The flood mitigation option selected by County Executive Ball as part of phase 2 of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan achieves the goal of prioritizing public safety while retaining more of Ellicott City's historic charm. The plan calls for the removal of 4 buildings on Main Street in order to complete critical capital projects and the partial removal of 6 additional buildings in order to remove constrictions over the stream channel.   

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As promised, in December the county resumed negotiations with property owners who received an official purchase offer under the previous administration. To date, the county has acquired 8 properties on lower Main Street, 1 property on the West End, and 2 properties in Valley Mede. Negotiations are ongoing with other property owners. Structural engineers have inspected the buildings and deemed them stable with the exception of the back of Caplan's. The county will seek to demolish the back of Caplan's as soon as possible to preserve the historic character of the facade and ensure public safety.