Historic buildings come down ‘brick by brick’ in Old Ellicott City; ‘Character-defining elements’ preserved for potential reuse

When Mark Hemmis filmed “24 Hours to Hell and Back: Save Our Town” with chef Gordon Ramsay in 2020, he knew the day would come when the Old Ellicott City building that housed his beloved restaurant, The Phoenix, would be gone.

Four years later, that day is here. The original building is gone, and the restaurant has moved up the hill, now called “Phoenix Upper Main.” Hemmis and his restaurant’s story were featured on Ramsay’s national show in an effort to highlight the town’s need to rebuild after two devastating floods in as many years.

The human side of this resiliency tale and the effects of the climate on a centuries-old town have other aspects to it, as well. There have been efforts taken throughout to preserve as much of the historic architectural features from the four buildings being demolished as possible.

Demolition of the four buildings at the bottom of Main Street in Old Ellicott City are part of the Safe and Sound initiative, which has a dual mission, according to the Howard County government website: “to implement state-of-the-art flood mitigation measures ensuring the safety and well-being of all, and to celebrate and preserve the rich historical tapestry that makes Ellicott City unique.”

After the 2016 and 2018 floods, Howard County acquired 10 buildings on Lower Main Street, from the former Phoenix restaurant building up to the former Caplan’s building. The Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan involves removing the four buildings at the bottom, and renovating the remaining six so that they will no longer have portions that cross the Tiber stream.

“When the county first announced they were going to demo those buildings, I know my mind and I think a lot of other people’s minds went to a wrecking ball,” Hemmis said. “Literally picturing a wrecking ball at the side of that building. I think the job they’ve done down there has been unbelievably professional and very cognizant of the emotional states of town people and business owners and everything else.”

The initial 2018 plan was to remove all 10 buildings. The Safe and Sound plan limited removal to just the lower four, and renovation for the remaining six.

“Under the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball made a commitment to minimize the loss of buildings and preserve as much history as possible while advancing flood mitigation solutions,” said Mark Miller, Administrator for the Office of Public Information. “As part of the approval process to remove the buildings, Howard County engaged a Historical Preservation Architect, who in consultation with regulatory authorities, identified elements of each building to be preserved.  These elements, referred to as ‘Character-defining elements’ are being carefully removed, salvaged, and stored for future reuse.”

Miller explained that as part of the regulatory approval process, Howard County was required to preserve the character-defining elements of the buildings being removed. These elements will be stored at a secure location owned by Howard County, Miller told Fishbowl.

The Howard County Government will try to reuse these building elements within the Ellicott City Historic District. Specific decision-making on use of the salvaged elements, however, involves engaging a qualified historic preservation architect for advice on reuse. Miller said Howard County will also seek input from the county’s Historic Preservation Commission.

“Through the EC Safe and Sound Plan, we are protecting and preserve as much of our town as possible while advancing the most effective solutions to reduce and divert stormwater away from Main Street,” Miller said. “Although the County must remove four buildings along Lower Main Street under the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, we have sought to recognize and honor the history of these buildings on Main Street. By salvaging elements of the building, we will continue to tell their story and history elsewhere within the Historic District.”

Hemmis believes that will require next-level creativity and brainpower, but fully believes that is Howard County’s intention. He predicts, however, that as unusual and beautiful as some of the character-defining elements are, many of them will end up in the County’s Historical Society Museum.

“It’s going to take some vision to integrate those well into something down here,” Hemmis said. “I’m not sure how functional a lot of them are going to be in modern buildings and then also in keeping with the historic nature down here and current building codes.”

“They literally [took down] everything brick by brick, preserve everything they possibly could with with the intention to save them or use them. I hope that they get reused,” Hemmis said.