At the turn of the 20th century, the southeast side of downtown served as a core industrial district of The City of Frederick. Major local facilities employed hundreds of workers and were bustling with production activity. However, as the global economy evolved over the next century, industry shifts forced many of these companies to close or relocate their operations — leaving behind large abandoned buildings and a challenged neighborhood.
In recent decades, we have seen a new economic trend emerge. Arts & Entertainment destinations have begun to cluster in the area and bring life back to the historic structures. Together, these complimentary uses are serving as key catalysts for the revitalization of the entire corridor.
The positive local impact of these cultural landmarks have received a groundswell of support and even prompted initial grassroot discussions of potentially branding the area as a ‘Creative District.’
Marked in blue on the map above, these Arts, Entertainment, and Cultural facilities include:
C. Burr Artz Public Library: Opened in 2002, the 60,000 SF public library features meeting rooms with capacity up to 100 guests, study rooms, an outdoor terrace, and “The Maryland Room” dedicated to our sharing our State’s history. Each year, over 395,000 visitors borrow approximately 850,000 media items from the library.
Carroll Creek Amphitheater - The outdoor performance venue is home to more than 50 events a year, including the wildly popular Alive at Five happy hour concert series hosted by the Downtown Frederick Partnership every Thursday during select Spring, Summer and Fall months.
Union Mills Rehabilitation - The historic 50,000+ sq ft factory building is now almost fully tenanted. The massive rehabilitation project, led by Douglas Development, features a vibrant mix of users including two breweries: Idiom Brewing Company and Steinhardt Brewing. The remaining first-floor space is poised to become an upscale event facility named “Union Mills Public House”— offering the community a new Creekside venue.
Delaplaine Arts Center - The Delaplaine Arts Center, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year, was a pioneer amongst the Arts-driven projects revitalizing the area. The project transformed a 100-year old mill into a 40,000 SF flagship of arts that hosts 80,000+ visitors each year. Just last year, the Center completed a new deck addition to allow more event space alongside Carroll Creek.
SkyStage Theater - In 2010, a massive fire destroyed the roof and second story of the pre-revolutionary war building at 59 S. Carroll Street. After sitting vacant for over 5 years, a team of local arts partners saw an opportunity to transform the new space into a unique indoor/outdoor theater. Today, the Frederick Arts Council helps program 200+ events from the space annually.
The City’s Department of Economic Development recently partnered with the Frederick Arts Council to apply to the State for grant funding to help fund a second phase of site improvements at the theater.
African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society (AARCH)- AARCH is preparing to open a 3,200 SF facility dedicated to preserving, presenting and celebrating untold stories of African Americans in Frederick County. The new Heritage Center will transform a currently vacant retail space in the City-owned All Saints Parking Garage into a community engagement center where permanent and changing exhibitions, displays and multidisciplinary programs will provide educational enrichment and transformational experiences for visitors and audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Clue IQ Escape Room - The independent escape room company, Clue IQ, transformed a former dry good grocer warehouse into another popular entertainment destination. Since it’s opening in 2017, it has hosted well over 10,000 visitors.
Frederick Visitor Center - After three decades of operating out of a shared building on Church Street, Frederick’s Visitor Center was moved to its current location at 151 Frederick Visitor Center in 2011. The site was once home to the Frederick Spoke Factory, which was in active production at the end of the 19th century. The current building's history can be traced to circa-1899, when it was constructed as a warehouse of the Monocacy Valley Canning Company. Following extensive renovation, the new Visitor Center’s doors open on April 2, 2011 and countless visitors have been welcomed in ever since.
Frederick Book Arts - Frederick Book Arts, a non-profit focused on sharing the “art of the book”, is currently leading the rehabilitation of a vacant turn-of-the-century structure at 127 S. Carroll Street. The property will house the expanded headquarters of the non-profit arts organization -- offering free programming and affordable workspace to local artists.
These projects are infusing new energy into the neighborhood and creating real change. Continued positive momentum in the area is supported by critical infrastructure components as well, including:
Shared Path of Carroll Creek Linear Park
Marc Train Station
Public Parking Garage
Eastern Gateway to the City
Proposed future location for the City police headquarters.
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Cover Photo: Frederick Arts Council