(12/20) With the Master Plan currently under review, one topic that has been a constant talking point is the revitalization of Thurmont's downtown area. After finalizing the goals for implementing the Town's Master Plan in August, the Commission held a public workshop in September to specifically discuss the revitalization of downtown. At this meeting, Chair Meredith Wivell posed three key questions to be discussed among the public and commission members. The answers will be used in the construction of a survey to be distributed to residents in December.
These questions included what the downtown revitalization would involve and how it should look, what regulatory barriers could be changed to make the downtown a better place to live, work or recreate in and what impresses residents the most about downtown Thurmont today.
Residents at September's workshop celebrated the historic charm of Thurmont's downtown area and the need for sustainable growth according to the Master Plan. The Town will be looking into grants like the Strategic Demolition Fund, a program where rundown or derelict buildings can be rehabilitated into more useful properties or for more useful purposes, and the Maryland Facade Improvement Program, where funds are awarded to improve the exteriors of businesses located in Maryland Sustainable Communities. Some businesses have already been awarded funding by the facade program, including Studio 24E and the Catoctin Medical Center.
The Town's Main Street Manager Vicki Grinder has been a driving force in the revitalization of the downtown area. One of her celebrated accomplishments is keeping the downtown buildings occupied instead of leaving them empty and abandoned. She, along with Town staff, is creating a survey to determine what changes the residents want to see in the downtown area.
One consideration Town staff suggested is allowing the first floor of a downtown building to be residential. Allowing residential units would decrease the amount of empty first floors and increase foot traffic to the downtown area. For now, only a business may occupy the first floor, however many buildings remain empty because of this rule.
Another key aspect for improving visitation to the downtown area is the many events and activities that happen throughout the year. Suggestions by commission members included low-cost activities and events designed to draw people downtown without costing a lot of cash for the Town or businesses to implement and won't be too costly to stop people from attending. These suggestions included a scavenger hunt and "Where's Waldo" activity. One resident pointed out the lack of a place to socialize, such as a coffee shop or cafe, asking Town Staff for ways to create a more social aspect to the downtown area where visitors would want to stay and socialize, as well as shop.
The survey is expected to be a supplement in all residents' electric bills in December. The Commission also discussed handing out copies at the various winter events in the area.
