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Consultants launch My Downtown Hagerstown outreach; survey and roundtables under way
Summary
Urban Partners and MKSK provided an update on the city's 10‑year downtown plan, My Downtown Hagerstown, describing an outreach phase with multiple stakeholder roundtables, an online survey and a target to finalize recommendations by late 2025.
City planners and consultants on July 15 updated the Mayor and City Council on the My Downtown Hagerstown 10‑year plan, describing active stakeholder roundtables, an online survey and a market assessment that will be used to craft catalytic projects and implementation steps.
Consultants Christopher Lankanau of Urban Partners and the MKSK team said the effort, which began in April, will assess real estate and market conditions, identify catalytic projects and produce renderings to help stakeholders visualize possible investments. The study area focuses on the downtown flat that largely aligns with the city's Arts and Cultural District and downtown zoning.
Engagement: the consultants said about 350 online surveys had been completed at the time of the presentation and that nine stakeholder roundtables were scheduled, including sessions for community development nonprofits, arts/culture/tourism, young professionals and youth. Public events and pop‑ups are planned this summer, including a presence at the July 19 Flying Boxcars baseball game to collect input in person. The project website and survey are at mydowntownhagerstown.com.
Why it matters: the plan will identify specific catalytic projects'for example, streetscape, catalytic redevelopment sites or a downtown hotel'and analyze feasibility and costs to help solicit developer interest and public support. Consultants said they will complete market analysis and cost‑benefit work ahead of design and implementation recommendations.
Timeline and next steps: consultants plan to continue engagement through August, complete market analysis and convene a community workshop to present findings, then move to an implementation phase with renderings and developer outreach. A final presentation to the council is expected in November or December 2025.
Speakers: Emily Conrad, economic development coordinator, introduced the consultants and provided participation details. Christopher Lankanau summarized the firm's market approach and outreach schedule. Council members asked about youth engagement and in‑person outreach; consultants said sessions include youth council participation and targeted events for young professionals.
