Climate Resilience and Flooding Mitigation Projects
The City of Crisfield is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance (DTA). BRIC DTA gives full support to communities that may not have the resources to begin climate resilience planning and project solution design on their own. The City anticipates submitting a BRIC grant for infrastructure that will mitigate flooding and is working with DTA to identify the best use of these potential funds. The DTA team members and City of Crisfield staff and elected officials have been meeting for almost a year to develop the content for this grant application. This project is anticipated to have two phases for two different sections of town, with an application for the first phase to be submitted in January 2024. The DTA team is considering combining several possible flooding mitigation strategies including tide gates, bioretention ponds, stormwater pumps, improvements to the stormwater drainage system, elevated roads, and berms. These new strategies will transform Crisfield landscape and greatly reduce flooding.
In the coming months the City of Crisfield will be coordinating with property owners for this beneficial transformation. There will also be opportunities for community members and property owners to have detailed conversations with staff and elected officials of the City of Crisfield and with FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) staff. The City of Crisfield will send out a detailed press release and e-newsletter about this project this fall as all aspects of the project are finalized for the grant application.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is partnering with George Mason University (GMU), the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC), and the EPA Office of Research and Development (EPA ORD) to bring flood adaptation support to Crisfield. Funding for this project comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Adaptation Science Program and Lockheed Martin. The project is conducting an assessment of flood adaptation strategies to evaluate their costs and benefits for flood protection and community development goals. TNC is working with a fifteen member Citizens Advisory Committee to refine the team’s assessment process and recommendations. The goal is to provide City decision-makers with decision support tools and data to enhance ongoing and future flood mitigation and planning efforts. The City of Crisfield meets monthly with partner members. The project will also recommend financing and policy options to support short- and long-term adaptation pathways.
The team from TNC, GMU, EFC and EPA ORD have been working closely with the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) team to support the development of the BRIC application for flooding resilience.
Nature-Based Solutions with EPA
As part of its efforts to deal with current environmental challenges such as nuisance flooding, storms, and erosion, Crisfield is partnering with EPA and others to explore nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure and marsh restoration.
Participation and input from community members is critical to the success of any efforts. Alongside its research efforts, EPA will be offering a six-month Resilience Academy, open to those 15 and older. The Academy is an interactive program for a small group of community members to explore environmental issues relevant to the people of Crisfield. Participants will learn about and discuss environmental topics of interest and concern, with opportunities to work with researchers in the field, while building successful leadership strategies, community partnerships, and other tools to better prepare the environmental leaders of tomorrow. This program is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2023. If you are interested in receiving more information about the Resilience Academy in Crisfield or receiving updates on nature-based projects in Crisfield, please email Hartley.Jenna@epa.gov.
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC)
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) is a faith-based nonprofit working with congregations to be faithful stewards of Creation. IPC works with congregations to address their individual stormwater and planting needs, through a number of mitigation measures such as rain gardens, tree plantings, bioswales and more. If you or your congregation are interested in forming a Green Team or Ministry, or addressing stormwater needs on your congregations sacred grounds, please reach out to Mollie Rudow at Mollie@InterfaithChesapeake.org or (443) 926-4559.
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake invites the community to upcoming virtual training workshops. They are free, fun, and will help y/our faith community take meaningful environmental action! Learn and network with other congregational Green Teams, and gain leadership & communication skills, develop an action plan, learn how to apply for grants to support projects – and more.
The next 3-part virtual Faithful Green Leader Training, Faithful Green Leaders Training-Build, Inspire and Transform Our Community, will be on Thursdays in October – the 12th, 19th and 26th from 7-8:30 PM. For more details and to register go to https://www.interfaithchesapeake.org/events or OR contact Bonnie@InterfaithChesapeake.org or call 443-799-0349. IPC is committed to including all interested faith communities in these trainings.
