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MEDIA
ADVISORY
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Mayor:
Jennifer P. Dougherty
Heather
Galbraith
Phone: 301-698-8118
Date: October 8, 2003
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carroll
Creek Park Improvements Move Toward Construction
After much anticipation, The City of Frederick is ready
to move forward with the construction of improvements
along Carroll Creek Park. At the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen workshop on Wednesday, the Carroll Creek Task
Force presented their recommendations for the park improvement
plan.
The plan, presented by Dick Kessler, Chairman of the
Carroll Creek Task Force, and project consultants from
LDR International, defined the final plan for design
of the improvements that will be built on top of the
conduits along either side of the creek. Highlights
of the plan include a pedestrian suspension bridge at
Maxwell Avenue, as well as 3 additional pedestrian bridges
between Court Street and East Street; a small amphitheatre
opposite the creek from the C. Burr Artz Library; multiple
water features along the entire length of the creek;
and extensive greenery.
The
intent for the $65 million flood control project is
to provide a hub for economic opportunities in the City,
offering opportunities for continued residential, retail,
recreational and commercial ventures in the downtown
area. The 13-member task force has met extensively over
the past year, aggressively working to pull the final
park plan together and bring the original vision of
the creek to fruition.
The park improvement plan will be presented to the Historic
District Commission for approval on October 9, to the
Planning Commission on October 13 and the Mayor and
Board of Aldermen on October 16. Pending approval of
the plan and a phase II contract, the consultants will
begin work on construction documents, with construction
scheduled to begin in 2004.
The
task force addressed a variety of issues, from trees
and grass to pedestrian street crossings, water features,
lighting, benches, public art and entertainment opportunities,
the Shared Use Bike Path plan, and interaction between
the creek and building sites along the creek. As proposed
by the task force, the plan calls for $17 million in
improvements, a cost that will be shared by both the
public and private sectors. Currently, there is over
$12 million in the City’s Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) through FY2007, as well as a $1.6 million grant
from the State of Maryland.
Construction of the park improvements will be phased
in timing with the private development occurring along
the creek, with a priority focus on the areas between
Court Street and Carroll Street. The remaining improvements
will be constructed as private development moves forward
and funding becomes available.
The
task force is also responsible for the creation of development
design standards for new and existing construction along
Carroll Creek Park and East Street Extended. Those standards
are still in draft form and will be taken through the
approval process in November.
Members
of the Carroll Creek Task Force are: Dick Kessler, Chairman,
Downtown Merchant; Fran Baker, Historic District Commission;
Dale Dowling, Resident; Fred Eisenhart, director of
Public Works, The City of Frederick; Richard Griffin,
Project Manager, director of Dept of Economic Development,
The City of Frederick; Marcia Hall, City of Frederick
Alderman; Marilyn Henry, Resident; Guy Henry, Resident;
Clyde Hicks, Downtown Merchant; Roelkey Myers, director
of Recreation Department, The City of Frederick; Kara
Norman, Downtown Frederick Partnership; Catherine Parks,
Planning Department, The City of Frederick; Barbara
Wyatt, Historic Preservation Planner, The City of Frederick.
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