Super Storm Sandy was a devastating encounter in 2012 for Crisfield, Maryland. It laid ruin to a town already adversely impacted by the economy. The lunar tide doubled the damage. Had it not been for a few brave souls to pressure the Federal Government to reverse a decision for Disaster Recovery Designation, who knows what would have been the fate of a once bustling town by 2015. As we quickly approach the 3 year anniversary, there are many heart-warming reasons to celebrate a Crisfield rebirth: houses rebuilt, 3 new businesses, rebuilding the depot, rebuilding the beach and the new city municipal park and a new library; are just to name a few. In 2014, Crisfield received national recognition from Zillow as the 2nd Best place in United States to buy waterfront vacation property and is listed as one of the top ten destinations for kayakers by a national kayaking magazine, and is visited in 2015 by 22 top kayaking instructors for a company called Outward Bound, scouting for a destination to support a 5-8 night paddling adventure package to be marketed nationally.
On any given Friday from April to October, a steady stream of vehicles strapped with kayaks and bicycles heading down Rt. 413 towards Crisfield can be seen. These Weekend Warriors, mostly city folks cooped up in buildings all week, have the undying hope that the weather is mild, the winds are calm, and the bugs are elsewhere. Many find their way, after their paddle, to venture into our town for some food, shopping, drinks, or a combination. Since 2012, less and less are filtering down the trek of Rt. 413 for our pristine salt marshes and flat roadways. I must admit, even I visit my small second home in Crisfield less and less and will have to make a decision soon to keep it or unload it.
So what happened, and how can we reverse this trend?
The perfect storm that hit Crisfield in 2012 is not dissimilar to the perfect storm that continues to hit it economically. With a physical storm, the combination of hot and cold air masses colliding with the warm waters of the Atlantic, which then became magnified by the full moon. This rare tidal pull leading to what many experts referred to as a ‘Franken-Storm’ hit Crisfield head-on, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Economically, many factors have come together to cause the Crisfield we love to brew, much like a bad storm described above. What deepens the pain is that many of the causes for the perfect economic storm could have been easily preventable.
A lack of ordinance enforcement for years on Main Street, Somerset County tourism and economic development offices being run by ineffective boards, county commissioners slow to reorganize those same offices to report to the county administrator, – are a few that paved the way to where our city now finds itself.
Additional considerations are town amenities that are not progressively managed like Crisfield Airport, Carvel Hall, Somers Cove Marina, Wellington Beach, Heritage Museum, planned green spaces at 10th, the city dock green space and the small beach behind Tawes Oil. Add to this a 42 acre Public Housing Authority that, although the biggest user of city resources, pays the least in taxes ($17,000 annually in lieu of taxes). With 254 units, each with at least 1 adult, possibly 2 equals more than likely another 354 potential customers for Crisfield businesses. However, those households cannot afford to support the non-franchised businesses. And why should they? Our Housing Authority has its own configuration of entrepreneurs that sell food, cigarettes, beverages right out of the rental units. At the other end of the storm configuration are neighborhoods like Ammennnessex Ridge, Hearts Ease and Cullen Parkway that account for 182 homes, with at least 2 people (364 residents) which predominantly have grown accustomed to staying home, going to Salisbury or the private clubs that offer cheap drinks, food and a probable guarantee that none of the housing authority residents will venture into their private club. As a result legitimately operating businesses in Crisfield are missing out on 718 customers. So businesses, especially the bigger buildings tend to open for a season and then close for years. More empty buildings than not; especially on the heart of Main Street, which continues to paint the town as a once prosperous place.
The economic lunar tide is our local police department – very appreciated, very dedicated but when you have city police, county police and state police all very visible – on the one road that is lined with the few businesses that are left – word spreads quickly not to come back. On any given Sunday they are parked at the side of our Fire Department, sending a welcome warning, despite the main artery of pavement being almost devoid of traffic.
