MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 7, 2004

GAITHER’S ALLEY OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND

Frederick, Md. ---Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty is pleased to announce that an official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m., in celebration of newly extended Gaither’s Alley.

The Gaither’s Alley project was a notion conceived in 1996 as a neighborhood initiative by the South End Coalition (SEC). The goal was to create alley access to the homes on West All Saints Street and West South Street by the extension of Gaither’s Alley. Initially the SEC requested funds from the City’s Community Development Block Grant. Krista McGowan, a local attorney, worked pro bono on preparing the option agreements necessary to permit the needed square footage to create the alley.

This grass roots effort, led by two dedicated volunteers, Michael Williams and Daniel Lathrop, proved to be more than the SEC could undertake. In 1998, the South End Coalition approached the City of Frederick for assistance with this project to oversee the design and construction phases.

The City’s involvement spanned numerous departments including; Engineering for design and surveying, Legal for document review, the Department of Public Work’s Grounds Maintenance Department and Light and Signal Department, Purchasing, Permits & Codes, approval from the Mayor and Board of Alderman for reallocation of additional funds for construction expenses and lastly, the Department of Community Development for the critical aspect of obtaining the signed deeds from all owners and the release from the various lien holders in addition to the project management required.

The City would also like to acknowledge the efforts of HMF Paving, Inc. and their sub-contractors for making Gaither’s Alley a reality.