Frostburg signs MOU to use $250,000 state demolition funds for structural stabilization on Main Street

The City Commission approved Resolution 2025-30 to formalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that lets the city manage an Allegheny County-administered program funded by $250,000 from the Maryland Strategic Demolition Fund.

Community Development staff explained the county received $250,000 from the state’s strategic demolition program and that the city will administer application intake, assemble review materials, and run a local review panel. After the city review panel recommends awards, the county will enter into grant agreements with awardees, write checks, inspect completed work and manage state reporting.

Staff said the funding is designated for a specific portion of Main Street — from Water Street to Bowery Street — and is intended for structural stabilization (foundations, roofs, interior framing), not facade work or routine cosmetic repair. Staff described past structural concerns on some Main Street buildings and said the goal is to prevent more serious structural failures.

The program will use a review rubric and a panel composed of city and county staff (three city staff members and two county representatives); projects will be scored against the rubric and recommendations will be forwarded to the mayor and council and then to the county commissioners for final approval. Staff said individual requests may be up to $100,000 and the county will manage the grant contracts and inspections. Commissioners approved the resolution after public questions and staff responses.