Downtown Frederick emerged from economic decline during the late 1960s and survived a devastating flood in 1976. But perhaps it's greatest comeback stems from recent revitalization efforts that helped turn the downtown area into a magnet for East Coast artists.
Residents have seen steady income growth, falling unemployment and a high occupancy rate that continues to spark development of residential and commercial projects. In 2003, the state designated downtown Frederick an Arts & Entertainment District, which allows artists and craftsmen to sell their work tax free. This lured many artists to the area, and residents and service-oriented businesses followed. More than 2,500 historic properties in the downtown area have been renovated for modern use while preserving Colonial-era architectural elements. Beyond more than a dozen antique shops are food markets, bookstores, bottle shops and wellness centers, all within walking distance of residences.
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you wont see this downtown sby... they rather sell parking lots at free of charge instead of updating old buildings...
ReplyDeleteThey rather new ones be built instead of fixing the old ones or tearing them down and building new ones...
That is one thing I give Fredrick and Easton credit for, they take care of their stuff as far as buildings go...
But you saw the word tax free in there and yeah SBY knows nothing but hown to tax you into a ditch so yeah this won't be happening around here...
Not with all the stores closing and or moving out and along with the citizens who are fed up...
So I think that population number is wrong... and the unemployment number is wrong... it is near 10% and the population is near 80k
In the past decade Fredrick county has become a suburb of Wash DC. Rush hours into and out of DC extend into Frederick.
ReplyDeleteCan't be done here.Citizens have proven over and over again that they WILL NOT patronize such a thing in downtown Sby.Be as creative as you like & run as many examples of how great downtowns are elsewhere,but ours departed for a reason.The people decided to go elsewhere.Let it be a haven for professional offices and residences and be done with it.
ReplyDelete2:06
ReplyDeleteIts been more like 20 years that it is become that way. People left Montgomery and Howard to move to Frederick County because the taxes were cheaper.
Funny the liberal move into a town/county/state/country and they like the fact that is has lower taxes and such and because where they are living is no longer affordable....yet when they get there they want to change it to how it was where they came from.
Great article and great photos.Is there a point that you are eluding to?
ReplyDeletethe reason it will never happen here is cause the local populace is to freaking stupid to want something this nice. Better all the trash stay home and shoot up!
ReplyDeleteWe had the opportunity with River's Edge, but with Debbie Campbell gone from city council and Jim Ireton running the show, I fear that the developers won't be made to deliver the artisan housing that they promised. I think that they have already come back for subsidies that they said they wouldn't need. The new council majority isn't watching out for the taxpayers or the long term success of the city.
ReplyDeleteI think you are probably right, 5:15.
ReplyDeleteFrederick county is western Md.
ReplyDeleteConservative country. People have moved there to escape the racial division and hatred of PG county and Montgomery county.
5:15PM & 6:56PM
ReplyDeleteThere are very, very few 'elected officials' with vision today. Foresight is something I feel is all but bread out of our various gov'ts in favor of short term 'grand standing' ploys. And, our local gov'ts are no exception.