Leonardtown Named as Main Street Maryland Affiliate
Designation will assist revitalization and economic development in town
Leonardtown, MD – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has approved Leonardtown’s application for the Main Street Affiliate program. By becoming a Main Street Affiliate, Leonardtown will work with the department to develop a revitalization plan to strengthen Leonardtown’s traditional, downtown business district using the principles, guidelines and technical assistance of the Main Street Maryland program.
The affiliate program assists communities that are trying to create a downtown revitalization strategy, are in the early stages of applying for a Main Street Maryland designation, or that may not be eligible for the designation but want to use the Main Street approach to address local housing and community development challenges.
The foundation of the Main Street approach is based on four points for redevelopment and revitalization endorsed by the National Main Street Center and an additional fifth point created by Main Street Maryland to address sustainability and environmental impact:
- Economic Vitality to strengthen the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from outlying development.
- Design to enhance the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning.
- Promotion to market the traditional commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens, and visitors.
- Organization to build consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
- Clean, Safe and Green to enhance the neighborhood’s perception through smart growth and sustainability principles.
Leonardtown has come a long way in the revitalization of its downtown over the last two decades. Efforts to protect the downtown core business district have paid off and the downtown remains a vibrant business center. The redevelopment of the Leonardtown Wharf and the quality residential developments are a prime example of the vitality of Leonardtown.
Mayor Dan Burris stated, “We are pleased to receive the Main Street Affiliate designation. The Main Street Maryland designation has been a long term goal for the town for several years and this Affiliate designation brings us one step closer to realizing this goal.”
The Main Street Affiliate designation is another in a long list of designations and awards Leonardtown has received for its revitalization efforts. In 2002 Governor Glendening presented Leonardtown the Smart Growth Award for Downtown Revitalization. Governor Ehrlich named Leonardtown Wharf the first Priority Place during his administration. Most recently Leonardtown became one of only 24 municipalities to receive Maryland’s Arts and Entertainment District designations in 2013.
Applications to participate in the affiliate program are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit http://bit.ly/MainStMD for an application and to learn more about the benefits of the Main Street Affiliate program.
For more information contact: Laschelle McKay, Town Administrator at 301-475-9791 email: Laschelle.mckay@leonardtownmd.gov