The announcement appears to complicate two unsolicited proposals for the Greenbury Point Conservation Area, including an idea floated this year by Chet Gladchuk, the academy’s athletic director, to build a new 18-hole golf course there.
Gladchuk, who also heads the Naval Academy Golf Association, urged the Navy to consider allowing the nonprofit organization to lease and build a second golf course, as well as other recreational features, on the peninsula across the River Severn from the academy. He said the new course and other recreational features would benefit thousands of midshipmen, serving and retired military who play discount golf, and the public.
The idea sparked immediate opposition from hikers, birdwatchers and conservationists seeking to preserve the roughly 280-acre area. It also led to a counter proposal from Anne Arundel County Manager Steuart Pittman last week to lease and manage the area as a county park. Opponents argued that a new golf course would pollute the Chesapeake Bay, cut off public access to water and destroy natural habitat for wildlife.
Each has applied for a sole-source lease for the Navy property, which is overseen by Naval Support Activity Annapolis, a facility that supports academy and Navy properties on the peninsula. On Monday, the Navy announced that the emergence of unsolicited competing interests in the property meant that a non-competitive lease would no longer be possible.
“We have received competing proposals from Anne Arundel County and the Naval Academy Golf Association for a sole-source lease and management of Greenbury Point, which makes it more possible to consider the application of either ‘other party,’ said Ed Zeigler, spokesman for Naval District Washington, which oversees the Annapolis command. He said the local command is “currently evaluating the status and future of Greenbury Point in support of the mission of the installation and the US Naval Academy.”
Gladchuk said Monday evening that it was not immediately clear how the Navy’s announcement would affect the Naval Academy Golf Association’s proposal, but he said the organization would review the Navy’s position and “act accordingly.” “.
Opponents – who had posted the Navy’s statement on the Save Greenbury Point page on Facebook – seemed optimistic but cautious.
“I hope this reflects a positive change of direction for the Navy, but I know with absolute certainty that the community will continue to advocate strongly for the permanent conservation of the Greenbury Point Conservation Area and for continued equitable public access. until this result is achieved. said Joel Dunn, executive director of the Chesapeake Conservancy, in an email.