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NEWSLETTER
Note:
Newsletter files are large PDF documents. Broadband
internet access is highly recommended.
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Spring/Summer
2006: View the premier issue of the MAMSA
newsletter, The
Mount Airy Breeze (3.95 MB):
- New
businesses
- Calendar
of events
- Facade
improvement grant
- Scenic
byway nomination
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Other News:
MAMSA Receives Grant for Façade Improvement
Program
The Mount Airy
Main Street Association (MAMSA) is pleased to announce the
approval of a $25,000 Grant from the State of Maryland’s
Department of Housing and Community Development through the
Neighborhood Business Works program. This matching grant will
provide façade improvement funds to downtown businesses and
property owners to improve the appearance and preserve
historic elements of downtown buildings.
Each property
owner or business applying for a grant will have to match the
grant on a 1:1 basis, resulting in additional private
investment in downtown.
A seven person
volunteer committee will be set up to review applications and
assist downtown businesses and property owners throughout the
application process. In addition, to help reduce the burden of
coming up with a private match, MAMSA will be working with
local banks to establish special small business financing
opportunities to help those who do not have the cash on hand
to implement a project.
"We are very
excited about this grant and the impact it will have on the
overall appearance of Main Street. By using the State grant to
leverage private investment, we can make a significant impact
on our downtown business district that will hopefully inspire
others to invest as well," said Mayor James Holt.
"MAMSA looks
forward to working with businesses and local banks to increase
investment in the revitalization of our downtown. This program
will result in a noticeable improvement in the visual appeal
of our Main Street commercial district," added Amy Lubick,
MAMSA President.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Town of Mount Airy has
ordinances requiring a minimum level of property maintenance?
If you see a building or property that appears to be in
violation, please contact Town Hall.
Citizens, property owners,
and the Town all share equally the responsibility to maintain
the visual character and quality of life within our town!
Here is a summary of the
ordinance:
"Property Maintenance –
Property owners must keep their property free of dirt, filth,
rubbish, garbage or similar matter so not to cause rodent or
vermin infestation. Property owners must also keep weeds and
grass under 12" in height. If this ordinance is violated, the
Town may send a written notice to property owners to remedy
the situation in a specified period of time. If the property
owner fails to comply, the Town may take action and bill the
owner for the cost of rubbish removal, trimming, cutting, or
other actions, with a minimum charge of $250 per lot."
Mount Airy nominated for Scenic Byway
Location, Location,
Location…
 The Town of
Mount Airy has it, being strategically located between
Washington, DC, Baltimore and Frederick. It is a growing
community with a rich history. To capitalize on this,
MAMSA is nominating the Town of Mount Airy for inclusion in
the Capital Region Old Main Streets Scenic Byway Program when
it is updated by the Maryland State Highway Administration’s
Office of Environmental Design.
The Mount Airy Main St. Association is seeking the
addition of downtown Mt. Airy to the Old Main Streets Byway by
connecting Main Street (MD 808) to Buffalo Road to Shirley
Bohn Road, then north on Woodville Road, and finally to MD 26
west toward Libertytown, where it would connect with the Byway
at the intersection of MD 26 and MD 75. Buffalo Road has its
own significance in its original role as a military road that
stretched all the way from Washington DC to Buffalo, NY. The
portion of Buffalo Road proposed for inclusion on the Scenic
Byway also serves as the boundary between Carroll and
Frederick Counties.
The Old Main Streets Byway
currently loops through both Carroll and Frederick County.
The Carroll County towns included in the loop are Westminster,
Uniontown, Taneytown and New Windsor. In Frederick
County, the Byway includes the towns of Thurmont, Emmitsburg,
Libertytown, Union Bridge, and the City of Frederick
Second Saturday Stroll Features Local
History
The Mount Airy Main Street
Association (MAMSA) co-sponsored the July Second Saturday
Stroll, which featured a "Downtown Day of Discovery" held on
Saturday, July 9th, 2005.
People enjoyed a wonderful stroll
downtown while being given the opportunity to "discover the
past, discover a bargain, and discover the many great things
that downtown Mount Airy has to offer".
Throughout the day, many treasures
awaited the shopper and history buff alike. The festivities of
the day began with a sidewalk sale from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm,
sponsored by the Downtown Business Association.
In addition, from 2:00 -6:00 pm,
local history was be highlighted with the opening of local
museums and a chance to see Carroll County’s first "post
office on wheels". The Mount Airy Historical Society set up a
display on Main Street that highlighted local history. The
Mount Airy Military Museum was open to the public on the third
floor of the Flatiron Building at 2 Park Avenue. And Howard
Parzow opened for a few hours to allow lucky passersby the
opportunity to preview his fully renovated General Store
Museum that is scheduled for a grand opening this fall.
Everyone also stopped by to see a
special exhibit featuring an exact replica of one of the
nation’s first Rural Free Delivery (RFD) Wagons that delivered
mail to this area beginning in 1896. The Carroll County RFD
Centennial Committee commissioned the reproduction of the
postal delivery wagon, and donated it to the Carroll County
Farm Museum, where it will be placed on permanent display. The
wagon was brought out to the community for the first time, for
viewing in Mount Airy.
Strolling Main Street and
experiencing the unique history of Mount Airy, made some
people hungry, so a Hot Dog Sale was also sponsored by the
Mount Airy Jaycees.
Merchants extended their hours until
9 pm, and Main Street featured special products, free
refreshments and live art demonstrations, as they do each
Second Saturday of every month.
"MAMSA was pleased to be able to
highlight Mount Airy’s unique history, while at the same time
helping to promote the downtown as a center of community life.
Giving people an opportunity to enjoy Mount Airy’s historic
downtown is what the Main Street Program is all about," said
Amy Lubick, Mt. Airy resident and MAMSA president.
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