Ditch Mapping Project
The Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) has completed a mapping project of Crisfield’s ditches, available at https://bit.ly/3pZaVA3. The ESRGC is an outreach entity of Salisbury University and is a joint effort between the Mid-Shore Regional Council, the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Upper Shore Regional Council and the University. This project is supported by Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Funds through the Rural Maryland Council and the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. In the next few months, interns from the ESRGC working with a Crisfield resident to complete groundtruthing, or checking the information used for mapping from satellite data by providing by direct observation and measurements to ensure the accuracy of mapped ditch and tide gate locations.
Sustainable Communities Designation Renewal
The City of Crisfield has continued the process of renewing its Sustainable Communities designation. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Sustainable Communities Program is a place-based designation offering a comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. Crisfield has been a recipient of several grants that are only available to designated Sustainable Communities, including the current Façade grant funding.
Renewals for this program are required every five years. This process is led by Tracey Gordy, Director of the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Office Maryland Department of Planning with a group of participants designated by the City including representatives from many Crisfield organizations designated by the City including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield Heritage Foundation, McCready Hospital, Sherwin Williams, Somerset County Economic Development, Crisfield Arts & Entertainment District Project, City of Crisfield and the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition. Committee members will meet every two weeks on Thursdays at 1 pm. These are open meetings and community members are welcome to observe. Please contact jmerritt@crisfieldcityhall.com if you would like the next meeting date and location.
Tide gates and Stormwater Pumping Stations
The engineering firm BayLand has been selected to design tide gates and two stormwater pumping stations as well as conduct the bidding for the construction phase of this project. Design and construction of this project are funded by $1,379,474 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds combined with 10% match and $92,274 remaining in Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) funds.
Stormwater pumping stations will be located at Broadway & 8th and the Norris Harbor Drive intersection with Gerald Ditch. The pumping stations will make some of the earlier proposed tide gates unnecessary and redundant.
The design and permitting for this process will be completed by January of 2025. Eight months of permitting and review time is estimated as part of this process. Construction is estimated to take six months once the design, review, and permitting are completed, with the project completed in mid-2025.
Crisfield City Dock Repairs and Improvements
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Advance Crisfield Main Street Revitalization, City Dock Funding Requests
Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for federally-funded improvements to the Crisfield City Dock were recently advanced by Senators Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris in their respective committees. $2,003,532 for the project was included in the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD)Appropriations Committee Subcommittee Bill. Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cardin also submitted this request on the City’s behalf in the Senate Homeland Security bill, as well as a request for the Main Street Revitalization project, for which they secured $500,000 in the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee bill. The City of Crisfield would like to thank all those who provided letters of support or submitted their names in support of this project through the City’s website.
The Crisfield City Dock hosts community events, provides free water access for crabbing, fishing, and boating, and is a port for boats to Smith and Tangier Islands. If enacted into law, these funds will address structural issues and raise the height of the dock to make it safer and mitigate impacts of sea-level rise. The funding requests are to address the needs found in a structural assessment conducted by the engineering firm Davis, Bowen, and Friedel. The assessment of the Crisfield City Dock found that there is severe deterioration and significant storm damage to the support structure, and that it has exceeded its useful life and is not suited to resist wave forces from coastal storms. The structural assessment recommends a more resilient design to resist the forces of wave action, including elevating the dock. The existing substructure will not support the live loading required by code. Due to this, events that are currently held at that dock are restricted to no more than 100 attendees.
Now that this legislation has cleared the hurdle of the respective Senate and House Appropriations Committees – of which Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Harris are members – the lawmakers will work to maintain this funding as it proceeds to the Chambers’ floors for votes. Funding is not finalized until the Appropriations bills are passed by both chambers, differences between the two bills are reconciled by the chambers, a final product is approved by both the House and the Senate, and the legislation is signed into law by the President.
