CWDI: RESPONDS TO CITY’S LAWSUIT

CAMBRIDGE, Md.
Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI) has responded to the City of Cambridge’s lawsuit filed on May 1, 2024 and later amended on May 3, 2024 in the Circuit Court for Dorchester County, Case No. Case No. C-09-cv-24-000146.

"We had no choice but to respond,” explains Matt Leonard, CWDI Executive Director. “The City’s lawsuit has its facts wrong, and threatens the significant progress CWDI is making on behalf of the community to finally realize the 30-year vision for Cambridge’s waterfront.”

Development of Cambridge’s waterfront was first envisioned by the Committee of 100 of Dorchester in 1992. Plans for redevelopment have been consistent from that time showing a boutique hotel, mixed-use retail, residential, food and beverage spaces, and a highly activated and publicly accessible waterfront along the Choptank River from Cambridge Creek to the Malkus Bridge.

“It was the Committee of 100’s work that activated the community’s vision and along the way led to the initial development of Sailwinds Park, the Visitor Center, Everybody’s Playspace (playground), the beach and even the Hyatt,” says Frank Narr, CWDI’s Secretary-Treasurer. “Then the board of Sailwinds Park, Inc. carried the vision forward to the formation of CWDI.”

CWDI is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit development corporation and public-private partnership made up the State of Maryland, Dorchester County, City of Cambridge, and CWDI. Each appoints members to CWDI’s seven-member all volunteer Board of Directors. CWDI is charged with developing the waterfront through a community-first approach consistent with the community’s long-term vision. The realization of this vision is threatened by the City’s actions.

The City significantly amended its May 1, 2024 lawsuit, eliminating the baseless claim that CWDI had illegally transferred property to itself. “Someone advising the City Commissioners must have finally read all the transfer documents, and not just the one the City used in their original filing,” says Angie Hengst, CWDI’s President. “So, they pulled that claim in their amended filing.”

Also in their amendment, the City stopped asserting that there could not be a hotel deal imminent as CWDI had informed them over the weeks prior to their filing. “Whoever advised the City Commissioners that there was no way CWDI could have a hotel deal ready to sign clearly has no idea how property development works, or community development, or economic development,” says Mr. Leonard.

“With CWDI’s response filed today, we hope that the City Commissioners have all of the facts, and will withdraw their suit and return to a more collaborative path with us and the other partners,” adds President Hengst.