1. Improve the environment of the Downtown.
2. Provide services for residents, businesses, visitors, and shoppers.
3. Create magnets to attract residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers.
4. Schedule special events to attract residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers.
5. Market the features which make the Downtown unique.

Improve the Environment

The City and the Chamber of Commerce continue to implement the Downtown Enhancement Plan's (click here for map ) infrastructure improvements recommendations:

• Gateway and pedestrian enhancements
• Improvement of public parking facilities
• Redesign of Public Square
• Designation of an Arts and Entertainment District

To enhance the public's perception of safety in the downtown area, the Hagerstown Police Department provides community policing support with bicycle and motor vehicle patrols on a regular basis, as well as beat patrols of the Public Square area on the evenings of cultural events at the Maryland Theatre.

Within the past five years, the City has enacted its redevelopment authority to acquire strategic downtown properties to facilitate redevelopment. In 1994-1996, the City renovated and fully leased the buildings in the northeast quadrant of Public Square, known today as the Elizabeth Hager Center. The City transferred ownership of the Delta Building to a private developer in 1999. Other city-owned buildings available for redevelopment are the Tri-State Building, the Baldwin House Complec, and the Tusing Warehouse. Interested developers should contact the Economic Development Coordinator at (301) 739-8577, ext. 141, or email at deverhart@hagerstownmd.org

Another goal of the City is to encourage the development of middle- and upper-income housing downtown. The presence of such residents would help to provide the necessary critical mass to support downtown night life. Desirable buildings for this type of use have architectural interest and are situated in prime locations.

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Provide Services

The public and the private sectors provide a variety of services to help make Hagerstown a great place to live, work, and visit. Downtown Hagerstown is the governmental center for the City of Hagerstown and Washington County, as well as home to several State and Federal agencies. Hagerstown's Economic Development Coordinator and Washington County's Economic Development Commission are available to facilitate the location and retention of businesses in the City and the County. In addition, Hagerstown/Washington County Chamber of Commerce is available to assist businesses with networking and marketing opportunities. Also available to facilitate business enterprises are the Hagerstown Telework Center and the FSU Center's Community Meeting Room. The City's Home Store — a one-stop center for home-ownership services opened in 1999. Visitors to Hagerstown can stop in Public Square at the Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau for information on area attractions and accommodations.

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Create Magnets
The unique environment of Hagerstown's Downtown historic district creates a draw for heritage tourists interested in urban history, transportation history, the Civil War, and architectural history. The recently refurbished Public Square is the geographical and historical center of Hagerstown. The original route of the National Pike through Hagerstown can be followed from Funkstown on Frederick Street to Downtown Hagerstown on East Baltimore Street to South Potomac Street to West Washington Street and on out MD 144 to the west. Hagerstown's railroad heritage can be explored at the Roundhouse Museum. Hagerstown's Civil War history can be explored at the Western Maryland Room of the Washington County Free Library and by taking the Downtown Civil War Walking Tour. The eclectic architecture found in the Downtown historic district ranges from early-19th century, two-story houses to the six-story, Art Deco style Professional Arts Building .

Downtown Hagerstown is home to a wide variety of significant cultural draws and supporting attractions. Cultural draws include the Maryland Theatre, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, The Washington County Playhouse , the Frostburg Center, The City Ballet School , Washington County Free Library, and the Farmers Market.

Enhancing these cultural draws are several fine restaurants and retail establishments. Fine dining can be experienced downtown at The Schmankerl Stube, Twilights Deli and Ristorante, The Plum, The Washington Spy, Roccocos, 'Round The Square and The Grille at Park Circle. Quality retail browsing can be experienced at the Washington County Arts Council Gallery, The Bookstore Etc., R. Bruce Carson Jewelers, The Jeweler's Daughter, The Morning Emporium, Carol and Company, Bikle's Ski & Outdoor Shop, Footlights, and Barnwood Books.

To enhance the cultural draw of Downtown Hagerstown it is a goal of the City to facilitate the development of museum attractions downtown which explore our region's Civil War history, railroad and transportation history, and agricultural and industrial history. Another project in the planning stages which the City supports is the development of The Discovery Station - a children's science center.

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Special Events

Downtown Hagerstown is the site of three major public events: the Western Maryland Blues Fest, Augustoberfest and the Mummer's Parade. Other smaller events occur throughout the year, including the TGIF Lunch Series , Flower Mart, Back to School, and many, many more.

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Marketing

The Hagerstown Marketing Committee employs television, print, and the internet to market the features which make downtown unique and a great place to live, work, and visit.

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