Preservation Maryland

Main Street

The Program: Main Street Maryland is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and established in Maryland in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Nationally, Main Street organizations that make up the Main Street Network have rehabbed more than 251,000 buildings, produced $61.7 billion in investment, and created 528,557 jobs.

Today there are 23 designated Main Street communities across the state and 9 Main Street communities in Baltimore City.

Main Street Maryland Communities

Baltimore Main Street Communities

Maryland communities meeting the following criteria may apply for participation in the Main Street Maryland program:

• A minimum population of 1,000 based on the most recent U.S. Census survey
• Commitment to employ a program manager for a minimum of three years
• Commitment to organize and maintain a volunteer board of directors and committees made up of public and private sector individuals
• Commitment to provide a program budget for a minimum of three years
• Must be a Designated Neighborhood approved by the State of Maryland
• Must have a defined central business district with a significant number of historic commercial buildings.

Our Position: Preservation Maryland emphatically supports the Maryland Main Street program and works with the Department of Housing and Community Development to assist, enhance and promote the work of these organizations whenever possible. Preservation Maryland supports full funding of the program as a component of the Department of Housing and Community Development budget.

Resources

• National Main Street Center
• Main Street Maryland
• Baltimore City Main Streets