HAGERSTOWN – Hagerstown officials and planning consultants have launched a sweeping update to the city’s 10-year Downtown Plan, aiming to chart the next phase of revitalization and investment through 2035. The update, which builds upon the city’s 2014 strategy, was presented during the July 15 mayor and council Work Session by Emily Conrad, economic development coordinator, and Christopher Lankenau of Urban Partners, the firm leading the planning process.
The initiative is branded as “My Downtown Hagerstown” and is focused on identifying feasible, community-supported projects that will drive continued growth, economic opportunity and connectivity within the city center and surrounding neighborhoods.
A track record of progress
Hagerstown’s original downtown revitalization plan, adopted in 2014, helped catalyze multiple public and private investments over the last decade. Now, with many of the original goals accomplished, the city is turning to residents, business owners and community stakeholders to help shape the next generation of growth.
“You’ve implemented almost every project you had outlined in the last plan,” Lankano told the mayor and council. “Now it’s time to build on that momentum.”
Consultants bring a local focus
Urban Partners, based in Philadelphia, returns as lead consultant for the project. They are joined by urban design and landscape architecture firm MKSK, which is coordinating community outreach and creating visual renderings of the proposed improvements.
The planning process officially began in April and is expected to continue through December. The final product will be a clear and actionable framework for investment, including a set of “catalytic projects” identified through market analysis and public input.
Public participation at the center
Outreach is a cornerstone of the plan. Conrad and Lankano emphasized the need for inclusive engagement to ensure the updated vision reflects the priorities of the whole community. A project website, mydowntownhagerstown.com, has been launched to share information and collect feedback.
So far, more than 350 people have completed an online survey. The survey remains open, and residents are encouraged to participate throughout the summer.
Additional community input is being gathered through:
- Nine roundtable discussions with different stakeholder groups, including nonprofits, arts and culture leaders, downtown business owners, and youth.
- Three public meetings, including an initial open house, a mid-process presentation with Q&A, and a final presentation of draft recommendations.
- Pop-up outreach booths at local events, including an upcoming appearance at a Flying Boxcars baseball game on July 19.
Lankano noted the value of virtual sessions in reaching participants with limited time or mobility and highlighted the city’s interest in including high school students in the process.
“One idea raised by the council was integrating the survey into early back-to-school activities,” he said. “This is about their future, too.”
A data-driven path to feasibility
Beyond community input, Urban Partners is conducting an in-depth market assessment of downtown’s potential for retail, housing, commercial, entertainment and hotel development. The results will help guide the selection of projects that are both desirable and viable.
Unlike visionary plans that remain on the shelf, the consultants emphasized that this effort will be “implementation-focused,” with a focus on cost-benefit analysis and potential return on investment.
The final plan will include visual renderings, site-specific recommendations and strategies to attract development partners.
Strengthening connections
Another priority of the plan is to improve connections between downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, both physically and through shared amenities and events. Lankano said these connections are key to long-term economic vitality and social cohesion.
“The downtown isn’t isolated,” he said. “It’s part of a broader fabric, and we’re making sure that’s reflected in the plan.”
Looking ahead
City officials say the update is an opportunity to reaffirm Hagerstown’s identity and aspirations.
“It’s important that everyone has a voice,” Conrad told the council. “And we want that voice to show up in a plan that’s clear, actionable and forward-looking.”
The final plan is scheduled for presentation and adoption in December. In the meantime, residents can take the survey and learn more by visiting mydowntownhagerstown.com.
