Historic District Guides
Thank you for calling Downtown Frederick home! By choosing to live here, you are a key part of keeping our city’s historic buildings great.
Whether you’re a home owner, renter, business owner or simply someone who loves Downtown Frederick, you understand that this city’s wealth of historic buildings is what sets our community apart. To help answer some of the most common questions about the historic district, the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission and Downtown Frederick Partnership have created a series of general guides for residents, merchants and contractors who live and work here.
While these guides tackle many of the basics, we know that each project is unique. If you ever have questions, the City of Frederick Planning staff is always happy to help! The City strives to safeguard its historical and cultural heritage through the preservation of historic sites, structures and districts. We are thankful for the participation of the community in helping us preserve and protect our historic city.
Before starting your next project, take a few minutes to review the Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines. Visit bit.ly/freddesign for the complete guidelines, or contact us for more information.
PHONE: 301.600.1499 EMAIL: preservation@cityoffrederick.com
- Download Downtown Frederick Residents Historic District Guide
- Download Downtown Frederick Contractors Historic District Guide
- Download Downtown Frederick Merchants Historic District Guide
Neighborhood Advisory Council
The Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) is a forum for residents to become involved in identifying and recommending positive changes to improve their neighborhoods by enhancing communications with elected officials. It is the goal of the elected officials to work with residents to understand and address the issues that impact the quality of life in neighborhoods.
- Downtown Frederick residents are represented by NAC 11
- NAC 11 meets the third Tuesday of each month
- For more info contact Gayon Sampson at 301.600.2513 or gsampson@cityoffrederickmd.gov.
Frederick Tree Guide
Looking to plant a tree in Downtown Frederick? The City of Frederick has created a Tree Guide to help you choose your trees, walk you through the planting process and give you tips on how to care for your trees. If you have any further questions, please email them to sustainability@cityoffrederickmd.gov.
Downtown Resident Parking
With a valid residential permit you can park along your street, any day of the week, without further charge for up to 48 hours. However, you must still adhere to the restrictions for sweeping and trash pickup night, as posted for each street. There are two types of Residential Parking Permits: Metered and Non-Metered.
Residential Metered Parking Permits allow you to park along eligible streets (listed on parkfrederick.org). Non-Metered permits allow you to park along only those streets that are not controlled by parking meters. If there are meters on your block, you may apply for either type of permit. Learn more about parking in Downtown Frederick at parkfrederick.org.
Residential Trash Pick-up
All residential trash throughout the City of Frederick is collected through either automated (mechanical arm) or rear load (manual) trash collection.
- If your area is serviced by Rear Load Trash Collection, no special arrangements are necessary. Simply set your trash out to be collected once per week. Trash should be set out after 5pm and before 12 midnight on the evening preceding your collection day. To determine your collection day click here.
- For Automated Trash Collection, City issued trash carts only are accepted. Place carts as close as possible to the public street with metal bar facing toward the street so that the lid opens toward the street. Place no closer than three feet from any obstruction.
Collections are suspended on all holidays the City observes. If your collection day coincides with one of these holidays please put your trash out for collection on the next business day. Each residence may set out up to 180 gallons of refuse per collection, both trash cans and trash bags may be used. For more information about residential trash pick-up, contact the City Sanitation Department at 301.600.1377.
Local Resources
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Hear What it’s Like to Live in Downtown Frederick
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A Guide To Your Family Day in Downtown Frederick!
