MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 25, 2003

For Immediate Release Contact: Downtown Frederick Partnership
Kara Norman, 301-698-8118

DOWNTOWN FREDERICK PARTNERSHIP RECEIVES NATIONAL MAIN STREET ACCREDITATION

The efforts of Downtown Frederick Partnership have earned it recognition for commercial district revitalization by meeting standards for performance set by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center. Downtown Frederick Partnership joins over 500 other Main Street revitalization programs nationally recognized as a National Main Street Program for 2003. This is the second year that Downtown Frederick Partnership has been accredited.

"Effective Main Street revitalization programs create vibrant commercial districts with many different uses, where people come not only to shop, but also to work, live, and have fun. By stimulating economic vitality and adapting historic buildings for new uses, Main Street districts are places that define community," says Kennedy Smith, director of the National Trust's Main Street Center. "The criteria for the National Main Street Program designation reflect the activities needed in a well-balanced district revitalization and management program. A National Main Street Program is one that meets the basic standards of performance for a commercial district revitalization and management organization. Designation of Downtown Frederick Partnership as a National Main Street Program reflects that it meets these national performance criteria for good management practices."

The annual recognition program evaluates commercial district revitalization programs by criteria like: broad based public support, historic preservation ethic, active board of directors, adequate funding, a paid professional manager and reporting of economic progress by providing statistical information. The program's performance was evaluated by the State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, which is the statewide coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Maryland.

"We are excited to be recognized for our efforts over the past year," said Board President Clyde Hicks. "The Downtown Frederick Partnership benefits greatly from the support and efforts of our committed Board of Directors and many other talented volunteers."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize communities. Its Washington, D.C. headquarters staff, six regional offices and 21 historic sites work with the Trust's quarter-million members and thousands of local community groups in all 50 states. For more information, visit the National Trust's website at www.nationaltrust.org.