Annapolis council approves revised Market House lease after heated public comments

The Annapolis City Council on its final regular meeting of the current term voted to adopt a revised lease for the Market House (Ordinance O33-25) after hours of public comment and discussion among council members.

Residents pressed the council to delay action and raised concerns about the proposed long-term lease, saying it could lock a public asset into private control for decades. Tom Creek, a public commenter, said the deal would “hand control until 2043,” questioned the financial returns to the city, and asked council members who had received donations from Market House interests to recuse themselves.

Council members defended the amended lease as a tradeoff to secure needed private investment in the downtown property. Alderman Savage said existing public properties are often leased long term to secure public benefits and noted the amendment includes stronger investment requirements. Alderman Huntley and others said reductions in the initial proposed term and clear investment commitments persuaded them to support the measure.

Mayor Buckley announced a recusal from the matter before the debate; he was out of the room during the final roll call. Councilmembers voted to adopt the ordinance as amended; the record shows the measure passed on the floor after committee amendments and a final roll call.

The lease debate touched three recurring concerns: preserving the Market House’s public-market character, securing capital investment that tenants say they need to finance renovations, and ensuring fair access for local and minority-owned vendors. Several aldermen said the amended lease reduced the original long-term runway, increased rent and included clearer investment obligations and city-side performance triggers.

Next steps: the adopted ordinance will be processed and the city attorney’s office will finalize the concession agreement consistent with the revised lease terms. Public commenters urged the incoming council to continue oversight; councilmembers said enforcement provisions and code requirements remain available if the operator fails to meet agreed terms.

Quote: “We have looked at the lease terms, we have gotten them revised and strengthened,” Alderman Savage said during debate, defending the council’s action.

Ending: The council adopted O33-25 as amended and moved on to other business; Mayor Buckley’s recusal was noted in the record and residents who asked for a delay were told the incoming council could revisit related policy choices.