Your Family Itinerary Can you feel it?! The weather is getting chillier, the leaves are starting to fall, and pumpkin spice has officially made its seasonal debut. After a summer spent inside, we have some great ideas for safely spending this fall season out and about with your family. Time spent with family is time well spent! From our residents to our businesses and visitors, Downtown Frederick is a destination for all kinds of families and we couldn’t be more proud. This guide provides a full list of ways to explore and enjoy Downtown Frederick as a family. As you venture downtown, please be sure to wear your mask and stay at least six feet away from those not in your direct household. For families with younger kids: Take a walk down Carroll Creek Fish, and flowers, and water, oh my! Take a relaxing walk down this beautiful and functional creek to observe the different animals and flowers that call it home. Depending on the time of year you are exploring, you will also be able to admire incredible sculptures or illuminated boats to make this mile and a half long stretch that much more magical. Grab a scoop (or […]
About the Artists – Downtown Gallery Tour
We have spent the last couple of weeks exploring the galleries downtown and the unmatched art displayed on their walls. We hope you’ve enjoyed the expressive art on the walls of Downtown Frederick as much as we have. We’re excited to take you even further into the lives of the artists that generously share their talent with our community. This week, we are introducing the artists that dedicate their lives to creating a world for people like me and you to escape to. Each day, we will highlight artists from a different gallery on the tour so check in daily to discover the artists found on our Downtown Gallery Tour. Eastside Artists’ Gallery 313 E Patrick St To highlight the artists that can be found on this tour, we have started at Eastside Artists’ Gallery. This gallery is a co-op of local artists to Frederick. The artists here come from all different artistry backgrounds that join together for a beautiful display of talent and passion for their work. Mary Paul Barnaby Mary Paul Barnaby is a photographer and a painter. Retiring from the Air Force, she finally settled down in Frederick, Maryland after a lifetime of travel and adventure. She […]
Living in Downtown Frederick
The friendly faces, lively spaces and sense of community in Downtown Frederick make it much more than a destination – it’s our home. We’re fortunate to live in a community full of great people, focused on making each day better than the last. Downtown Frederick Partnership is focused on improving quality of life downtown. Each year, the Partnership tackles strategic initiatives to make living downtown easier and better. By choosing to live here, our residents are a key part of keeping our city’s historic buildings great. Whether you’re a home owner, renter, business owner or simply someone who loves Downtown Frederick, you understand that this city’s wealth of historic buildings is what sets our community apart. To help answer some of the most common questions about making building changes in the historic district, the City of Frederick Historic Preservation staff planners and Downtown Frederick Partnership created a series of general guides for residents, merchants and contractors who live and work here to help guide these groups through the process of improving our historic buildings. The Partnership is committed to reimagining and advancing our community to welcome more residents to our downtown. Over the course of the last 30 years, the […]
Cultivating Community in Downtown Frederick
The Partnership cultivates community – through events, experiences, and the work we do each day, to bring an opportunity for all to connect, engage, make memories and celebrate what makes us each unique. Community engagement and the momentum generated by placemaking is essential in generating longer-term positive economic outcomes and the Partnership is committed to making Downtown Frederick a continually successful place. Downtown Frederick Partnership’s Alive @ Five event is not only our organization’s largest fundraising event, it also provides an opportunity for our business and resident communities to intermingle, while listening to bands they may have never heard before. Music brings the community together and, with 21 events each year, the Partnership is able to offer a variety of bands from different genres and backgrounds. Bands are selected by an Alive @ Five selection committee, representing a wide variety of backgrounds and people who all love music. Continuing to activate the creek, Movie Night on Carroll Creek is a free, family-friendly event the Partnership launched in 2014. Keeping this event free and open to the public was a priority of the organization, and each year the event has been supported by great community partners who believe in offering programming […]
Destination Downtown
