Downtown Development

Downtown Frederick is hopping – development along Carroll Creek continues to see significant progress and new developments are planned in SoMa (the South Market area), the North Market area and along East Street.   The following list provides an update of activities underway along and beyond the creek. 

Here’s the latest on key projects featured in the latest issue of the Partnership Press.  

Frederick News-Post Building (200 E. Patrick Street): With the move to its new facility off Ballenger Creek Pike nearly complete, the Frederick News Post building on East Patrick Street is available for lease or purchase.  The roughly 25,000 square foot building is situated on an L-shaped lot that offers substantial Carroll Creek frontage.  A study was conducted earlier this year on ways in which the historic portion of the building can be adapted for re-use.  Those interested in learning more about leasing the building should contact Chrisse Hassett at Clagett Enterprises (301-695-6676).  Potential buyers should contact Jim Mackintosh at Mackintosh Realtors (240-529-0101). 

North Market Revitalization:  The Hope VI project, also known as North Market Revitalization, expects to begin demolition of the former police community center at 615 N. Market later this month to make way for a new street through the area that will be named after Lord Nickens, the 95-year-old Frederick resident who was the longest-serving president of the Frederick chapter of the NAACP.   Infrastructure improvements are slated to begin soon after, followed by the construction of a new 10,800 square foot community center, named after Frederick historian William O. Lee.  The center will include two Head Start classrooms, meeting rooms and an employment incubator that will feature an on-site bakery and will teach young people hospitality industry skills to serve Frederick’s growing restaurant scene. Construction of the 97 housing units will follow soon after.

Union Mills (340 E. Patrick Street)  Expect to see activity increasing on the Union Mills site on Carroll Creek.  Plans call for an adaptive use of the existing three-story 64,000 square foot brick building that will result in a mixed-use project featuring new retail shops and restaurants on the first floor.  Current design plans by the project's architects, GTM Group of Bethesda, call for the building to maintain its original historic flavor but also include the addition of a main entrance off of Carroll Creek.   Active work on the building is estimated to begin in the fall. The Douglas Development Group is the project's main developer, with Morgan Keller serving as the general contractor.   The same group of architects, contractors and developers also is moving forward with plans for the old McHenry Auto Parts site, where there will be a five-story, 105,000 square foot mixed-use building to anchor the new East Street gateway into downtown.  Work on the building, whose design will blend with the historic character of Downtown Frederick, is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2009.

The following list provides information about ongoing downtown improvements.  The information below is updated on a quarterly basis.

Cannon Hill Office Building (35 E. South Street):  

Regent Educational Software moved into the building in July and occupies approximately 3/4 of the total space.  The property is being converted into an office condominium and a buyer is lined up for the remaining space.  Plans call for them to occupy that space by February 2008.

Carmack Jay’s (331 N. Market): Marketing efforts aimed at recruiting a new tenant to this site continue.  The 20,000 square foot building recently was renovated for more than $1 million and remains vacant at this time.  The City of Frederick’s Economic Development Department and Downtown Frederick Partnership continue to work with the site’s owners, Douglas Development Corporation, to find a suitable tenant for the site.

Carroll Creek Public Improvements (from the Delaplaine VAEC east to Patrick Street and from Court Street to Bentz Street): 

The City of Frederick continues to move forward with the design for the remainder of Carroll Creek Park. It is anticipated that the award of the construction bid will occur in late 2008, with the completion of the park anticipated for late 2009. The City was recently awarded a $3M Maryland Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) Grant. Currently, the project is in the State review process.

Creekside Plaza (along Carroll Creek between Market and Court Streets): Four residential condos remain for sale in the $14 million, 93,000 square foot building that includes 45,000 square feet of office space, 15,000 square feet of commercial space and 11 housing units.  New tenants, including The Greene Turtle, Wachovia Bank and Warner Construction, are open for business now. 

East Street Extended:  Construction on the extension of East Street to I-70 continues, expected completion in early 2009.  When finished, East Street will be the new exit and gateway to Downtown from I-70.

E. Fifth Street: The Parker Alexander Group is redeveloping the properties at 420, 424 and 426 North Market Street as well as the property at 26 E. Fifth St.  Renovations have restored many of the buildings’ historic features while also adding numerous modern amenities such as luxury baths and kitchens.

Frederick Brick Works (South of South Street): Frederick Brick Works received submissions from eight development teams interested in the mixed-use development project along the East Street Extension commonly referred to as the new entrance into the City of Frederick.  Members of the selection committee have reviewed the submissions and made recommendations to the board of the Frederick Brick Works based on their team's vision for the project and their qualifications to bring the project to fruition.

The Galleria (along Carroll Creek between Carroll and East Streets):  Carroll Creek Galleria LLC, a Wormald Company, plans to develop 34,000 SF of commercial space, 127 housing units and 550 parking spaces on the site which is between the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Carroll Creek Park and the MARC Train Station.  The project has received HPC and Planning Commission approvals.  Construction by the City of Frederick of 400 of the parking spaces is planned to begin early 2008.  The construction start for the balance of the project is anticipated to begin in 2009.

Homes at Market Square (corner of E. South and S. Market Streets):  Of the 14 total units available in this historic restoration and new construction project, only two townhouses and two condo flats remain available for sale or lease.  They feature natural cherry cabinets, granite countertops, gas fireplaces and covered on-site off-street parking and are just one and half blocks off the Creek.  

