our mission is downtown frederick
Time for dinner at Il Porto Italian Restaurant on S Market St
our mission is Downtown Frederick
First Saturdays are always a great time to catch up with friends
our mission is downtown frederick
Ready for the lunch crowd at Moxie Bakery & Cafe on N Market St
About Us
Mission Statement
Downtown Frederick Partnership works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality of Downtown Frederick by implementing the national Main Street program for the benefit of Frederick businesses, residents and visitors.
About the Partnership
Founded in 1990 as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, Downtown Frederick Partnership has managed Downtown Frederick’s Main Street program since designation in 2001. Main Street designation is awarded by Main Street Maryland (State of Maryland) and is recognized by The City of Frederick and the National Trust Main Street Center.
The Main Street Program is a preservation-based, downtown revitalization approach. The goal of the Main Street Program is to strengthen the vitality of traditional main streets and neighborhoods.
Working with business and community leaders, the Partnership fully embraces the Main Street Program and oversees the work of four active committees including: the Design Committee which focuses on the downtown streetscape, policy advocacy and long-term planning, the Economic Restructuring Committee which works to support our existing businesses and recruit new businesses where necessary, the Organization Committee which raises funds as well as recruits and thanks volunteers and the Promotion Committee which promotes and brands Downtown Frederick.
Downtown Frederick has been the recipient of numerous awards. Most notably:
- Downtown Frederick was named a Great Place in America by the American Planning Association in 2011
- Downtown Frederick received the prestigious Great American Main Street Award in 2005 from the National Trust Main Street Center for the community’s exceptional accomplishments in revitalization
- Downtown Frederick was named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2002
FY12 Partnership Action Plan
Design Committee
- Develop/advocate for policy recommendations to incentivize additional downtown development
- Implement the Façade Improvement Program and seek new funding sources
- Participate in long-term planning for city, county and state facilities to stay downtown
- Participate in planning for the East Street Extended Area
- Support enhancements to the Downtown Frederick mobility and parking system
- Support the development of a downtown hotel/conference center
- Work with NAC 11 to address littering issues
- Support the redevelopment of the Post Office site
Economic Restructuring Committee
- Implement a business retention program
- Strengthen downtown businesses through the Competitive Edge Series
- Hold twice annual property owner outreach events
- Support the addition of live, work, performance and art space in Downtown Frederick
- Implement the Get It Downtown campaign
- Support the work of the City’s Retail Committee
- Develop strategies to address short and long term vacancies
Organization Committee
- Create and implement the funding campaign
- Help fund the Promotion Action Plan with TRIPP monies
- Hold three Progressive Dinners and a Progressive Happy Hour
- Investigate food tours as both a tourist draw and a revenue source
- Implement a comprehensive outreach strategy
- Develop and distribute an Annual Report
- Hold an Annual Recognition Event
- E-publish a newsletter
- Redesign the Partnership website to increase web traffic
Promotion Committee
- Present exciting First Saturdays each month
- Plan Frosty Friday to encourage downtown shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving
- Plan a Mayfest celebration
- Coordinate Downtown Alive @ Five during the summer months
- Hold the Great Frederick Float on July 3
- Continue to produce Downtown Frederick tear off maps
- Promote the Downtown Frederick Gift Card
Staff
Kara Norman, Executive Director
Eli Roth, Associate Director of Promotions and Development