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.
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
Our Policy Statements
Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to advocating for projects and policies which encourage the healthy growth and economic development of Downtown Frederick.
- Diversity in Downtown Frederick: Downtown Frederick Partnership condemns racism and injustice. The organization is committed to creating an atmosphere that doesn’t just accept diversity, but demands it, to promoting and supporting the diverse-owned businesses and residents which call Downtown Frederick home, and to making our community a more inclusive place. Download our full Policy Statement here. In 2020, the Partnership began a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion outreach effort guided by Dr. Denise Rollins with The Whole Heart Center. This effort started with 9 focus groups and included a community survey conducted in July 2021. The results of this initial outreach effort are summarized in the document linked here. The Partnership is very encouraged by the number of people who participated in the focus groups and survey, offering honest feedback about their experiences in Downtown Frederick. The input received to date provides a road map for the Partnership to both take on new projects and continue to learn more. The Partnership looks forward to hearing from and partnering with community members – both new and old to the organization. If you are interested in getting involved in these efforts, please reach out to the Partnership at mainstreet@downtownfrederick.
org or call the office at 301.698.8118. - Partnership Board Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Policy: The Partnership Board of Directors strives to reflect the diversity of Downtown Frederick, provide an inclusive environment that encourages discussion and seeks to achieve equity in our work. Working towards these goals provides the Partnership with a greater understanding of Downtown Frederick; bringing additional perspectives, needs, feedback and priorities to board discussions. Download our full Policy Statement here.
- Redevelopment of the Post Office Site: Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to advocating for the redevelopment of the Post Office site. Redevelopment would include retaining the retail post office either on site or in close proximity and relocating the remaining uses. Download our full Policy Statement here.
- Locate Government in Downtown Frederick: Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to working with the City, County, State and Federal governments to locate significant government functions in Downtown Frederick. Download our full Policy Statement here.
- Preferred Site for the Police Headquarters: Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to working with the City of Frederick to retain the City Police Headquarters in Downtown Frederick. Download our full Policy Statement here.
- Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries: Downtown Frederick Partnership supports allowing live entertainment at Downtown Frederick breweries, distilleries and wineries. The Partnership believes the best method to achieve this goal is to allow the craft beverage community to offer entertainment by seeking conditional use approval. Download our full Policy Statement here.
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Increase MARC Train Service to Downtown Frederick: Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to achieving increased MARC train service to Downtown Frederick. As part of this policy, the Partnership supports building a new Point of Rocks Station platform to increase weekday MARC service to Downtown Frederick. Download our full Policy Statement here.
Our Strategic Plan
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OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Downtown Frederick Partnership has an exciting vision for 2020: Live, Work, Stay, Play, and Connect Downtown.
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LIVE Downtown
Welcome 335 new residents by 2020. Cost: $75,000 to build consensus on legislative changes, make the case for more residents downtown and market downtown as a great place to live.
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WORK Downtown
Add 200 new jobs and maintain 3,200 public sector employees in Downtown Frederick. Cost: $10,000 to recruit more tech jobs.
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STAY Downtown
Add 200+ overnight rooms by advocating for a downtown hotel. Cost for Partnership staff is absorbed into the operating budget.
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PLAY Downtown
Bring more people to shop, eat and experience Downtown Frederick. Cost: $24,000 for improving downtown as a destination.
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CONNECT Downtown
Take action on underutilized sites and connect downtown neighborhoods. Cost: $35,000 for a community workshop to look at the potential of the post office site and to complete five connector projects.
Our Committees
Working with business and community leaders, the Partnership fully embraces the Main Street Program and oversees the work of four active committees. Each committee consists of a group of volunteers who attend monthly committee meetings, follow up on assigned tasks, assist with the implementation of action plans and participate in events. To learn more about volunteering on a committee, email Leeann Crews at leeann@downtownfrederick.org.
- Business Development Committee: works to support our existing businesses and recruit new businesses where necessary
- Design Committee: focuses on the downtown streetscape, policy advocacy and long-term planning
- Organization Committee: raises funds as well as recruits and thanks volunteers
- Promotion Committee: promotes and brands Downtown Frederick
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Our Year in Review
Each year, the Partnership’s Organization Committee creates an Annual Report to summarize the Partnerships’ accomplishments of the past year as well as to thank our investors. To see the results of FY22 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022), please download our FY22 Annual Report.
Our Staff
Kara Norman, Executive Director | kara@downtownfrederick.org
Leeann Crews, Associate Director | leeann@downtownfrederick.org
Jade Dunhour, Events & Promotion Manager | jade@downtownfrederick.org
Christine Van Bloem, Marketing Manager | christine@downtownfrederick.org