Press Room

Council Split On Location Of Sailing Hall of Fame
Future of Burtis House May Affect Decision

By Raymond McCaffrey

Washington Post
Thursday, March 13, 2008

The former Annapolis home of Capt. William H. Burtis, a key figure in the city's maritime history, could figure prominently in a decision about whether a National Sailing Hall of Fame is built on state-owned land across from City Dock.

The City Council introduced two resolutions Monday, both expressing support for the Hall of Fame in Annapolis. One supports a proposed site at City Dock, where the Burtis home is, and the other "strongly" recommends that the organization consider other sites.

The resolutions come less than two weeks after the Maryland Historical Trust's recommendation that the facility not be built on the state-owned property unless steps are taken to protect "historic resources," including the 19th-century Burtis house.

The Department of Natural Resources owns the land and reached a preliminary agreement under which the Hall of Fame would lease the property on Prince George Street, near City Dock. The 0.17-acre site includes vacant land next to the Burtis House, according to a feasibility study. The trust is concerned about the anticipated size of the facility and the Hall of Fame's plan to raze or move the home.

The cost of the project is estimated at $9.2 million, a Hall of Fame official said, but the price tag could swell to $14.9 million with the acquisition of land adjacent to the DNR property.

The resolution introduced by Alderman Richard E. Israel (D) recommended that the organization consider other sites. He cited a recent analysis by the trust concerning the importance of the Burtis property to the city's maritime heritage. His resolution called on the state to prohibit demolition of the house if it leases the site to the Hall of Fame and to require the lessee to "abide by all of the laws of the City of Annapolis."

The alternative resolution was introduced by Mayor Ellen O. Moyer (D) and Aldermen Ross H. Arnett III (D), Sam Shropshire (D) and Sheila M. Finlayson (D). It supported locating the Hall of Fame at the City Dock site but said developers should "creatively" plan use of the Burtis site and adjoining property.

Moyer said that the Hall of Fame is "critical for the economic vitality of the city" and "a creative architect" will be needed to determine whether the Burtis house could be left standing and incorporated into plans for the new facility.

"Moving it is an option," she said. "The question is whether it would stand up to moving.''

But Moyer said the Hall of Fame should be built. "We call ourselves the sailing capital of the country," she said.

"We would be an absolute laughingstock nationally among the industry and among the leaders if for some reason or another this did not happen at this site," she said. ". . . We need to have economic vitality downtown."

An endorsement from the Maryland Stadium Authority in December cleared the way for the DNR to negotiate the property lease, which will not be finalized until after the General Assembly reviews a formal project proposal, a DNR spokeswoman said.

Lee Tawney, executive director of the Hall of Fame, said that the nonprofit organization plans to address the trust's recommendation.

Tawney said that any construction involving the historic house will necessitate its being raised because it is in a flood plain.

"It cannot physically stay where it is right now," he said.

A public hearing is not required on either resolution, but Israel said he has requested one on his measure. It is tentatively set for March 24.

Published March 13, 2008,, The Washington Post