Have you heard of the term “third place?” For most, a third place is the place between home (first) and work (second). In his influential book The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg argues that third places are important for civil society, democracy, civic engagement and establishing feelings of a sense of place. According to Project for Public Spaces, there will never be a time when the work of establishing a third place is done. “Real-world communities are incredibly dynamic, ever-changing things. A public space cannot be finished any more than the city in which it resides can be. At their best, public spaces are the most tangible reflections of cities and neighborhoods and the people who make them special. They are stages for public life, and should reflect the people who live, work, and play nearby.” The Partnership recognizes that Downtown Frederick is a third place for many. For some, it’s our first, second and third places and we strive each day to make Downtown Frederick a destination and home for all in our community. Over the last 30 years, the Partnership has been continually striving to make Downtown Frederick not only a third place but your favorite third place. […]
Art on Main: Virtual Tile Project
Art on Main We have a virtual art project for our community… all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate! Download your flower template from downtownfrederick.org/artonmain and get creative. More about the Art on Main project: This fall, the five Main Street communities of Frederick County — Brunswick Main Street, Main Street Thurmont, Middletown Main Street, Town of New Market and Downtown Frederick Partnership — will be installing temporary public art sculptures in each of our downtowns. The sculptures will be composed of brightly glazed mosaic tile designs and will be in place for one year. To help decorate our sculpture, we’re looking for 60 community members to draw their own unique flower designs between now and June 27. Sculpture artist Parran Collery will then translate these designs into tiles and incorporate them in the final piece. Learn more at downtownfrederick.org/artonmain
Unprecedented Times Mean You Have an Opportunity for Impact
Unprecedented Times Mean You Have an Opportunity for Impact Unprecedented times call on each and every one of us to support our local community. By following social distancing guidance, we can each do our part in flattening the curve, keeping others safe and preventing our critical healthcare facilities from being overwhelmed. While we’re all in this together, at times of crisis, those things we hold dear are always first in our thoughts. Friends and family. Places we love. I have had the good fortune to work for Downtown Frederick Partnership for more than 15 years. For those less familiar with the organization, the Partnership works year-round to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality and livability of Downtown Frederick. I am personally and professionally vested in this community. When I think about what I hold dear, Downtown Frederick is at the top of my list. I value Downtown Frederick as the place I go to mark life’s milestones, the place where the downtown businesses are made up of not only people I work with but also my friends, the place where I can find things that exist nowhere else in this world and the place where I feel at home. This past […]
Spring Event Changes in Downtown Frederick
With Governor Hogan’s executive order prohibiting gatherings of 50+ people (changed to 10+ people on March 19) and the recent announcement from CDC recommending the cancellation of these events over the next 8 weeks, Downtown Frederick Partnership has made the following changes to our upcoming spring events. These decisions are not taken lightly as we understand the impact on our downtown community.The safety of Downtown Frederick’s residents, workers and visitors is of the utmost importance to Downtown Frederick Partnership. The first priority for everyone is to take appropriate steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure our entire community remains healthy.As an organization that is grounded in a love for our local community, we encourage you all to look for ways where you can help to safely support each other in these troubling times. Photo used in this post taken by Bill Adkins. April First Saturday & May First Saturday (Mayfest)EVENTS CANCELLED — originally scheduled for April 4 & May 2. Currently, many Downtown Frederick businesses remain open daily, and are taking extra steps to ensure their spaces are clean and safe for customers. Support small businesses remotely, even if you cannot visit them physically. Visit downtownfrederick.org/covid-19 to learn how.Bring a Broom SaturdayEVENT CANCELLED — originally scheduled for April 25. The Partnership […]
Redevelopment of Historic Whitehill’s Row in Downtown Frederick
