Business owners sound off on Hillman Garage project

With construction slated for 2022, some worried about timing, local impact

It is one of the biggest construction projects in downtown Annapolis in years, and one expected to affect both parking and traffic for at least 14 months. So, when Annapolis business owners and residents met with city representatives at Hillman Garage, they peppered them with questions about the demolition of the aging structure and how it would impact their homes and businesses.

Eileen Fogarty, who led the City Dock Action Committee and is the public face of the redevelopment effort, fielded questions from more than a dozen business owners and half a dozen residents who live in the area.

The meetings Friday were held to collect information from residents affected by the garage project expected to get underway in January. Among the main concerns voiced by attendees were the timing of the project, hours of construction, impacts on the loading zones on Gorman and Conduit streets and what parking solutions the city has developed while the garage is offline.

Baltimore-based Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. will demolish and rebuild the garage. The company is part of AMRP, the consortium tapped by the city to construct the garage and redevelop City Dock.

The project is currently in the design phase and is expected to cost $56 million to $62 million. A representative from Whiting-Turner was also present to hear from residents but declined to comment, citing company policy about talking to the media.

Donna Sokolowski, the store manager at Hats in the Belfry, said she was most concerned about the timing of the project starting so soon after the

COVID-19 pandemic. For more than a year, businesses in the city have been hurt financially by public health restrictions. A 14-month construction project could further hurt businesses right as they get back on their feet, Sokolowski said.

AJanuarystartcouldalsobeanissuebecause it aligns with the start of the 2022 Maryland General Assembly session, said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Association, whose organization is housed less than a block away on Conduit Street.

Thousands of visitors flood downtown during the 90-day legislative session, often parking in the garage, Locklair said. She suggested posting digital signage on roads outside the city to help direct drivers.

Next month the city is expected to bring on a marketing firm to begin messaging to residents about the impending project, Fogarty said, including when people can expect the garage to go offline, what will happen to monthly parking pass holders and how visitors to the city will be able to easily get downtown without parking in the garage, among numerous other issues.

A public meeting about the parking aspects of the project is expected to take place in the next few weeks, Fogarty said.

In the meantime, AMRP has established a website that will be updated regularly on the project. More information can be found at: annapoliscitydockproject.com.

The new garage will be an asset to the community, but losing hundreds of parking spots for over a year will impact all aspects of downtown life, said Mark Mhley, president of the Ward 1 Residents Association.

“It’s going to be a significant impact on life down here,” Mhley said. “And we just don’t want the city or AMRP to assume that everybody is just OK with losing these spots. We’re already pressed for parking, and if we lose all thesespots,thenwherearepeoplegoingtogo?”

Karen Wass, who lives in a historic house on Conduit Street, asked if demolition and construction would be done to limit tremors that could impact old brick and plaster that is common in old houses.

Representatives said measures would be taken to minimize those impacts. Wass said she was also worried that the design of the garage did not fit into the Historic District.

“It doesn’t complement the city and its history,” Wass said.

Others asked how delivery trucks that regularly pass through Gorman Street to drop off products to Main Street businesses would be redirected.

“I’m glad residents are here. You’ve got to speak your piece and to have your voice heard.” — Karen Wass

Several Conduit Street residents worried that a less accessible Gorman could push trucks out onto their street and impact parking and traffic.

Alderwoman Elly Tierney, D-Ward 1, attended the meeting in part because there is anxiety among residents about the project but credited Whiting-Turner for continuing to seek feedback as the project progresses. Wass agreed.

“I’m glad residents are here,” she said. “You’ve got to speak your piece and to have your voice heard.”

Above, a preliminary concept rendering for the Hillman GarageCity Dock (at left) redevelopment project. Annapolis Mobility and Resilience Partners, or AMRP, a consortium of 10 companies, will oversee the redevelopment.

JEFFREY F. BILL/CAPITAL GAZETTE PHOTOS Drew Lewis, senior project manager at Whiting-Turner, meets with business owners at Hillman Garage. The developers of the garage redevelopment held an on-site meeting Friday for business owners at the entrance to the garage on Gorman Street.

JEFFREY F. BILL/CAPITAL GAZETTE PHOTOS Steve Samaras, of Zachary’s Jewelers, asks a question of Whiting-Turner senior project manager Drew Lewis. The developers of the Hillman Garage project held an on-site meeting for business owners Friday. Also in attendance are Constance Polamalu, from left; John Bruno, of 110 Compromise St.; and Donna Sokolowski, senior store manager of Hats In The Belfry.

Drew Lewis, Whiting-Turner senior project manager, meets with business owners at Hillman Garage on Friday. With him are, from left, Drew Lewis; Gordon Davids, Masonic Lodge; Ann Berger, owner of Georgian House Bed & Breakfast; and Ward 1 Alderwoman Elly Tierney.