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Newsletter
Current Issue: November 2010
Downtown Frederick is shining bright again thanks to more national accolades and an overwhelming response to the Holiday Lights campaign.
The American Planning Association named Downtown Frederick one of the Top 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2010, calling it “an urban montage, seamlessly blending old and new.” The APA evaluated Downtown Frederick’s three essential components—streets, neighborhoods and public spaces—and applauded the City’s decades-long commitment to effective planning that helped create its lasting value, especially after the devastating floods of the 1970s.
Downtown Frederick joins a prestigious list of other 2010 APA winners, including Boston’s Back Bay, the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic Neighborhood in Oak Park, Ill., and Lower Downtown (LoDo) in Denver. For the complete list of Great Neighborhoods, visit the APA website at www.planning.org/greatplaces.
With the APA award, Downtown Frederick finds itself in the national spotlight once again, much as it was after being named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2002 and a Great American Main Street Community in 2005.
And thanks to an overwhelming response to the Holiday Lights campaign, Downtown Frederick can literally bask in the glow of these tributes. Nearly 600 individuals and businesses donated to the campaign to replace the tree lights that were damaged during last year’s snow storms. Thanks to their generosity, the campaign far exceeded its original goal of $32,000, garnering more than $53,000. The excess funds will be put in reserve to offset future replacement costs.
Stringing of the lights has begun along Market and Patrick streets, as well as along portions of Carroll Creek, which will be lit for the first time. The lights should be on and glowing in time for the Thanksgiving holidays.
Local artist Rebecca Pearl has created an original work that will be raffled off with all donors to the Holiday Lights campaign entered for a chance to win. Those who donated $120 or more will receive a print of the artwork.
A complete list of all those who donated to the Holiday Lights project is available by clicking here.
Frederick Festival of the Greens
The Third Annual Frederick Festival of Greens is looking for local artists, businesses, school groups, community organizations, and residents to help dress up downtown this holiday season with their own unique take on holiday wreaths and trees. Last year, 78 decorated and themed wreaths and trees ranging from the fancy to funky were created and displayed before being auctioned off to raise more than $2,500 to support the arts in Frederick County.
The wreaths and trees can be created from various materials. There is no fee to participate, however artists must provide their own supplies and materials. Businesses are encouraged to promote their companies by using materials that represent their industry or products. All participants will be publicly recognized and be eligible to win several prizes.
Wreaths and trees must be brought to the Cultural Arts Center by Nov. 19. The creations will be on display as part of the Festival of Greens activities at the Cultural Arts Center from Nov. 26 through Dec. 5. They will be auctioned off during a silent auction on Sunday, Dec. 5, with bidding closing at 5 p.m. that day.
In addition to showcasing the wreath and tree creations, the week-long Frederick Festival of Greens also includes a holiday production by the Fredericktowne Players, two holiday artist markets, Celebrate Frederick’s annual Scents and Sweets event, a children’s holiday market sponsored by Dancing Bear Toys, and two cookbook author events.
For more information on the Festival of Greens, contact the Frederick Arts Council at 301-662-4190 or visit www.frederickartscouncil.org.
As an architect, Michael Proffitt knows the importance of a strong foundation. So it should come as no surprise that he is a big supporter of Downtown Frederick Partnership.
His father, Landon Proffitt, established his architectural firm, Proffitt & Associates, in Downtown Frederick in 1973 and Michael joined him four years later after graduating from Virginia Tech. In the three-plus decades since, Proffitt & Associates has had four different locations downtown, all within a block and a half of Market Street.
Landon Proffitt was active in early efforts to revitalize downtown and it wasn’t long before his son followed in his footsteps. Michael shared his time and talents as president of the Greater Frederick Development Corporation (the predecessor to Downtown Frederick Partnership) from 2001 to 2003 and today his business is a member of The Partnership Club, having made a three-year commitment to invest $1,500 or more annually in the organization.
By sharing his wealth and wisdom with Downtown Frederick Partnership, Proffitt has contributed to the solid foundation on which Downtown Frederick has built its award-winning reputation.
“Downtown is a really important thing for me,” he explains. “I feel like I am witnessing what we always thought the potential of Downtown Frederick could be.”
Yet he still believes much more is possible. “We’ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” he says, citing the untapped potential that could come from making better use of the second and third floors of many downtown buildings. “It’s almost as if it is unfolding like an opening flower,” he says. “And to be a part of that is really special.”