A $90,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the Crisfield Depot Piers and Walkways will serve to repair the damaged southeast pier of the City Dock. The City has also been approved for an additional $160,000 to supplement the original funding to ensure the major structural repairs needed to this part of the dock can be completed. The engineering firm of Davis, Bowen and Friedel has completed 95% design revisions to ensure that the new pier matches the design area of the entire pier as well as the increase in pier elevation needed for resiliency and to align with the proposed City Dock Congressionally Directed Spending (earmark) project. The design has been submitted for permitting review.
The City Dock improvements required total $2.7 million. $2,253,532 has been applied for or secured, including $2,003,532 in the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Committee Subcommittee Bill by Congressman Harris and $250,000 funded for improvements to the southeast dock through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Waterway Improvement grant. The City will be applying for an additional $250,000 through this funding source for improvements to the northwest pier and will identify a funding source to improve the central pier which extends from the west of the dock.
The City of Crisfield is grateful to Senator Mary Beth Carroza for sponsoring a $100,000 bond bill towards planning for future improvements for the Crisfield City Dock. These funds will be used towards planning that will create an even more inviting space for residents and the community, as well as preparing the dock to host large events.
Wastewater Pumping Stations and Pipe Lining
Crisfield has the following wastewater projects underway:
- Inflow and Infiltration (I & I). I & I involves cleaning, televising, and lining sewer pipes as needed to repair pipes that have become porous and are allowing too much ground water to enter, impacting the processing of sewage at the City’s wastewater treatment plant. This project is being completed by the contractor Standard Pipe Services out of Newark, Delaware. There are only a few sewer lines remaining to clean and line. It is anticipated the contractor will be back on site in September to complete the project. This project is funded by MDE & the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans and forgivable loans for a total of $684,252.
Replacement of wastewater pumps at Cove Street, Rubberset, and Jersey Island. The City has three wastewater pump stations located at Cove Street, Rubberset (Sherwin Williams building) and Jersey Island (Norris Harbor Drive). The pumping stations at Cove Street and Rubberset are being replaced using MDE/USDA-RD funds. These projects are funded by MDE & USDA loans and principal forgiveness loans for a total of $4,392,300. These reflect the following costs: Cove Street (MDE funds of $499,300) and Rubberset (MDE funds of $1,850,000) along with USDA-RD funds of $1,293,000 and Jersey Island (MDE funds of $650,000 and City funds of $100,000).Cove Street and Rubberset Pump Station designs are near complete and awaiting final permits, which are anticipated to be approved in the fall. The bidding process to identify a construction firm will take place this winter, with construction beginning early in 2024. The preliminary environmental forms for the Jersey Island wastewater pumping station have been submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The City has applied to the Rural Maryland Council Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) for $100,000 to fund the engineering for this new wastewater pumping station which was originally installed in 1970. The pump station is located on Norris Harbor Drive on the south side of Somers Cove Marina and serves residential, commercial (seafood and motel), and governmental (US Coast Guard) properties.
This project has received $350,000 from a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) forgivable loan and $350,000 from an MDE loan, however, these funds do not cover the $100,000 engineering cost.
- 1936 Sanitary Sewer Investigation and Rehabilitation Phase II, Water Isolation Valve Installation, and Large Water Meter Replacement These projects are funded by the first round of American Rescue Funds, totaling $1,263,000.
The isolation valves will allow water to be shut down in strategic sections of the City to allow for repairs to be completed when needed. This will prevent the need to shut down the entire City during repairs as has been done in the past. The Water Isolation Valve project has begun with Reynold’s Excavating, Inc. who has begun test pitting valve locations to verify location, size, and material of the waterlines to receive valves. If all goes well with the current excavation of isolation valve sites, installation of the valves will start the second week of August. The water isolation valve installation will be completed by the fall of 2023.
The 1936 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Chesapeake Environmental Services, LLC) investigation portion is complete with most lines requiring lining however a few lines showed significant issues such as large holes and may require full replacement. Prior to full replacement, grouting of the holes may be possible followed by lining and is being further investigated. The contractor is expected to be in Crisfield in October with project completion by mid-November.