This perfect storm has economically devastated Crisfield in a way that Super Storm Sandy never did. Last winter was difficult, but the impending winter of 2015-16 will probably finish off a few businesses and homeowners even still. Fortunately, we have another person buying up vacant commercial properties with a plan to open, yet again, more businesses while the factors of Crisfield’s economic storm go unaddressed or addressed so slowly survival becomes for many business owners, a luxury. They will come, they will invest, they will perhaps refurbish and open. They will enjoy the honeymoon that all Crisfield businesses enjoy. Then, like so many others before them, they will grow bitter and leave and tell so many other business people in their out-of-town circles, don’t even bother going to Crisfield– and unbeknownst to many Crisfielders – Many of potential visitors actually listen. And so the word spreads, faster than social media, faster and more indelible than a minister’s blessing – becoming a millionaire in Crisfield is when you come with two million. But still, the deal hounds will find their way to Crisfield, hoping their roll of the dice will be different. It’s a 3 year storm cycle that has been fun to watch, fun to be a part of and although sad to witness at times, has proven to be a successful model elsewhere for many that left Crisfield.
Maho’s, Lynns Kitchen, Moonlight Pizza, Baileys’ Jewelers and even Jerry Hardesty have proven that leaving Crisfield is a good business decision – they continue to have viable businesses elsewhere. This perfect storm has been brewing in Crisfield for the last decade. The beauty of this perfect storm that took 10 years to develop could be corrected in 5 years if addressed now….. 2020 could be the year of Crisfield if the turning of the tide started yesterday. The town’s greatest potential remains, a reinvention of a niche that all embrace to return Crisfield to its glory days and the stormy skies that have plagued it, will be no more. Let go of the past, bury the grudges, dismiss the backstabbing. Business owners, city leaders and the residents do not need to be the best of buds, but they do need to support each other through commerce or what is left will fade into the past like everything else. Look towards the future – and reach out to each other. Maybe then there will be blue skies once more, with a beautiful rainbow leading everyone to the little town that always could, should and would. Being change adverse, risk adverse and lacking a clear plan that has the consensus behind it, once the challenges are addressed, will lead to a brighter future.
Tina Watson
Crisfield After Dark 
I enjoy reading this site and it is very well written.I have a few things to say in response to this post.First of all, the city needs to support the kayak landing in town,just about every tourist who comes has kayaks or canoes strapped atop their vehicles.However,we need more in town to attract them and make it worthwhile to paddle in from the park.
Other than a handful of terrific sit-down restaurants,a ton of takeout places and dollar ‘stores,there is not much to offer for tourists in the retail sector.They cannot buy a swimsuit here if they forgot to pack one.They can’t pick up the latest bestselling novel to read at the beach either.Unless,of course,they drive all the way to Pocomoke ! That’s what people do on vacation,they forget stuff or they want a beach read.
The beach IS nice but what about pools? The Marina will not sell stand alone pool memberships,which many of us parents would be happy to pay for,so as a tourist, unless you have a friend here with a pool , you drive to Salisbury or Pocomoke and rent a room at a hotel with a pool.The beach is nice but has water moccasins and jellyfish,which make swimming iffy.
As far as the Zillow ranking, I think it is due to the fact that you can’t seem to even give land and/or houses away,which is why the city ends up absorbing them and thus,the properties no longer contribute to the tax revenue.That might have something to do with the realigned flood plain maps-many insurers also stopped issuing renters or homeowner policies for floods in the 21817 zip code,due to the enormous amount of claims they paid out after Sandy.
Last but not least,I don’t think the police presence has a negative effect on tourism,As a tourist in a place I am not familiar with,a strong police presence makes me feel secure.The CPD budget has forced them to eliminate a position,so sometimes they do rely on other law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in Crisfield,especially during special events like Crab Derby,Clambake and other festivals.
One last thought….
I don’t know what the solutions to any of the city’s problems are,but the population is going to keep dwindling and further reducing the tax base unless things change and soon.
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