Lafayette Square (corner of Market and All Saints Streets):  The building’s 25 residential units are completely sold out with most residents moved in and settled. Four of the building’s commercial units remain available for lease, including: 2 W. All Saints (468 square feet); 101 S. Market (1,000 square feet); 105 S. Market (300 square feet); and107 S. Market (440 square feet).   Visit www.lafayette-sq.com for more details.

Maxwell Place (along Carroll Creek between Market and Carroll Streets):  The majority of the condos in Maxwell Place have been sold. 

Maxwell Square: The Churchill Group has built four of the 49 all-brick townhomes planned for the corner of East Fifth Street and Maxwell Square on North Market Street.  One unit has sold, with the remaining three – including the model – still available.  The sales office is located at 30 E. 5th St. and is open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and from 10 am to 6 pm Thursdays through Sundays as well as Tuesdays.  For more information, please call 301-620-8720.

McCutcheon’s (13 S. Wisner Street):  McCutcheon’s has released architectural renderings for its McCutcheon’s Mill project on Carroll Creek. With an addition to the company’s existing facility on South Wisner Street, the completed  project will offer 34,000 square feet of interior space, 7,400 square feet of community and leased outdoor space, and covered ground-level parking. The addition will house McCutcheon's factory store as well as restaurants with outdoor dining. Plans call for the building to front Carroll Creek Linear Park and feature a working water wheel and a five- story observation tower. The project is in the site plan permitting stage with the City of Frederick. Construction is slated to begin in Summer/Fall 2008.

One Commerce Plaza (along East Street between All Saints and Commerce):  MacRo Ltd. and Main Street Development plan to develop a 114,000 square foot building with office condominiums, a conference and banquet center and ground floor retail opportunities.  Delivery is expected to occur within the next two years.  The project has final site plan approval and a complete water allocation.

Parking Garage #5 (near Carroll Creek, S. Carroll Street and E. All Saints Street): The City currently is accepting bids for the construction of parking garage #5.  The new garage will provide about 400 public spaces.  The project will begin immediately following contract award.  Construction is expected to begin April 2008 and be completed by the summer of 2009.

Parking Garage #6 (near East and South Streets): The City is currently seeking proposals from qualified full service architecturall/engineering design teams for the purpose of designing Phase I & II of a new garage.  Design will begin following contract award.  Construction is expected to bid in November 2008.  Construction will begin in early 2009 and end in the summer of 2010.

Site C-2:  The City of Frederick Department of Parks and Recreation is moving forward with the design of a structure to be located behind the Carroll Creek Amphitheater. Plans include public restrooms, park maintenance storage and an outdoor plaza area. The exact timing for the construction bid, construction and completion are yet to be decided.

Site E: The surface parking lot for the MARC Rail Station also is identified as the location of multi-modal center that will include residential, retail, service and parking uses.

Site G (near East and South Streets): The Board of Education conditionally awarded a design/build contract to a local firm - Warner Construction - on September 12, 2007.   The conditional approval related to securing financing for the project.  On November 14, 2007, the Board of Education accepted the low bid for financing from SunTrust Bank for a total of $16.7 million with a 25 year lease back.  The Board of Education settled on the property with the City of Frederick in late December.  The BoE then will enter into a ground lease with SunTrust.  A notice to proceed for the design process will occur in late December/early January.

The Tourism Council of Frederick County is planning to begin the rehabilitation of an old brick warehouse into the new Frederick Visitor Center this summer.  The 6,400 square foot facitily stands at the corner of Commerce and S. East Streets and will feature exhibits and an orientation film theater in addition to brochures and a welcome desk.  The location places the Visitor Center along the new gateway in Downtown Frederick from I-70 and abutting the parking deck planned for Site G.  Completion is expected in time for the 2009 opening of the East Street extension.

Site H (near East and South Streets):  Developer Bert Anderson is currently working on the site plan for the property and presented his design to the Planning Commission in December.  

Site I (SE Corner of Patrick and East Streets): Demolition of the old McHenry’s building was completed earlier this year and Morgan Keller is beginning work on preconstruction drawings for the project that is slated to include approximately 50,000 square feet of space with underground parking. 

South Market and Carroll Creek: KLNB Commercial Real Estate Services is marketing the properties located generally between Carroll Creek and All Saints Street on the east side of South Market. The properties feature creek frontage and six commercial spaces ranging in size from 1,941 square feet to 5,657 square feet.  For more information, please contact Phil Ruxton at pruxton@klnb.com. 

South Market Center (along Carroll Creek between Market and Carroll Streets): The South Market Center was the winner of the Maryland - DC National Association of Industrial and Office Properties 2007 Award of Excellence for Best Urban Business District Office (one to four stories).  The mixed-use building has 43,000 square feet of office and retail space and the majority of the office suites are occupied, with only one office space remaining available for lease.  The waterfront retail level on Carroll Creek features Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Hinode Japanese Restaurant, with La Dolce Vita Café slated to open by year's end.  Only one prime restaurant/retail space with outdoor patio seating remains. Contact Mary Ford-Naill at MacRo, Ltd. for leasing information or visit www.macroltd.com for details.

West Patrick Street Parking Deck (140 W Patrick):  Construction is complete and the North Office Tower is open and available for evening meetings for groups such as the Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Advisory Councils.  The deck’s South Office Tower space houses the Community Services Division of the Frederick Police Department, which relocated from 615 N. Market.  

Please visit the City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development website for more details.