Wednesday, April 20, 2016

New Funding Available to Continue City's Facade Improvement Grant Program



Business owners along the Patrick Street Corridor may benefit from new grant funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Legacy program.

DHCD awarded $100,000 to The City of Frederick to continue and expand a city-wide façade improvement grant program and to pilot a building reuse program in Downtown Frederick. 

Frederick’s program funds supports the continuation and expansion of a Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program within the Patrick Street Corridor Community. 

The Frederick Façade Improvement Project is administered jointly by the City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development and its partners - the Downtown Frederick Partnership, the Golden Mile Alliance, and East Frederick Rising.

Of the $100,000 grant award, $56,000 will be allocated to the Downtown Frederick Partnership, $22,000 to East Frederick Rising, and $22,000 to the Golden Mile Alliance.

Details on each grant opportunity is provided below:

Downtown Frederick
  • Facade Improvement Program - Eligible businesses may receive a 1:1 match on qualified exterior facade improvements up to $10,000. For details, contact the Downtown Frederick Partnership at 301-698-8118 or download the application.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
  • Mission Interior - Eligible businesses may receive a matching grant of up to $5,000 on qualified interior improvements. For details, contact the Downtown Frederick Partnership at 301-698-8118 or download the application. The deadline to apply for this program is Friday, May 18th at 5:00 PM.

East Frederick
  • Facade Improvement Program - Eligible businesses may receive a 1:1 match on qualified exterior facade improvements up to $10,000. For details, contact the Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360 or download the application.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Golden Mile
  • Facade Improvement Program - Eligible businesses may receive a 1:1 match on qualified exterior facade improvements of up to $22,000. For details, contact the Golden Mile Alliance at goldenmilealliance@gmail.com or download the application.  Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Frederick Towne Center Groundbreaking Signals Strong Retail Opportunities on The Golden Mile


A resurgence along Golden Mile is one step closer following the groundbreaking ceremony for the the Frederick Towne Center & Walmart Supercenter. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 in front of the former Bon-Ton department store and was attended by over 50 residents, business owners, and elected officials. Speakers included Mayor Randy McClement, Economic Development Director Richard Griffin, Golden Mile Alliance President Justin Kiska, Golden Mile Alliance Board Member and attorney Dave Severn, and Adam Greenberg, representing DLC Management.

Mayor McClement delivering remarks on the City's commitment to the Golden Mile. 
Redevelopment of the former Frederick Towne Mall will include retail space opportunities for up to 16 new retail and restaurant businesses. This 500,000 square foot redevelopment project will be anchored by a Walmart Supercenter alongside the existing Boscov's department store and Home Depot. Additional details on the project, including a site plan for the project, are available on DLC Management's website.

Additional investment along the Golden Mile is either underway or in the planning stages.  Construction has started for a new Wawa fueling station at the former Maryland State Police Barracks. Planned residential along the Golden Mile includes the redevelopment of the former VFW (West Park Village) and the development of Summers Farm. For a complete recap and project links, review the recap from the Golden Mile Alliance's recent Development Showcase.

To learn more about The Golden Mile and to get involved, visit the Golden Mile Alliance's website.
The Golden Mile is Frederick's original retail corridor and is currently home to over 1.6 million square feet of retail space. Following the completion of the Golden Mile Gateway and Frederick Towne Center projects, the total retail along the Golden Mile will exceed 2.3 million square feet, or nearly half of the total retail space within The City of Frederick.

For more information, facts, and demographics about the Golden Mile and other areas within The City of Frederick, review the newly released Frederick Retail Market report.

Inspiring Offices: Integrity Consulting's Modern Office Offers Downtown Convenience

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires. From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, and historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs.  

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside an inspiring office in Frederick - Integrity Consulting. Integrity's office is located in Downtown Frederick. The rehabilitated building retains its original industrial feel while providing a collaborative and efficient work environment.

Read our Q&A with Integrity Consulting's James Cox, Director of Federal Business.

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has Integrity been located here in Frederick? 
We were located Downtown in 2007, moved for a larger space, but always wanted to move back Downtown. Through the process, we found this location with easy access to all that Downtown Frederick has to offer, including close parking, food, and meeting spaces and loved the building as soon as we visited!



Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out?
The location was move in ready for our purposes. As we continue to expand our business, we hope to take on more space. 


What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
We adapted what we had in the last space and added some new items. It’s a very modern space, so we continue to look for the right items to add. 



What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
The building and entryway are very unique. We have added our own bit of flair with a dart board and corn hole games. The lower space has “open” offices which allow for collaboration as that is one of our key selling points. 






What do you or your employees like best about the office space? 
Location, location, location! Close to home, close to Downtown, and nice big open work space with plenty of light!



Integrity's Core Values of passion, trust, service, respect, honesty, fun, and INTEGRITY shine through in their work space.

Friday, April 15, 2016

This Week On Carroll Creek - April 20, 2016

The last few bricks are being laid, trees are being planted, and sod put into place. Benches, lighting, and trash receptacles are being positioned and secured for the final section of Carroll Creek Park's Grand Opening event on May 19, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Plan to attend the festivities, and continue the celebration at Downtown Frederick Partnership's Alive@5 event on the creek at the Amphitheater after the Grand Opening. The event program will gain you complimentary entrance to Alive@5.  

Here are a few pictures showing some of the final touches falling into place along the newest section of Carroll Creek Park. 
  
 Sand gets brushed between bricks and pavers.
Trees, ground cover, and plants will provide shade and color in years to come.
New windows and brick tuckpointing are the focus at the Union Mills building adjacent to the creek. This building joins other revitalization projects on the East side and along Carroll Creek: Monocacy Valley Canning building and the Visit Frederick building along East Street.