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En Masse—flower market, flower school and design studio
downtown frederick matters to us
The Partnership staff showing their Downtown Frederick pride.
our mission is Downtown Frederick
First Saturdays are always a great time to catch up with friends
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 Business Development Committee which works to support our existing businesses and recruit new businesses where necessary, the Design Committee which focuses on the downtown streetscape, policy advocacy and long-term planning, 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
FY13 Partnership Action Plan
Business Development Committee
- Implement a business retention program
- Strengthen downtown businesses through the Competitive Edge Series
- Hold an annual property owner outreach event
- Support the addition of live, work, performance and art space in Downtown Frederick
- Implement the Get It Downtown branding campaign
- Develop strategies to address short and long term vacancies
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/East Frederick Rising 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 implement Bring a Broom Saturday
- Support the redevelopment of the Post Office site
Organization Committee
- Create and implement the funding campaign
- Hold three Progressive Dinners
- Implement a comprehensive outreach strategy
- Develop and distribute an Annual Report
- Hold an Annual Recognition Event
- Investigate a St Patrick's Day fundraiser
Promotion Committee
- Execute 14 First Saturdays events
- Plan Frosty Friday to encourage downtown shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving
- Plan a successful Mayfest celebration
- Coordinate Downtown Alive @ Five during the summer months
- Increase usage of the Downtown Frederick Gift Card
- Continue to produce Downtown Frederick tear off and kiosk maps
- Coordinate cooperative advertising opportunities
- Implement a new Halloween event
FY12 Annual Report
Each year, the Partnership's Organization Committee creates an Annual Report to summarize the organizations' accomplishments of the past year as well as to thank our investors. To see the results of FY12, please download our FY12 Annual Report.
Staff
Kara Norman, Executive Director
Eli Roth, Associate Director of Promotions and Development
Brittany Diehl, Promotion and Social Media Manager
brittany@downtownfrederick.org