Adaptive Boating Center
Future Home of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating
NEW ADAPTIVE BOATING CENTER in 2022!!
On September 2, 2020, the State of Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved the $1.8 million Program Open Space (POS) grant for the City of Annapolis to acquire property at 7040 Bembe Beach Road for $2,250,000. Anne Arundel County contributed $1.3M and the City of Annapolis committed $500,000 of their POS funding, which is in addition to the $1M committed by the State of Maryland in the 2019 Capital Improvement budget. The City of Annapolis closed on the property October 30th and CRAB signed a 40-year lease with the City of Annapolis on November 19, 2020.
Demolition and construction on the property will include replacing the fixed dock marina with a 16-slip floating dock that will exceed ADA standards. The existing house and 4,000 sq. ft. commercial building will be demolished and removed with new construction including a 2,600 sq. ft. learning center with office space that will be built outside the 100’ critical area, significantly reducing the structural impervious surface in the critical area. The ABC will also be a model of environmental stewardship utilizing solar energy, recycled building materials, and rain garden landscaping. An open-air pavilion and picnic area will provide a comfortable venue for greater socialization among guests, families, and caregivers, while looking out at Back Creek.
Plans for the ABC include a training classroom and will offer instruction using virtual technology to assist people with disabilities who want to increase their sailing skills or earn a Maryland Boating Certificate, to learn about marine trades, and offer job training and internship programs. Additional adaptive water sports and programs will be offered at the ABC to expand outreach to more guests including paddle boarding, kayaking, and remote-controlled sailboat racing.
CRAB’s fleet of boats will also expand to include an adaptive pontoon boat that will allow people in wheelchairs to experience being on the Bay - fishing, crabbing, or earning a boating certificate. Another vessel to be added to the fleet will be a larger sailboat so that CRAB sailors can participate in Wednesday Night Sailboat Racing.
Take a look at the ABC Brochure!
For more information or to get involved, please contact Debbie Daugherty, Director of Development, at debbie@crabsailing.org.
Milestones:
January 2017 - CRAB Board of Directors decided to look for a location that would allow growth without limitations
June 2017 - Signed letter of intent with owners of Port Williams Marina for its sale
June 2019 - State of Maryland appropriates $1 Million in the capital improvement budget for the Adaptive Boating Center
September 3rd, 2020 - Board of Public Works approves $1 million for Adaptive Boating Center
November 19th, 2020 - Lease for property signed with the City of Annapolis
March 19, 2021 - MD Dept of Environment approves marina permit application
March 23, 2021 - Annapolis Board of Port Wardens approves marina permit application
April 12, 2021 - State Legislature approves $75,000 Bond Bill and $250,000 Waterway Improvement Grant for ABC
Next Steps:
- Begin Marina demolition and new marina construction (May-July)
- Upon receiving grading permit, begin building demolition & removal, grading of property
(July-August) - Land improvements and building construction (September-December)
- Final inspections and office move (January-February)
- Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening - April 2022