What appears to be an inconspicuous row of three-story homes nestled along B&O Ave, is actually an exciting redevelopment project for the southeast corner of Downtown Frederick, Maryland. Originally built by Frederick businessman James Whitehill in 1858, the block of homes sit adjacent to the MARC train Brunswick Line, which offers weekday commuter service between Frederick and Washington D.C. For many years, the buildings were left largely unmodernized and, most recently, served as residentail rental units. However, in 2018, Frederick County natives Michael Gordon and David Bauer purchased the properties and have been busy rehabilitating the units into modernized four-bedroom, three-bathroom homes. After more than a year of painstaking renovations, the rewards of Bauer and Gordon’s investment are obvious. Each home features four levels of living space – from a fully renovated walkout basement level all the way to the third floor bedrooms – they left no detail unfinished. During a property tour with Bauer, he pointed out the many historic features they were careful to retain in the finished design, including the 34 windows across the front façade, which are all original to the building. The Partnership is featuring this project as an example of the exciting redevelopment projects […]
Historic Charm and Modern Convenience in Downtown Frederick
In August 2017, a fire tore through the seven apartment units that occupied 126 S Market St, leaving the building uninhabitable and with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. After a painstaking rehabilitation by new owners Ingrid Smith and Gerardo Lapetina, the building is set to welcome new occupants as early as January 1, 2020. Now home to five completely new, luxury 1-bedroom apartments in the heart of Downtown Frederick, 126 S Market St is full of historic charm and character blended with modern convenience and aesthetics. The apartments have been thoughtfully designed, featuring beautiful custom kitchens with European appliances and granite countertops, sleek and spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers, new hardwood floors throughout, in-unit washer and dryers, digital thermostats and new HVAC, tank-less water heaters, keyless entry and ample storage. Each unit has its own unique layout and highlights many of the building’s original architectural features. The builders were careful to reuse elements from the the fire-ravaged building whenever possible — such as the reclaimed wood that makes up banisters, countertops and shelving throughout each unit. All five units are available for rent beginning January 1 or earlier, with rates from $1500-$2000 per month. Pets are negotiable […]
Resources for Individuals in Need or Experiencing Homelessness
Find a free meal, a warm bed and additional help when it’s most needed. Downtown Frederick Partnership and the Frederick Police Department have partnered to create an easy to use pamphlet that provides information on services in Frederick for those in need or experiencing homelessness. The pamphlet includes information on where to find food, shelter, showers, restrooms, health and mental health, employment and legal, and other general outreach services. Pick up a copy at any downtown business, the Partnership office, the Frederick Police Department, or download a copy online at downtownfrederick.org/resources-in-frederick. In the event of a severe or life threatening emergency, call 911. For a non life threatening situation, call the Frederick Police Department at 301.600.2102 If you see a person experiencing a crisis, please call: 211 Maryland– 211 Maryland Crisis Hotline – 1.800.422.0009 National Suicide Hotline– 1.800.273.8255 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1.800.799.7233
Weeknight Events for Downtown Frederick Locals
It’s no secret that — between all of our special events, incredible shopping and dining, and more craft beverage offerings than anywhere in a 40 mile radius — Downtown Frederick is always busy on the weekends. But what’s going on in the middle of the week? Here’s a little roundup of some post-work fun you can find Monday through Thursday (plus a bonus Friday event) in Downtown Frederick! MONDAYS Cookbook Club (First Monday of each month) from 6-8pm at Relish Décor (38 E Patrick St) Baking Book Club (Third Monday of each month) from 6-8pm at Relish Décor (38 E Patrick St) Monday Brunch and all-day Happy Hour at White Rabbit Gastropub (18 Market Space) Trivia Night starting at 7pm at Bushwaller’s (209 N Market St) Trivia Night starting at 6:30pm at Rockwell Brewery (880 N East St) Kids Build Your Own Pizza night from 4-9pm at Pretzel & Pizza Creations (210 N Market St) Open Mic Night starting at 9pm at Cafe Nola (4 E Patrick St) TUESDAYS Live music from 7-9pm at Olde Mother Brewing (526 N Market St) Curious Iguana’s About Town book club meets monthly on Tuesdays at 7pm, locations vary Open Mic Night at Rockwell […]
Five Hashtags You Should Be Following in #DowntownFrederick
