HAGERSTOWN – The Hagerstown Housing Authority and city officials presented the final draft of the Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan on Aug. 19, setting the stage for sweeping redevelopment that could reshape entire neighborhoods. The plan, two years in the making, focuses on new housing construction, resident support and community revitalization.
The presentation, led by Margie Joe, Rachel Paul and Sean Griffith, highlighted how the project addresses three core goals: improving housing, supporting families and strengthening neighborhoods. The final version will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by Sept. 13. HUD previously praised the city’s draft plan, calling it strong enough to have been accepted as a final version, though officials recommended refinements around childcare, workforce development and transportation.
Early action and community input
An early-action activity selected by residents and a community committee will bring decorative crosswalks to two busy intersections: Jonathan and Church streets, and Memorial Boulevard and Frederick Street. The crosswalks, scheduled for completion this fall, are designed to improve pedestrian safety while adding public art to the neighborhood.
The broader plan reflects nearly two years of community engagement, workshops and needs assessments. According to Paul, “This is a compilation of all the data, outreach, and feedback we’ve gathered. The strategies are built around what people in the community told us they need most.”
Major housing redevelopment projects
The most ambitious part of the plan centers on housing. Griffith outlined several projects that aim to transform public housing sites into mixed-income communities offering a range of affordable, workforce and market-rate options:
- Muller Building: The vacant downtown structure is slated to become a 65-unit mixed-income development with one- and two-bedroom apartments, elevators, a fitness center, and shared community space. Thirty subsidized units will be transferred from Douglas Court to the new building. Griffith said the project is well positioned to receive state tax credit funding, with final decisions expected this fall. “We’re very optimistic,” he said. “The state representatives who toured the site were extremely impressed.”
- Parkside Homes: Located near Wheaton Park, this site will expand from its current 39 public housing units to 82 mixed-income apartments. Thirty-nine will remain subsidized, while additional units will be reserved for workforce and market-rate housing.
- Douglas Court: The site’s 30 subsidized units will be shifted into the Muller project. The property could then be redeveloped into homeownership opportunities, though the exact approach – whether new construction, rehabilitation, or partial demolition – remains under study.
- Frederick Manor: Currently housing 125 units, Frederick Manor could see two possible redevelopment paths. One would create 190 new units on existing Housing Authority land. The other, if additional property is acquired from nearby landowners, would allow up to 250 new units. The proposal also envisions expanded community services, possibly including youth programming modeled after the new Boys & Girls Club facility.
Resident concerns and relocation
Council members raised questions about resident displacement, communication, and school capacity. Councilwoman Tiara Burnett emphasized the importance of ensuring families understand the redevelopment timeline, recalling that turnout at a past meeting in the Sumans area was lower than expected. She asked whether every resident will be personally briefed.
Griffith assured the council that relocation plans include one-on-one meetings with each household to determine individual needs, whether residents want to move into new units, remain in their current communities, or use vouchers for other housing. “Residents have first priority and first choice,” he said. “We want every family to have options and to feel supported.”
Council members also discussed the impact on schools, particularly Bester Elementary, if Frederick Manor’s population doubles. Griffith said those concerns are still under discussion with the Board of Education, and the final path for Frederick Manor remains contingent on land acquisition and school capacity considerations.
HUD guidance and next steps
HUD representatives who visited Hagerstown earlier this summer urged the city to continue refining its strategies while preparing for an application for the competitive implementation grant. While federal funding remains uncertain, the Housing Authority is exploring state tax credits and other financing tools to keep projects moving forward.
Griffith noted that even without the federal award, state programs offer 4 percent non-competitive tax credits and 9 percent competitive credits as possible funding avenues. “The choice grant opens doors,” he said, “but we’re not stopping if it doesn’t come through. We’re committed to these projects.”
A vision for the future
Council members responded with cautious optimism. Councilman Kristin Aleshire pressed for a clear structure to ensure residents aren’t left without options during transitions. Councilwoman Ericka Bell and Councilwoman Tiara Burnett both requested continued updates, while other members emphasized the importance of balancing growth with services like education and transportation.
“This is about more than just buildings,” Paul said. “It’s about stabilizing families, strengthening neighborhoods and changing the narrative of housing in Hagerstown.”
If approved and funded, the Choice Neighborhoods projects could take shape over the next several years, transforming aging public housing into vibrant, mixed-income communities while creating new opportunities for families and businesses alike.
