During the flash floods that destroyed downtown Ellicott City on July 31st of last summer , the Tiber and Hudson swelled with runoff from streams located over a mile away . The U . S . Geological Survey found evidence that the Hudson branch rose as much as eight feet in places where it is usually just a trickle . Inside of just minutes , the tributaries overflowed into the narrow corridor of Main Street , creating a flood that surged from the streambed to push through doors , windows , and entire buildings , following the path of least resistance toward the Patapsco . It carried cars , shop inventories , debris , mud , homes and entrepreneurial dreams in its wake .
Last July ’ s flooding of Ellicott City dumped six and a half inches of rain on the area within two harrowing hours . Ninety businesses and 107 homes were damaged , many beyond repair . Two people died . Homeowners were displaced . Businesses were ruined . Howard County officials estimate renovation and redevelopment will cost at least $ 22.4 million .
J . Melvin Premier Properties opened a three-story office on historic Main Street in July 2016 , exactly one month before the flood . “ We were excited to extend our business to downtown Ellicott City . It seemed a natural fit to expand from one historic city to another ,” said Jennie Melvin , owner of the regionally successful real estate agency , headquartered in West Annapolis . Jennie ’ s family has deep roots in the area . Her great-grandfather George T . Melvin developed Murray Hill , West Annapolis and Glen Burnie , and was a prominent entrepreneur in the city . Her father was also a successful business owner and philanthropist . She has roots in Ellicott City as well : she is distantly related to the Ellicott brothers who settled the area and built the town .
Located at # 8231 near the top of Main Street , the office ' s front door was just yards from a water main that broke during the storm . The fracture of the water main significantly contributed to the flooding of neighborhood . The Tiber River flows directly behind the office building , literally just a couple of feet away from the back door . When it flooded its banks and the watermain burst , the force of the flow chipped away at the foundation until large holes were formed . One hole , in particular , is large enough , in fact , to carry away a ten-foot long wooden conference table which remains missing to this day . Water forced through the opening stone-by-stone until portions of the foundation were washed away . A concrete retaining wall and porch on the rear of the building are gone . The downstairs level is a wreck of broken wood , branches , boulders and
The Bank Vault Door at the new J . Melvin Office
River Rocks washed in from the Tiber River that runs directly behind the J . Melvin offices .
sand . While other Ellicott City buildings are under renovation , the J . Melvin office remains one of the few edifices still inaccessible because of the extent of the damage , and uninhabitable because of mold and mildew . Jennie and agency broker Carlos Garcia remain stalwart in support of their Ellicott City expansion , though . “ After touring several other cities in Howard and Montgomery counties , we were attracted to the warm welcome and strong community feel of Main Street , which was home to other entrepreneurial , local businesses like our own ,” Jennie said . “ We believe strongly that Ellicott City will recover , and that it will be better and stronger than ever ,” noted Garcia . “ We are committed to community service , community involvement , and community improvement . Helping other business owners and homeowners recover from the flood is the right thing to do .” The company is donating ten percent ( 10 %) of any Howard County settlements through January 1 , 2017 , to funds that aid flood victims .
Recently , Melvin signed the lease on a new office , this one located just down the street in a former bank . When renovations are complete , customers will enter a gorgeous space with high vaulted ceilings , period details , and even a walk-in safe where visiting children can play . " Don ' t worry ," laughs Garcia . " There ' s no way ten men could close the door to that vault ! It ' s ridiculously heavy and unmovable !" Melvin expects to take occupancy of the space in early November .
J . Melvin agents continue to support their clients from temporary offices and say they are grateful that rebuilding remains a possibility for the company and the Main Street community . “ People ask me why I would consider going back to Ellicott City , and I ask them if they would ever abandon downtown Annapolis . Of course you wouldn ’ t !" Jennie exclaimed . " Helping our fellow business owners and the entire Main Street community aligns with my company ’ s and my family ’ s core values and is both a pleasure and an obligation we look forward to fulfilling .”
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