On October 26, 2021, the Golden Mile Alliance held its second “Status of the Mile” meeting with speakers from the Golden Mile Alliance (GMA) and the City of Frederick.
President Sandy Wastler welcomed the participants to the Status of the Mile meeting, and, with the support from current GMA Board Members, provided key updates from the organization.
Updates from the GOLDEN MILE ALLIANCE:
Volunteer opportunities:
The Golden Mile Alliance depends on amazing volunteers who are passionate about the local community. The organizations offers a number of ways for volunteers to participate, including as:
Board Members: The Board serves as governing body of the Golden Mile Alliance. Individuals who sit on the board are responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities. Board members meet once a month to discuss and vote on the affairs of the organization. The Golden Mile Alliance’s board is made up of four resident positions; four business owners/or their rep positions, four property owner's/or their rep positions; and three at large members. Additionally, there is board level representation from the City including the Mayor’s Office, Board of Alderman, Economic Development, Planning, and the Frederick Police Department.
Committee Members: The Golden Mile Alliance’s Board is supported by three committees of volunteers focused on specific initiatives:
The Fundraising and Programming Committee helps plan activities, such as, social media events, membership program for businesses & residents; 5 K in 2021, and more.
The Governance Committee develops and maintains the non-profit’s organizational infrastructure and strategic planning.
The Design Committee is tasked with the implementation of the Façade Grant Program. The scope of this committee is expanding to include developing a more clearly defined definition of what the "sense of place" is for the GM and what improvements could be made.
Event Assistance: The Golden Mile Alliance also relies on volunteers to help day-of on events held through out the year, such as National Night Out, the Virtual Run or other planned activities.
Interested in becoming involved in the Golden Mile community? If you would like more information or would like to volunteer please contact the GMA today. The GMA and your community thanks you!
Façade Improvement Grants:
The Golden Mile’s Façade Improvement Program is funded by the State of Maryland’s Community Legacy Program. The program is designed to encourage exterior building improvements to commercial buildings along the Golden Mile. Matching grants (limited to $10,000, except by special exception) are available for investments in façade improvements such as painting, trim, and signage.
The GMA currently has $22,000 available to fund new facade grants along the Mile.
If any business or property owner is interested in applying, the application can be found on the GMA website at https://goldenmilealliance.org/grants-tax-credits .
Upcoming Events:
Business Visits - Modeled after Mayor O’Connor’s program, the Golden Mile Alliance is planning a new series of business visits throughout the Rt. 40 community. These scheduled visits will allow the GMA to expand its outreach to more businesses, as well as obtain feedback from business owners regarding both challenges and successes.
Business Financial Seminars - The GMA is preparing to launch a free “Lunch and Learn” seminar series in partnership with area financial institutions. The first event, to be sponsored by Nymeo Federal Credit Union, will provide information on “Retirement Plans for Small Businesses.” Time and date TBD.
City of Frederick Updates
Following the GMA’s updates, a team of representatives from The City of Frederick — including Alderman Derek Shakelford, Mary Ford Naill (Economic Development Manager), David Edmonston (City Planner), and Chief Jason Lando (Frederick Police Department), shared a updates from the local municipal government.
Economic Development:
Perhaps the most diverse part of the City, the Golden Mile area contains a significant amount of commercial space. Over the course of the last several years, the Golden Mile has experienced an uptick in capital investment.
The development of the 135 acre Westside Regional Park continues and the area recently welcomed the inclusive Sophie and Madigan’s Playground to the park.
Significant recent private investments and openings along the Golden Mile include:
Frederick County Square: DLC Management is nearing completion of its façade uplift at Frederick County Square. Despite losing Kmart as an anchor tenant, DLC Management was able to successfully land four new tenants for this vacant big box space – to include Harbor Freight, Lidl, Ollies and Goodwill Industries. DLC is also working through the development approvals for additional pad sites at Frederick County Square
MegaMart: Construction of a brand new 13,000+ SF MegaMart International Grocery Store off Western Drive was completed.
District 40: District 40 (the former Frederick Towne Mall) welcomed Warehouse Cinemas along with TajMahal Restaurant and Frederick Furniture. While COVID-19 did impact interest from retail tenants, the brokerage team has reported that they are starting to see an increase in inquiries from prospects for space at this former mall property. .
Existing and prospective businesses should be aware of the opportunities provided by the Golden Mile being a designated Enterprise Zone — which offers real property tax credits tied to investment, as well as income tax credits for new job creation.
Planning Department:
Plans are being discussed for a bike lane on Baughman’s Lane and assessment of some busier pedestrian connections on Key Parkway.
Additional improvements will be occurring regarding Rock Creek Park - repaving, lighting, and potential extension of Park.
Police Department:
Frederick Police Department’s Multi-Cultural Liaison Unit (MCLU) continues to regularly partner with Centro Hispano de Frederick and the Asian American Center of Frederick on various events.
The department’s newly-formed Traffic Safety Team is addressing speeding concerns in the area.
The Crisis Car will be expanding from 4 hours per day to 8 hours per day (M-F) starting in January.
To learn more about programs, opportunities and events along the Golden Mile, visit www.goldenmilealliance.org and follow GoldenMileAlliance on social media feeds.