In Annapolis, even lame-duck politicians know how to take care of their friends.
1. The Deal
On October 27, just days before Election Day, Annapolis’s all-Democrat City Council pushed through a 20-year lease extension for the historic Market House — one of the city’s most valuable waterfront properties.
The new agreement hands control of the city-owned landmark to New Market House LLC, operated by Jody Danek, the longtime business partner of outgoing Mayor Gavin Buckley.
The vote? 7 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, 1 recusal (Buckley).
The deal starts in July 2033, when the current lease ends, and could last through 2053. There was no competitive rebid, no independent appraisal, and no dissenting voice.
2. The Cost
City documents show the lease cuts Annapolis’s share of sales revenue in half, raises the threshold for when that revenue even begins, and lets the tenant deduct up to $100,000 in improvements every five years from what’s owed. Critics say that means some years the City will get nothing at all.
Over time, the combination of lower rent, higher thresholds, and lost sublease profits adds up to roughly $3.55 million in taxpayer losses between 2033 and 2053.
| Category | Estimated 20-Year Loss |
|---|---|
| Base rent below market | $900,000 |
| Cut in performance rent (2% → 1%) | $750,000 |
| $100K improvement credits (per 5-year term) | $400,000 |
| Sublease profits (no City share) | $1,500,000 |
| Total Estimated Loss | ≈ $3.55 million |
The performance-rent threshold rises from $1.5 million to $2.0 million, while the City’s percentage drops from 2% to 1%—cutting its share in half.
The Fiscal Impact Note even concedes that the new lease “will decrease the performance rent portion the City receives,” yet still labels the change “budget neutral.”
The City calls it neutral. Taxpayers call that nonsense.
3. The Connections
For more than two decades, Buckley and Danek have co-owned some of Annapolis’s best-known restaurants — Tsunami (2003), Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge (2004), Lemongrass (2005+), and Sailor Oyster Bar. Together, they turned West Street into an entertainment district, securing permits, parking waivers, and city-backed events like Dinner Under the Stars.
Supporters call them visionaries. Critics call them insiders with too much pull at City Hall.
Now, with the Market House locked in for another generation, that partnership has become a symbol of one-party cronyism — where political friends benefit from taxpayer-owned assets with little scrutiny.
4. The Pattern
The vote was nearly unanimous, as usual. Annapolis’s “Gang of 9” council members agree on nearly everything, rarely debate publicly, and routinely approve measures that critics say deserve deeper review.
That same night, they quietly tabled ranked-choice voting reform — a move that would have opened elections to more competition and independents.
It’s a familiar pattern:
- No competition.
- No dissent.
- No accountability.
As one local resident put it: “They build seawalls with one hand and hand out sweetheart deals with the other.”
5. Campaign Fire
Mayoral candidate Bob O’Shea says the Market House deal shows what’s wrong with City Hall.
“It’s a broken system of cronyism, where friends of friends run everything,” O’Shea said.
“When the Buckley gang votes to give Buckley’s friend a twenty-five-year, sole-source lease to one of the most historic buildings in Annapolis—so that friend can profit with no competition, we have an issue.”
He pledged to “fix City Hall—zoning, permits, inspections, and parking—and bring accountability back.”
His comments, made on November 1, 2025, mark the first direct campaign attack over the Market House vote.
6. What Comes Next
Annapolis residents don’t need petitions or partisanship — they need transparency.
After the election, the next mayor and council should:
- Revisit the Market House lease in 2026, with a full market-rate audit.
- Post quarterly sales and rent data publicly.
- Require a supermajority vote or rebid for any lease longer than ten years.
- Request an ethics review into recusals, donations, and communications tied to this deal.
The Principle at Stake
Government’s first fiscal duty is to protect taxpayers — through transparency, competition, and accountability.
The Market House vote failed on all three.
No one begrudges success. But public property isn’t a private playground.
Annapolis’s leaders should serve the people — not their restaurant partners.
The swamp isn’t just in D.C.
It’s on City Dock.
Sources: Fiscal Impact Note (O-33-25), Revised October 2025 Lease, Staff Report Summary of Changes, Capital Gazette, Baltimore Banner, Eye on Annapolis, Legistar.
MDBayNews analyzed publicly available records, including the Fiscal Impact Note, Staff Report, and October 2025 Lease Revision (O-33-25). Figures are estimates based on city-supplied rent and rate data.
About MDBayNews
The MDBayNews Editorial Desk tracks waste, cronyism, and reform in Maryland’s capital region.
Tips: editor@mdbaynews.com
Support Independent Journalism: MDBayNews is funded solely through reader support. Help sustain investigations that hold public institutions accountable.
Donate, Buy Me a Coffee, or Subscribe for Updates.
Discover more from Maryland Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.