On November 24, 1999, the Governor announced that downtown Hagerstown would be the location of a new University System of Maryland Education Center in Washington County. This $13.5 million project rehabilitated the old Baldwin House/Routzahns Department store complex of historic buildings at 32 W. Washington Street and set-up the USM center in the buildings. By Christmas 2004, the USM center web site will be accessible at www.hagerstown.md.edu. The USM center opened in January 2005.

The USM Center contains 77,000 sq. ft. of space, including 24 classrooms, 3-4 labs, a media center, meeting rooms, and offices. The building is hardwired (every desk has a hook-up for personal laptops) as well as wireless. Classes began in Jan. 2005.

Our community is very excited about the USM Education Center project in downtown Hagerstown. This major capital project in the heart of the downtown is universally seen as a major catalyst for reinvestment in downtown Hagerstown. The City is already seeing the effects of this project by increased developer interest in available downtown commercial property. The Education Center is a major anchor in our Smart Growth-A&E District.