1. #getitdowntown Businesses and restaurants all over Downtown Frederick want YOU to come and #getitdowntown. This hashtag is overflowing with the most amazing photos of buildings, food, and specialties at almost anywhere you can think of. That’s why we love this hashtag for when we’re looking for something to do, buy, or eat. One photo we enjoy is this cheery display located inside of The Muse. 2. #frederickfoodie Hungry in Frederick? You won’t be after checking out the hashtag #frederickfoodie. Instagram food bloggers have taken over this hashtag with photos of everything to fancy cocktails to juicy steaks and everything in between. And the best part? You can find all these foods in Downtown Frederick. Some of our favorites include this avocado toast from White Rabbit Gastro Pub. 3. #fredlandia Portlandia, starring SNL’s Fred Armison, is a witty comedy that takes viewers through the streets of one of the most hipster cities in America: Portland, Oregon. However, Instagram user @fredlandia_1 transformed our own Downtown Frederick into what she likes to call “Fredlandia.” On this hashtag, you can find some of the most intimate, yet routine views of Downtown Frederick that many of us take for granted. We particularly love this […]
Loft Style Living in Downtown Frederick
Ever wanted to live in the heart of Downtown Frederick? You could grab a cup of coffee at Beans and Bagels before heading to work. Enjoy happy hour at the Tasting Room after a long day at the office. Walk your dog along Carroll Creek anytime you wanted. Ahhh… now that’s livin’. For anyone who has been longing for that downtown lifestyle, construction on the Kemp Hall Lofts & Studios is rounding the finish line at the intersection of Church & Market Streets. We were recently given a chance to poke around these amazing rentals and all we can say is, “Wow!” Whether you’re looking for a small studio, a loft, or even something with a private balcony for those amazing sunsets overlooking the place we like to call home. Does the history of Frederick also interest you? By living in these new apartments, you’ll get to be a part of history yourself. Kemp Hall was a key site during the Civil War, where Maryland legislators met on an April morning to decide whether or not secession from the Union would be necessary. In Kemp Hall, the City of Frederick was also named the capital of the Maryland for one […]
Downtown Frederick Businesses Helping Those Affected by the Government Shutdown
With the federal government being shut down for over a month now, small businesses around Downtown Frederick are offering certain promotions to those government workers who have been affected. See the list of offerings by businesses below! Community Produce Market The community produce market supported by Hungry Harvest is available all year long (not just during the shutdown) but we wanted to make sure to include it here since it’s such a great deal! Produce in a SNAP offers $7 bags of produce from 3-6PM every Wednesday at the Y Teaching Kitchen (629 N Market St). No special ID required. Just show up and claim your bag. Frederick Coin Exchange Beginning on January 16, The Frederick Coin Exchange is offering to buy your old, broken or unwanted gold jewelry at special dealer rates! Just show your government ID before the furlough ends to secure your rate. The Temple The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School is offering special deals on hair care and cuts until January 26th. All federal government employees with a valid I.D. can receive a $5 blow-dry or haircut, 25% off all take-home products, and 50% off color and highlighting services. McClintock Distilling […]
Addressing Fire Risks in Downtown Frederick
In January 2019, Downtown Frederick Partnership announced two new grant programs to address the risk of fire in historic buildings – the Downtown Frederick Fire Suppression Incentive Program and the Attic Fire Separation Program. As an outgrowth of the Partnership’s 2020 Strategic Plan and the Live Downtown Frederick goal of welcoming 335 new residents to Downtown Frederick by 2020, these programs are some of the first of their kind to address the known risk of fire damage in historic downtown environments. * 2020 Update: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, untapped funds from the Attic Fire Separation Program were transitioned to support increased demand for the Partnership’s Mission: Interior grant program, funding interior building improvements for downtown businesses. Learn more about the 2020 Mission: Interior awards here. The Downtown Frederick Fire Suppression Incentive Program addresses the high costs of installing sprinklers in smaller commercial/multi-family/mixed use buildings. These smaller buildings are disproportionately impacted by the cost of sprinkler installation, which may make it financially infeasible. Since properly sprinklered buildings increase personal safety and protect our historic and cultural heritage, the Partnership seeks to lessen this financial burden and increase the number of fire-protected buildings in Downtown Frederick. • This grant program is for […]
Historic District Guides
