top of page

EC Safe and Sound

About the Plan

The Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan, developed by County Executive Calvin Ball, is a multi-phase plan built around the need for public safety, supporting business and property owners, preparing the county for a changing climate, and creating a more inclusive, community driven process for decisions regarding Ellicott City’s future. There are four main focus areas of the plan: ensuring public safety, supporting business and property owners, maintaining Ellicott City's historic charm, and developing a more inclusive, community-driven process.  

pub_safety.png

Ensuring Public Safety

Public safety is the top priority of the Ball administration and is the biggest responsibility of the county executive. In Ellicott City, this means ensuring that the structures on Main Street are safe and secure, providing residents and business owners with as much notice as possible when inclement weather is coming, and keeping our waterways free from debris. In May 2019, the county executive announced a flood mitigation plan that is expected to drastically reduce flood waters on Main Street, as well as new high ground access points to lead people out of the floodplain.

​

Read more about initiatives aimed at ensuring public safety.

bus_property.png

Supporting Business & Property Owners

The 2016 and 2018 floods were devastating for residents and business owners across the county. County Executive Ball is providing resources and assistance to business owners and residents. The county executive is also continuing to work with our state and federal partners to identify additional resources for the county, including $20 million obtained through the state's capital budget since taking office.

​

Read more about initiatives to provide resources for business owners and residents.

hist_charm.png

Retaining Ellicott City's Historic Charm

The county executive has great respect for the hard work that went into the previous flood mitigation plan. After a thorough review, the Ball administration has selected a flood mitigation plan that prioritizes public safety while keeping as much of Old Ellicott City’s charm and history as possible. All of the buildings on lower Main Street that the county intended to purchase have now been purchased, and have since been cleaned and stabalized.

​

Read more about the county executive's plans regarding buildings on Lower Main Street.

incl_process.png

Developing a More Inclusive, Community-Driven Process

 

It is important that future plans for Ellicott City are developed in coordination with businesses, residents, and other stakeholders. In 2019, the Master Planning process was restarted after being paused following the 2018 election. New concepts were prepared and presented to the public in October 2019. The Master Plan was completed and approved by the Howard County Council in 2020.

​

Read more about how the county executive is working to be more inclusive of all stakeholders.

bottom of page