MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 2, 2003

SITE C APPRAISAL WILL ALLOW SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TO MOVE FORWARD

Frederick, Md. --- The Mayor and Board of Aldermen will be discussing the appraisal on Site C at this week's Workshop. The appraisal is a necessary step for the City's General Fund to purchase Site C from the Department of Community Development. Community Development purchased six properties between 1980 and 1986 (collectively known as Site C) using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The City recently learned that the site was the location of two early churches. The General Fund will be reimbursed upon settlement with the sale of Site C.

The All Saints English Episcopal Church occupied the east side of the site from about 1750 to 1814 and on the west side of the site was Frederick's First Methodist Church. Although built by residents in 1818, free black residents and slaves also worshipped at the Asbury Methodist Church. By 1864 the black community had claimed the church and remained in the 'old hill church' until 1912.

Records indicate that remains in the All Saints English Episcopal Church graveyard were relocated in 1913. Documentation regarding the relocation of the remains in the Asbury Methodist Church graveyard has not been found.

Brad Tavel, One World LLC, is eager to move to settlement and has been aware of the City's concerns with this site. "Mr. Tavel wants to be able to develop this property and has been supportive of our efforts to clear up and discrepancy in records keeping," stated Mayor Jennifer Dougherty.

"The City is erring on the side of caution regarding the archeological dig. History has shown three times prior in the City that burial grounds were not always clearly marked and recorded. We are glad to address this possibility and simply doing our best to provide the developer with a clean title and bill of health for this valuable site along Carroll Creek," stated Chuck Boyd, director of planning and community development.

This process is not holding up the development and settlement of Site C. Site C is waiting for adequate water taps pursuant to the Water Allocation Ordinance. Mayor Dougherty believes "this additional research will not delay Mr. Tavel's project and it will allow all of us to sleep with clear conscious."

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen will be discussing the appraisal of Site C at the Workshop on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 2 p.m., City Hall Board Room.