Developers, local businesses, and state and local governments are pouring into Hagerstown, because they see the potential of our city. Now it's up to us to support and invest in downtown. This website highlights a few of the government supported projects (as part of the "Urban Improvement Plan"), as well as noting other developers and business owners who are actively involved in downtown projects. Don't believe we can do it? Watch the video now.
Thanks to private-public partnerships, current investment projects are strengthening our economy, providing a better quality of life, and building on the local assets that Hagerstown has to offer. Recent investments will inspire lasting improvement on our city, particularly if we change the narrative. We need to craft a vision of Hagerstown that strengthens its growth potential by generating interest from within and the surrounding communities.
After years of dedication from government officials and entities, civic organizations, private companies, and countless citizens who have devoted their efforts towards the revitalization of downtown Hagerstown - specifically towards the bipartisan Urban Improvement Plan (UIP), these projects have begun to break ground. There are development projects taking place all over our city, and the UIP sponsored projects are shown in detail below.
Built upon the success of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA), the Washington County Board of Education (BOE) has a desire to increase its footprint in downtown Hagerstown. The Urban Education Campus (UEC) project involves the demolition of the existing adjacent building at 13-17 S. Potomac St. and the construction of a new 53,995 SF, 5-story building that will be connected to the existing BISFA school and the Maryland Theatre. The project includes classroom and support spaces, dining facilities and science labs to support the BISFA school and future student centered, educational opportunities in downtown Hagerstown. The property is owned by The Bowman Group, and Bowman Development has just been awarded the design and construction contract. The property and building will be turned over to the BOE upon completion. The construction project will start mid-June, 2018 and is scheduled for completion April, 2020.
The Maryland Theatre Association, Inc. is currently planning a 30,000 square foot expansion to transform The Maryland Theatre, the crown jewel of Hagerstown's A&E District, into a true Performing Arts Complex. The expansion will replace the current courtyard, bringing the Theatre back to its original footprint prior to the fire which destroyed the front of the building in the early 1970's. Consisting of five floors, the renovation will include a box office, rehearsal halls and multi-functional event spaces that can be rented for private events.
A physician assistant program is being proposed by Frostburg State University to start in the Summer 2019 semester at USMH. This two-year full time program plans to enroll 25 students each year. USMH will lease the third floor of the Meritus-owned H.W. Murphy Community Health Building at 24 N. Walnut Street for use as a new Health Sciences Center for this program. By bringing new students to the area, USMH needs more student housing. Through a partnership with the city of Hagerstown and a local developer, an uninhabited and neglected building at 140 West Antietam Street is being renovated into modern student housing for 12 students.
Thank you to each and every sponsor and partner for making this project a reality. The beauty of the Urban Improvement Plan derives from the collaboration of so many different organizations, businesses, and civic entities. Each sponsor recognized the need for a united voice to market the revitalization projects and move us forward. It's time to own it.
