Downtown Sykesville Connection outlines 2024 projects, recognizes volunteers

Julie Della Maria, executive director of the Downtown Sykesville Connection, presented the nonprofit’s 2024 annual review to the Sykesville Mayor and Council during its Jan. 27 meeting, highlighting public‑art, historic‑preservation and economic‑development projects and recognizing volunteers who supported farmers market and sustainability efforts.

Della Maria told the council the Downtown Sykesville Connection (DSC) follows a “get engaged, get together, get green” approach and operates five committees — design, promotion, economic development, justice/equity/diversity/inclusion, and green — each working from committee work plans that the organization uses to meet state and national Main Street accreditation standards. “I am very proud to present to you a comprehensive review of our 2024 activities,” Della Maria said.

The presentation reviewed notable 2024 projects that the DSC said aimed to link historic preservation with downtown revitalization. Della Maria described a Global Mural Mosaic Project installed on Main Street — the DSC’s presentation said the mural is made of nearly 2,200 tiles painted by about 80 Sykesville residents and is searchable online — and several community art classes for middle‑ and high‑school students and adults. She said the design committee also delivered a historic‑preservation series of talks explaining the role of the Historic District Commission and the economic benefits of preservation.

Della Maria credited the mural project with sparking follow‑on work: DSC staff and volunteers approached a property owner for mural space, which led to facade improvement work on the building, replacement of original metal windows through DSC’s jointly run facade improvement program, and further exterior repairs. The presentation included photos and a progress update on the DSC‑led renovation of 76 Main Street; Della Maria said exterior repairs are nearly complete and interior work — HVAC, electrical and drywall — was underway, and she hoped to provide a construction update by the end of the week and to invite council members to visit the building “by the end of the month of February.”

On economic development and promotion, Della Maria said DSC updated a visitor guide listing downtown businesses and runs a downtown gift‑card program she said is redeemable at 33 downtown merchants. She enumerated recurring events the DSC runs or supports — the farmers market, Trick or Treat on Main Street, Craft Beer Festival, parade and seasonal promotions — and said the DSC secured local press and television coverage to promote the downtown.

The presentation also detailed the DSC’s green and volunteer initiatives. Della Maria and the council recognized Girl Scouts from Troop 1290 — Charlotte, Sarah and Payne — for a state‑funded composting program: Della Maria said the program included in‑person sessions, a video, and distribution of roughly 50 tabletop bins and 20 larger composters to participants; she noted the troop’s work led to a presentation opportunity with the Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council and to a demonstration alongside the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The mayor later presented the scouts with pins and certificates on the council dais.

Della Maria thanked the town for help with real‑estate acquisition and staff support and reiterated that the DSC holds state and national Main Street accreditation, which she described as requiring documented, detail‑oriented work plans and volunteer engagement. She closed by inviting questions and by acknowledging DSC staff and board members.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation; members applauded the volunteers and the DSC’s work.

Looking ahead, Della Maria said the DSC will continue event planning, facade assistance and community outreach, and she flagged further work on 76 Main Street and other downtown projects for 2025.