The City of Crisfield was awarded $50,329 by the Maryland Department of the Environment for achieving performance optimization for the City’s wastewater treatment plant based on the 2022 Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) performance.
Façade and Business Improvement Program
The Façade and Business Improvement Program in Crisfield is designed to offer grants to business and property owners in Crisfield to assist them with outside façade improvements and other improvements to their business properties. Existing Façade funds of $36,402 have been allocated to four businesses:
- 527 W. Main Street, (Black Eyed Susan’s)
- 938 W. Main Street, (Laird Real Estate)
- 1104 W. Main Street, (Water’s Edge Cafe)
- 38 W. Main Street, (Lady Grace Bed and Breakfast)
This program is managed by the City’s Circuit Rider, who implemented community information sessions about the available façade grant funding. There was a total of 17 business owners in attendance at two information sessions held for potential applicants. Due to the interest in the Façade and Business Improvement Program described above, Crisfield has applied to the DHCD Community Legacy program for $75,000 for FY 2024 to fund façade improvements for five businesses.
Other funding
It Takes A Village to Help Our Children, Inc has hired an Owner’s Representative/Construction Management Consultant and is working on Request for Proposals for design/build for a youth center. It Takes A Village to Help Our Children, Inc has raised a total of $2.52 million in funding, including an allocation of $1 million in the Governor’s Budget towards the youth center. There is $701,606 remaining in grant funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development and the organization has secured $350,000 from the Weinberg Foundation, $200,000 from Rural Maryland Council, $100,000 from Somerset County, $30,000 from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and $40,000 from citizens and businesses was contributed during the organization’s capital campaign.
Five hundred laptops have been distributed through a Connected Devices grant through the Office of Statewide Broadband, in partnership with the Somerset County Library. This program has distributed laptops to eligible households that showed documentation of being within 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Crisfield has applied for the following additional funding:
Main Street Revitalization
A Congressionally Directed Spending request for $500,000 for a Main Street Revitalization and Resiliency Business Incubator was advanced to the Senate Appropriations by Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen , and has been included in the Interior bill in the Senate.
Funds would help revitalize a 339 West Main Street, a City-owned building. The rehabilitation of the building will serve as an anchor to redevelop and drive economic activity to the rest of Main Street. Located in the Historic District and built in 1928, this building features intricate brickwork and large windows. The engineering firm George, Miles, and Bhur has completed a Condition Assessment on this building as well as on 339 West Main Street, an adjacent building also owned by the City of Crisfield.
The Committee’s favorable action is one step in Congress’ deliberations regarding appropriations for the coming fiscal year, and funding for any specific earmark is still not guaranteed until it is included in a final appropriations bill that is passed and enacted into law for Fiscal Year 2024. Appropriations bills are typically passed by both chambers of Congress in late December 2023, but this timing can vary.
The City is also in the process of forming a Main Street Revitalization Committee to help determine an approach for revitalizing what was considered ‘uptown Main Street’. A survey is available at https://www.cityofcrisfield-md.gov/ for community input on the business incubator, and a public meeting for community input will be held on Tuesday, September 19th at 6 pm at the Corbin Studio & Gallery at 4 E Main Street in Crisfield. The business incubator will serve the region, and residents of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester are invited to attend.
Armory
The Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Community Legacy program has funded four grants for a total of $1 million in rehabilitation for the Crisfield Armory at 8 Main Street. The rehabilitated building will serve as an entertainment venue as well as a community space for meetings, weddings and other celebrations.
The most recent grant, for $250,000, will be used to address the needed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades and mold remediation. The total estimated cost for the HVAC/Mold Remediation Phase of the Armory rehabilitation is $658,650. The City has applied for an additional $250,000 to complete the mold rehabilitation and HVAC work for this large building, and is exploring sources for the remaining funding to complete this phase of the renovation. The City of Crisfield has selected the engineering firm Allen & Shariff to design the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system for the $77,200 through a Request for Proposal process and will have more detailed information on the construction of the HVAC when the design is completed.
