Historic District Commission approves exterior-door replacement and renovations at 1 East Main Street

FROSTBURG, Md. — The Frostburg Historic District Commission on Monday approved exterior-door replacement and related renovations at 1 East Main Street, clearing a request that included storefront alterations, replacement of worn carpet at the entryway and a series of interior infrastructure upgrades.

The applicant, Ben Harmon, described the property as an investment he and his brother are restoring and said the project has included electrical, plumbing and heating work along with insulation and window replacement. "I think we're gonna make it, but we had a lot of, a lot of work to be done," Harmon said.

The commission’s approval followed a motion by Commissioner Bill Dennerman that cited compatibility with district design standards and referenced section 4.1 j 0.1.c of the applicable ordinance. Commissioner Bill Dennerman said, "I moved to approve the proposal ... pursuant to section 4.1 j 0.1 point c." Chair John Heinz called the question; commissioners voted to approve the project with no recorded opposition.

Why this matters: the building has been vacant for years and is in the downtown commercial core. Harmon told the commission that two ground-floor spaces are leased and that new tenants are planning openings that the applicant said will activate the storefronts. He said Project Restore grant funding supported the work.

Key details: Harmon told commissioners the building contains five second-floor apartments — one above the Broadway storefront and two over the main portion on each side — and that the main-floor and basement areas were completed first. While demolishing interior finishes the team found cracked 4-inch cast-iron drain pipes and replaced them, an added cost Harmon estimated at $60,000. Harmon also said the electrical service was upgraded to 600 amps, older fuse panels were replaced, spray-foam insulation was installed, several windows were replaced, and mini-split heat pumps and individual 30-gallon water heaters were installed for apartments. He described the original building hot-water setup as a single 100-gallon electric tank and noted the change to individual, metered units.

Harmon described roof shingles as having only a few years of life remaining and said roof work remains on the project list. He also reported limited basement water during recent floods and said he would check with Public Works about an existing sidewalk manhole cover and how to handle it going forward.

Commission discussion focused on the exterior doors and entry area visible from the street. The applicant presented photos and historical images and said the replaced door was metallic and deteriorated at the bottom. Commissioners asked whether underlying threshold materials (tile or terrazzo) remained beneath worn carpet at the entry; Harmon said the subfloor is concrete.

Community and tenant details: Harmon said a tenant referred to as Mindy will do a soft opening next weekend with a full opening in July. He also identified Katie Lehi and Bethany Fife as additional partners and tenants who will offer services and retail on the main floor. Harmon said Project Restore provided a timely grant for the work.

Action taken: The commission approved the proposed exterior changes after a motion finding the design, texture and proportions compatible with the district, citing the ordinance provision noted above. No public comment was received during the item.

Next steps: Harmon said additional work remains — roof replacement and follow-up with Public Works on sidewalk infrastructure — but that the building is returning to active use at street level.