Representatives of two historic yacht clubs urge delegation to press TradePoint Atlantic to reconsider dredging option

Representatives of Northpointe Yacht Club and Pleasant Yacht Club asked the Baltimore County House Delegation to urge TradePoint Atlantic to reconsider a dredging option that club advocates say would convert part or all of their properties to water and transfer remaining land to the county regional park.

Lafon Porter, who said he represents both clubs, described their history: Northpointe was founded in the 1950s by Bethlehem Steel employees; Pleasant Yacht Club was formed later and developed by Black Bethlehem Steel employees using surplus materials when segregation prevented them from using the other club. Porter said Pleasant has been a community resource for Turner Station and Edgemere residents and that one of the founding members, still living, is 97 years old. He showed delegation members a rendering supplied by TradePoint Atlantic that, he said, would leave Northpointe entirely underwater and convert part of Pleasant Yacht Club to water while turning remaining land over to a regional park.

Why it matters: Club representatives argued the properties have historic and community value, especially Pleasant Yacht Club’s role as a historically Black boating organization. They said TradePoint chose a dredging option that, in their view, unnecessarily eliminates those facilities and that agencies including the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Army Corps of Engineers have questioned the justification for taking the land. TradePoint representatives and state agencies met with club advocates in Annapolis but, according to Porter, TradePoint said there were no guarantees of changes.

Delegation response and next steps: Delegation members asked Porter to share his slides and evidence with delegation staff; members agreed to circulate the materials to all delegation members. Several delegates suggested constituent outreach and possible letters; members also discussed meeting the following Saturday for a site tour led by Senator Carl Jackson and others. Porter said TradePoint indicated they would consider other options after the Annapolis meeting, but no concrete alternative had been provided in writing.

Ending: Delegation members asked staff to distribute Porter's materials and encouraged dialogue with TradePoint Atlantic and relevant state agencies; some members indicated they would consider drafting a delegation letter or signing onto a letter if members choose to do so.