Thank you for calling Downtown Frederick home! By choosing to live here, you are a key part of keeping our city’s historic buildings great. Whether you’re a home owner, renter, business owner or simply someone who loves Downtown Frederick, you understand that this city’s wealth of historic buildings is what sets our community apart. To help answer some of the most common questions about the historic district, the City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission and Downtown Frederick Partnership have created a series of general guides for residents, merchants and contractors who live and work here. While these guides tackle many of the basics, we know that each project is unique. If you ever have questions, the City of Frederick Planning staff is always happy to help! The City strives to safeguard its historical and cultural heritage through the preservation of historic sites, structures and districts. We are thankful for the participation of the community in helping us preserve and protect our historic city. Before starting your next project, take a few minutes to review the Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines. Visit bit.ly/freddesign for the complete guidelines, or contact us for more information. DOWNTOWNFREDERICK.ORG/LIVE PHONE: 301.600.1499 EMAIL: preservation@cityoffrederick.com Download Downtown Frederick Residents Historic District Guide Download Downtown […]
Kids in the City: Susan and Jeremy Kelley
Like a lot of new parents, the birth of their first child meant it was time for Susan and Jeremy Kelley to trade their small starter home in on a bigger house. But the couple, who’d spent the past decade living in a turn of the century row house across Patrick Street from the fairgrounds and a few doors down from the house Patsy Cline once called home, didn’t head to the suburbs. Instead, they bought a three-story detached townhouse on E. Second Street. “We’d always wanted to be closer into downtown,” says Susan. And the fact that they had a toddler didn’t discourage them. “So many people feel like they need to disengage when they have kids and I felt like we need to engage more,” says Jeremy. Once a boarding house, the home is currently divided into three units. The largest apartment, which meanders over all three levels, is home to the couple and their two children – Jack and his little sister Jane, who was born after the move. “What I like about this house is that it’s a house we can grow into,” says Jeremy. But in the meantime, the home’s other two units house rental tenants and provide a welcome income […]
Downtown’s Millennial Migration: Erik Moore
After attending college in Pittsburg and working in financial services there, Frederick native Erik Moore didn’t immediately leap at the chance to return home and join the family business. “Pittsburg’s just bigger, so there was a little hesitation,” says Erik, the Financial Planning Services & Analysis Manager with Moore Wealth, Inc., a concierge wealth management firm with offices in Downtown Frederick. But Erik, who grew up in Spring Ridge, didn’t immediately rule out a homecoming, either. “I’ve never lived in Frederick as an adult and so there was a lot I hadn’t experienced before,” he says. A lot of those experiences are brand new, too. Frederick – especially downtown – isn’t quite the same place he knew as a teen. “There’s a lot of stuff coming to Frederick that’s appealing to people my age,” says Erik, “the new rooftop bar at Brewer’s Alley has been a real hit.” So, after a few trips home to sample the scene, Erik and his fiancé made the move from Pittsburgh to Frederick in November of 2016. And while he grew up in the suburbs, they decided to make downtown their new home. “The office is here, so that made it easy. Plus, for someone my age, the other areas aren’t as […]
This Weekend in Downtown | First Saturday
It’s the first of August and that means Downtown Frederick is awake and ready for a fabulous First Saturday. While we’re sure your summer has been filled with explorations and vacations, take a breath from all the travel and unwind with a day trip through downtown. There is no better place to be than within the heart of downtown shopping local, eating fresh, and exploring on foot or on the free trolley. August First Saturday is made possible by The Daley. August is all about ART in Downtown Frederick! Visit our many galleries and entertainment venues and find art-themed events in businesses throughout downtown. NOMA Gallery on behalf of Downtown Frederick Partnership is unveiling “A Year of First Saturdays – Plein Air in Downtown Frederick,” a showcase of the Plein Air art created during each First Saturday from June 2016 to July 2017. These art pieces are beautiful representations of the vibrancy downtown holds, so start your evening off at the NOMA gallery, and purchase art that will go directly into the artists hands and our glorious downtown. Inspired to create your own art after seeing what artists have created with downtown as their canvas? Allow your creativity to soar and look out […]
Upcoming Downtown Events
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