With the Crisfield Armory rehabilitation, an important aspect of Crisfield’s heritage will be restored and will return to community function. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places both for its community use and because it was built as a functional armory to honor World War I veterans and later served men of Company L, 115 Infantry of the 29th Division who served in D-Day.
Lead Service Line Inventory
The Revised EPA Lead and Copper Rule/Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) requires a lead service inventory be developed and submitted by October 16, 2024. A lead service line means a portion of pipe providing drinking water that is made of lead, which connects the water main to the building inlet.
The City applied for $80,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment to create this inventory, however, the project was not funded. The City will be seeking other resources to complete this required project.
Housing & Community Resource Coordinator
The City of Crisfield is currently experiencing a shortage of affordable housing. To address this, the City has applied to the Department of Housing and Community Development Operating Assistance Grant – Technical Assistance Grant for $50,000 funding for a Housing & Community Resource Coordinator. Crisfield will be matching this funding with approximately $12,500 in benefits including paid vacation and health insurance. The Coordinator will support Crisfield community needs with a focus on housing resources. The Housing Coordinator will serve to connect the Crisfield community with existing resources and opportunities as well as to increase available resources through grant writing and management. The Coordinator will also connect citizens to resources for financial education and employment opportunities through available government programs and resources.
Funding a Crisfield Housing & Community Resource Coordinator will directly impact the health of the local economy, and the well-being of the community. The applications for those who have applied will be reviewed and the application period will open again in the next few weeks.
Chesapeake Gateways Network National Park Service Grant
Crisfield has applied for a $149,480 grant for marketing the town through the Chesapeake Gateways Network National Park Service Grant. This project was not awarded funding by this grant, but Crisfield will continue to look for opportunities to fund marketing projects.
The City has also established a Marketing Committee to assist with marketing efforts for Crisfield.
Low Income Housing Initiative
The City of Crisfield has applied to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy program for the Crisfield Low Income Housing Initiative which includes
$117,600 to demolish six derelict homes that were provided by Somerset County to the City of Crisfield for this project. These homes had become property of the County through property tax sales. Once the properties are demolished the City will partner with the Eastern Shore Long-Term Recovery Committee (ESLTRC), local contractors, and other non-profit organizations to build houses for our low-income residents who qualify.
Interpretive sign
An interpretive sign about history is required as remediation for the DHCD grant-funded demolition of the building formerly located at 333 W Main Street. This sign will contain information about the 1928 Crisfield Fire. The former building was a notable survivor of this fire. Crisfield has applied for $10,000 to install a weatherproof interpretive panel at this location.
Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) Requests to the Maryland Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP)
As part of Maryland’s effort to support municipalities with Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding, the Maryland Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) has provided fund mapping service through the Project Intake Form tool. Crisfield submitted information on the following infrastructure projects and priorities: City Dock, Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades, Road Assessment and Improvement Implementation, Water Tower Maintenance Problem, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Review Process and Lead Service Line Inventory. Crisfield has an appointment for further conversations with MTAP to find if any funding sources are available for these projects.
Police Department Projects in Progress
LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officer’s Pension System) – Mayor and City Council adopted a Resolution on 4/12/2023 at the City Council meeting. The City is grateful to Senator Mary Beth Carozza for sponsoring this bill.
USDA VEHICLE – The Crisfield Police Department received a vehicle on April 6th.
GOCCP (PACT) FY 2024 Police Accountability, Community and Transparency Grant Program – The Crisfield Police Department was awarded $18,600 for their Mental Health and Wellness Program.
New Officers:
Jordan Hughes officially joined the Crisfield police force, graduating from Wor-Wic Academy on June 16th as a sworn police officer.
Viridiana Hill has been reinstated by the MPCTC (Maryland Police Correctional Training Commission). Effective July 12, 2023, she is now a certified PFC with the Crisfield Police Force.
