Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Potomac Crossing, LLC announced a major step toward restarting ferry service at White’s Ferry in Dickerson, MD. County officials and Potomac Crossing, LLC, a business entity owned by Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, recently reached an agreement to transfer the White’s Ferry property and ferry business assets in Maryland to Montgomery County. Formal contracts to confirm this agreement were completed and executed earlier this week.
“Stacy and I originally acquired this property because we thought the stoppage of service could be resolved privately,” said Chuck Kuhn. “After several years of work, it became clear that realizing this vision would require the leadership and partnership of the County and State. Today, we’re glad that our joint efforts are allowing those steps to move forward, and I encourage Loudoun County to take the necessary actions to reopen the Virginia landing for this vital public service. Stacy and I are pleased to be able to donate the assets and believe the agreement we reached is fair and sets the stage for the ferry to resume, which has always been our main goal.”
While the acquisition of the property, boats, and other assets on the property is an important step forward, ferry service will not resume based on these actions alone, and landing rights at the end of White’s Ferry Road in Loudoun County still need to be restored. Montgomery County does not have authority to acquire those rights but will continue to support officials in Loudoun County to achieve the goal of restarting ferry operations. Once the Virginia landing is available, Montgomery County intends to operate the ferry as a public service under public control.
Montgomery County agreed to purchase the property, located at 24801 White’s Ferry Road in Dickerson, totaling approximately 2.5 acres of riverfront land, a store, a ferry ramp and boat launch, storage buildings, and other structures and improvements on the land for $1.5 million. The Kuhns agreed to donate the ferry boats, business assets, and other equipment to Montgomery County, valued at over $7 million, at no cost and to support efforts to establish landing rights in Virginia so ferry service can resume.
“I am pleased that this major step toward reopening the ferry is complete,” said County Executive Elrich. “I want to express my appreciation to our Department of Transportation (MCDOT) for their steadfast work completing this agreement. We also appreciate the commitment of the Town of Poolesville Commissioners, the Fair Access Committee, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo and the entire District 15 Maryland State Delegation for bringing us to this point. The County Council has been instrumental in advocating for a solution and for appropriating the funds needed to carry out this agreement. Finally, I want to applaud the guidance provided by John Markovs and the Office of the County Attorney. The legal issues surrounding the shutdown of the ferry are exceedingly complex and we could not have reached this milestone without their deep engagement and counsel.”
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“We have done everything we can and have resolved the issues with control of the Maryland landing and the ferry itself,” Elrich continued. “Now the ferry belongs to the residents of Montgomery County and this part is resolved; I hope that our colleagues in Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia take note of this major shift and see their way to acquire the rights needed to restart the service. We stand ready to work with them to achieve this important goal.”
“Today’s announcement is an important step toward restoring White’s Ferry, a vital connection between Maryland and Virginia,” said U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney (District 6). “The C&O Canal and the Potomac River are the backbone of Maryland’s Sixth District, and I have spoken with my colleagues in the Virginia delegation about the importance of this crossing. I welcome continued dialogue with our partners in Virginia so we can work together to restore this historic link for the families, workers, farmers, and small businesses who depend on it.”
The Potomac River ferry closed in Dec. 2020 following a Loudoun Circuit Court ruling regarding the validity of landing rights in Virginia. An agreement between a previous ferry owner in Maryland and the landowner in Virginia could not be reached following the court decision, ultimately leading to the cessation of service. The Kuhns bought the ferry in February 2021 with the intent of reopening it to help protect this important, historic Potomac River crossing that had economic significance for the region.
“I am very encouraged by the progress and appreciate the County and local partners for their hard work. White’s Ferry is not only a piece of critical infrastructure, but also a historic landmark in western Montgomery County that we are proud to represent in the Maryland General Assembly,” said State Delegate Lily Qi (District 15). “My colleagues and I are committed to continuing our efforts toward the eventual reopening of this important transportation artery to benefit our economy and quality of life.”
Last year, Montgomery County and Maryland state officials announced a plan to offer up to $3 million to help restart the ferry.
“We have collectively done all we can to clear the channel for White’s Ferry to pull up anchor and invigorate the Town of Poolesville, while working to reestablish a key regional transportation link between Montgomery County and Virginia,” said County Council President Natali Fani-González, who also chairs the Council’s Economic Development Committee. “The $3 million strategic investment made by the State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and the Town of Poolesville means that hundreds of cars could be taken off the road each day, which cuts commuting times and fuel usage. Restoring this transportation link would be a big win for commuter budgets, the environment, and our economy with a $9 million impact projected each year.”
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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has been facilitating negotiations between the two private owners after initial talks were unsuccessful.
“The challenges in getting the ferry restored over the last six years have been incredibly complex and at every turn, we have encountered a new obstacle,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “I understand the frustration of community members, particularly for our residents and businesses in and around Poolesville. With this step, Montgomery County has done everything within its Constitutional authority to enable a restart. While we have worked for years to come to a comprehensive solution, I am pleased that we have taken this important step today. We hope that our colleagues in Virginia take the steps needed so that service can resume. While western Montgomery County and Poolesville have been most impacted by the loss of this service, it provided major benefits for residents in Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg as well.”
Established in 1786, White’s Ferry provided an important link between Maryland and Virginia, serving nearly 800 daily users when operational. Its reopening will restore a vital transportation connection and a cherished piece of the region’s history. As a next step, Montgomery County will move the ferry vessels out of the river, assess their condition, and begin necessary repairs so that service can resume once landing rights in Virginia are reestablished. Montgomery County intends to continue uninterrupted operation of the business activities on the site, including White’s Ferry Grill, and will explore opportunities to create additional public benefits and recreational opportunities at the property.
“The purchase and donation of White’s Ferry by Montgomery County is a much-needed investment in the history and the people of Poolesville and the Western County region,” said Jim Brown, president of the Poolesville Town Commission. “We appreciate the work of our County DOT, our elected officials, and the voices of our community to bring this agreement to fruition.”
Additional information including a 2021 White’s Ferry Alternatives Study can be found online.
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Read the original article at mcdot