MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 30, 2004

NEW DOWNTOWN EXPRESS SHUTTLE AND PARKING LAUNCH SET FOR APRIL 5TH

Frederick, Md. --- The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the launch of the downtown express, Frederick’s first free shuttle and parking program. This new and innovative program was designed to assist the City with the parking shortage in the downtown area. In June of 2003, the Board of Aldermen recommended the implementation of a satellite-parking program to offer a flexible, proactive, alternative parking option for the downtown business district.

Service will begin on Monday, April 5, at 6:30 a.m. There will be an official ribbon cutting at 7:30 a.m. on the same day. The first 100 riders will receive a free gift for riding including coupons for; discounted products (courtesy of Market Street Café), a free bagel (courtesy of The Market Bagel & Deli), a free ticket for a Key’s game (courtesy of the Frederick Key’s). The first 100 riders will also receive a downtown express travel mug, courtesy of the City’s contracted marketing firm, The Benedict Company. In addition, Market Street Café will fill your downtown express travel mug free during the week of April 5 - 9.

Service will run weekdays, from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Riders will park at the upper lot of Harry Grove Stadium and ride the downtown express into town for FREE.

The downtown express run will run two separate routes throughout the day. The Peak Express Hours (6:30 - 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.) will run every 10 minutes and Non-Peak Express Hours (9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) will run on the hour and half hour.

During Peak Express Hours there are four locations including; City Hall, the Frederick County Court House, the corner of Market and Patrick Streets, and the corner of Market and Church Streets.

During Non-Peak Express Hours the route is extended slightly to add three additional stops at the Department of Social Services, the Transit Center (MARC station), and the C. Burr Artz Library.

For additional information please call 301-600-2065 or visit www.co.frederick.md.us/transit

April 3 First Saturday Gallery Walk & the downtown express

Join in the First Saturday Gallery Walk fun on Saturday, April 3. Over 60 galleries, specialty stores and restaurants are open late the First Saturday of each month. Come out this First Saturday and see a glass blowing demonstration, meet artists, hear live music and enjoy the spring weather. As an added special feature, the April 3rd First Saturday will offer an opportunity to preview the downtown express.

With expressing beginning on Monday, April 5, the downtown express will allow riders to park free and ride free between 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM weekdays. During the April 3rd First Saturday, the downtown express will be available for preview tours in front of Brewer’s Alley. The first to come aboard the express during First Saturday (5 - 9 PM) will be offered free gifts.

During downtown express launch week, beginning, Monday, April 5, the first 100 riders will be treated to coffee offerings from Market Street Café, a free bagel from The Market Bagel & Deli, a free coffee mug from the Benedict Company and a free baseball ticket from the Frederick Keys. Free parking is available at the upper lot of Harry Grove Stadium. Express service will operate every ten minutes during peak hours from 6:30 AM until 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM until 6:30 PM. Peak hour stops include Market & Patrick Street, Market & Church Street, City Hall and the Courthouse. During non-peak hours, the express will depart the stadium on the hour and half-hour and offer additional stops.

Downtown Frederick Partnership is charged with enhancing, promoting and preserving the vitality of Downtown Frederick. In 2001, the Partnership was designated the managing organization for Frederick’s Main Street Program. The Main Street Program is a preservation-based, downtown revitalization approach sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The goal of the Main Street Program is to strengthen the vitality of Maryland’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods. For more information, contact the Downtown Frederick Partnership at 301-698-8118.