

• Inaugural PorchFest

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

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THE DIGEST

City Dock Construction Clears Another Hurdle 🚤

Maryland Historic Trust just gave final design approval for the Maritime Welcome Center — another big step toward reshaping City Dock. The new building will house the harbormaster’s office, create public space for visitors, and keep the historic Burtis House safe from future floods by raising it 5 feet.

Next door, a new green space could become Vince Leggett Park. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Lawsuits have delayed construction for months — and one from Historic Annapolis is ongoing. Plus Annapolis is waiting on a grant from FEMA it’s counting on big time; it’ll cover 30% of the project’s considerable cost.

So, what are the big 3 pieces of the City Dock project?

1️⃣ City Dock Park + flood barriers. Raised bulkheads, a waterfront park, and flood protection from the Naval Academy to Compromise Street.
2️⃣ Maritime Welcome Center. As discussed above.
3️⃣ Compromise Street Upgrades. Extending flood protection past the Choptank.

Navy safety Rayuan Lane III gets drafted

History made: Navy safety Rayuan Lane III just got drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 6th round of the NFL draft – Navy’s first defensive back to be drafted. Lane, a Gilman grad, called it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to play pro football and serve as a Marine Corps officer. Congress recently cleared the way for service academy athletes to go pro — and 59% of Scoop readers believe Navy players should have the chance at the big leagues if they’ve got the skills. Rayuan’s next chapter? Jacksonville — and hopefully, Sunday nights on FOX. ($)

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Well, now we know when Forever 21’s closing at Annapolis Mall

Bad news for Gen Zers. Thanks to the Annapolis Patch, we now know Forever 21 is closing at Annapolis Mall tomorrow. The national clothing chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 so this news shouldn’t come as a surprise. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise because we first wrote about it back in February. Love fast-fashion? No need to worry. Retail survives bankruptcy all the time. And the company that bought it, Authentic Brands, specializes in reviving struggling companies – e.g. Reebok, Eddie Bauer, Barneys, Aeropostale, Sports Illustrated. . .

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

SPONSORED BY SCARBOROUGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Want to be wealthy in retirement? Get active now.

80 is the new 70. While this is great news, it could come with more expenses. If you decide to retire at 65, that means there’s a 25% chance you’ll need to have at least 25 years of money for retirement stashed away.

Some financial advisors estimate that you’ll need about 70% of your annual income each year in retirement, which means a couple earning a median income should aim for approximately $39,000 per year. Multiply that over 25 years and you’re looking at almost 1 million to maintaining your current lifestyle.

One of our biggest tips? Stay active. Staying healthy can not only extend your life, but save you money in the long run.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Coming up this week

If you can’t find something fun to do this week, then I hope you have a time-consuming hobby like crochet or something because there’s literally something for everyone this week. Including 4 first-time events (denoted by 🐣)

For flower lovers and 10,000 steps a dayers
70th Annual May Day Celebration. Beautiful flower baskets adorn Annapolis’ historic district. Thursday, May 1.

For voracious readers
Annapolis Book Festival. The 22nd annual celebration of the written word at Key School. Saturday, May 3.

For plant lovers
🐣 West Annapolis Spring Festival. A family-friendly festival for plant lovers, gardeners, and flower enthusiasts. Sunday, May 4.

For shop localers
First Sunday Arts Festival. Over 100 vendors line Inner West Street on the first Sunday of every month May–November. Sunday, May 4.

Shop Local Fun Festival. Severna Park’s family-friendly festival for welcoming spring. Saturday, May 3.

For cultural explorers
Annapolis Irish Festival. Two days of incredible bands, Guinness, and Irish fun. Adults-only Friday night. Family-friendly on Saturday. May 2–3.

Annapolis Spring Italian Festival. The Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America hosts with Italian music, food and desserts, and family-friendly fun. Sunday, May 4.

For music lovers
Songbird Festival. A music festival celebrating the female musicians. Sunday, May 4.

For flavor chasers
🐣 AMM Catfish Cook-off. Renowned local chefs turn the invasive blue catfish into a malicious yet delicious meal. Saturday, May 3.

🐣 Pizza and Pints. Pizza, beer, and ice cream. Need we say more? Sunday, May 4.

For wellness seekers
🐣 Festival on the Farm. Delicious healthy food and wellness activities at the beautiful Chesapeake Dressage Institute. Saturday, May 3.

For drivers who think outside the tank
Kick Gas. Experience electric vehicles of all types from practical commuters to sports cars to city buses. Sunday, May 4.

This just in: Annapolis’ inaugural PorchFest

Clear your calendars and sweep your porches. Annapolis is getting its very first PorchFest! On June 14 from 11 AM – 3 PM, front porches in the Germantown-Homewood neighborhood will turn into mini music stages. Stroll from porch to porch, enjoy local jams, and meet your neighbors – no ticket required, just good vibes.

PorchFest started in Ithaca, NY in 2007 and is spreading across the country. Now it’s our turn – organizers are looking for musicians, porch hosts, volunteers, and sponsors. Info and signups here. Plus, if all goes well, the organizers want to do this citywide!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

CIVIL NEWS

AACPS’ final community redistricting meeting

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) is redrawing school boundaries — and the final scheduled community meeting for Phase 2 is this Tuesday, April 29 at 6 PM at Annapolis Middle School.

• There will be a brief presentation + 30 public comment slots (2 minutes each).

• Speaker registration is closed but online feedback is accepted through May 15. Superintendent Bedell will present a plan to the board of education in July.

Redistricting decisions will shape school assignments starting next fall — so if you’ve got opinions, now’s the time. ✏️

New Village Academy won’t open this fall after all

Big change: New Village Academy, the public charter high school planned for Annapolis Mall, will not open this fall. After two years of work, the school’s board announced it couldn’t close a funding gap caused by cuts to federal programs, building material tariffs, and general economic chaos. Without money to finish construction, there was no way to move forward.

NVA’s team says they’re still exploring ways to bring their “high school done differently” vision to life someday. More info (and a heartfelt thank you) is here.

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EXTRA SPRINKLES

Warning: This Concert May Cause Spontaneous Dancing 💃 

Join the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Theatre of Maryland for Music for Dance — a magical, interactive concert on May 10 at Maryland Hall. Conducted by Maestro José-Luis Novo, this family-friendly event features iconic ballet and Broadway themes, live classical music, and fun moments that will spark a lifelong love of the arts. Tickets are just $10 per person. Learn more and get your tickets today!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

WEATHER

Monday

70 🌡️ 56 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 E 8 mph (7 knots)

Tuesday

78 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ | 1% | 💨 S 15 mph (13 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 58ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | L.A. Guns w/ Red Reign | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Suzy Lenox | 7 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Baseball (23-22)
4/25 @ Lehigh | L 9-8
4/27 @ Lehigh | L 4-3

Women's Lacrosse (13-5)
4/27 vs. Lehigh | W 19-2
4/27 @ Lehigh | W 2-1

Men's Lacrosse (8-6)
4/25 @ Bucknell | W 14-11

Women's Rugby (4-5)
7's Collegiate Rugby Championship

• 4/26 vs. West Chester | W 10-0

• 4/26 vs. Brown | L 24-7

• 4/27 vs. Queens | L 31-5

• 4/27 vs. New Haven | W 30-0

Upcoming games

Men's Lacrosse (8-6)
4/29 vs Lafayette | 7:30 PM

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THANKS!

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