Annapolis council approves revised Market House lease and waives back interest for Market Plaza vendors; ranked-choice vote tabled

Mayor Gavin Buckley recused himself and left the dais before the council debated a proposed long-term lease for the Market House, and the council adopted the ordinance as amended that the finance committee and council members said secures investment and continuity for the downtown site.

The council also approved a resolution to waive accrued interest charges for businesses at Market Plaza, after committee members and staff described the amounts at issue as modest and after public concerns about preserving the character and uses of downtown public space. Separately, the council moved to table an ordinance to adopt ranked-choice voting and approved an equitable public water-access plan and a city rule allowing deferred payment of certain capital facility fees for small residential projects.

Why it matters: The Market House and Market Plaza occupy a central block of downtown Annapolis and are treated in city code as public amenities. The lease debate engaged questions about long-term public use, private investment, and how the city balances local small-business tenancy with preserving space for markets and public activity.

What the council did and who spoke

- Market House lease (Ordinance O-33-25). After extended committee review and public comment opposing a long lock-up of the property, the council approved O-33-25 as amended. The amended lease shortens the long-term certainty the city would otherwise have given and requires the operator to invest in property improvements (the ordinance includes a requirement of a $100,000 minimum investment by the operator and a negotiated initial term that provides a multi-year runway for financing). Mayor Buckley announced his recusal before the vote, saying, “So I'm just saying I'm out of here. I wanna thank you and I'm gonna recuse myself.” The council adopted the ordinance after a roll call vote; the mayor did not participate in the vote.

- Market Plaza interest-waiver resolution (R-34-25). The council voted to approve a resolution waiving accrued interest charges assessed to several Market Plaza tenants. Council discussion and committee reports indicated the unpaid interest amounts per tenant ranged from about $1,600 to $16,000, and staff said the city had not been regularly billing some of those charges. The waiver was amended to remove a clause that could have signaled an end to the plaza use; the amended resolution passed.

- Ranked-choice voting (O-35-25). The council moved to table an ordinance proposing ranked-choice voting in city elections, citing the need for additional input from the rules committee and the election board. The ordinance was not voted on and will not automatically return to the agenda without further action.

- Equitable public water access plan (R-40-25). The council adopted the "Equitable Public Water Access Plan," including an amendment strengthening language on accessibility for people with disabilities and clarifying roles for community partners and environmental testing. Council members said the plan aims to broaden safe public access to the city's waterways while coordinating water-quality monitoring and remediation efforts.

- City capital facilities charges payment plan (O-37-25). The council approved an ordinance that allows developers building six or fewer eligible dwelling units to defer payment of certain capital facility charges until issuance of a use-and-occupancy permit. Luke Pinton, representing the nonprofit developer Fellow, spoke in support during public comment, saying the change helps mission-driven and nonprofit developers time financing to complete small projects.

Public comment and dissent

Several residents urged the council to delay or reject the Market House lease, calling the proposed term too long and expressing concern that the city would "lock up" ownership or public control for decades. Tom Creek said the lease would "lock up Market House until 2043," and urged recusal by council members accepting contributions from parties with an interest in the deal. Larry Clawson and other residents made similar arguments in public comment, pressing the council to allow the incoming council to address large, long-term commitments.

Council members and staff countered that the amended lease both preserves public-market uses and creates clearer investment and performance requirements than previous agreements. Alderman Savage and members of the finance committee described the amendments as strengthening the city's leverage to require repairs and upgrades in exchange for a longer operating runway for the concessionaire.

What is next

- The Market House lease is effective as adopted and carried the council's approval on the night of the meeting; the mayor recused himself and did not vote. The Market Plaza interest-waiver resolution was adopted as amended.

- Ranked-choice voting (O-35-25) has been tabled for further study and committee review; it will not be automaticly reintroduced without sponsors.

- The public-water-access plan and the capital-fee payment-plan ordinance were approved; staff and committees will continue implementation work and coordination with state and nonprofit partners.

Votes at a glance (key items voted or acted on at the meeting)

- O-33-25, Market House lease — Adopted as amended (Mayor Buckley recused prior to the vote). - R-34-25, Market Plaza interest charge waiver — Adopted as amended (waived accrued interest for specified tenants; amendment removed language suggesting plaza use would end). - O-35-25, Ranked-choice voting for city elections — Tabled for further review; no final vote. - R-40-25, Equitable Public Water Access Plan — Adopted (includes accessibility and testing language). - O-37-25, City capital facilities charges payment plan — Adopted (allows certain small projects to defer payment until occupancy). - R-45-25, fines for failure to clear snow and ice (code cross-reference) — Adopted on second reader. - O-38-25, exception for provisional doors/gates opening over sidewalk — Adopted. - R-43-25, tourism industry reception fee waiver (annual meeting) — Adopted.

Proper names and programs mentioned in the meeting include the City of Annapolis, Market House, Market Plaza, Maritime Republic of Eastport, Fellow (nonprofit developer), Anne Arundel County, Spa Creek, and No Harm (community organization).

Ending: The council completed its agenda after several hours of business and a set of recognition citations. Several departing council members and the mayor used their closing remarks to thank staff and volunteers and to urge continued civic engagement.