Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

Brunswick Main Street’s Design Committee works hard to create an attractive Downtown for people to visit, interact, live, and work. Through offering a facade grant program, creating and implementing a Downtown Masterplan, and working to improve our green spaces we are doing our part to making Brunswick’s Downtown a destination for citizens and tourists alike.

Current Projects

1. Creating a Downtown Revitalization Plan
2. Cleaning up the downtown sidewalks and storefronts for Railroad Days completed!
3. Revitalizing Martin’s Creek as an attractive greenspace
4. Investing the remainder of our $140,000 NBW Facade Grant into our downtown buildings
5. Purchase and install bike racks on Maple Avenue and Potomac Street delivered and awaiting installation
6. Work with other Brunswick organizations to create a Train Viewing Area
7. Citizen Lot Revitalization Park Project
8. Design Work Shop for Property and Business Owners
9. Clean up the Sidewalks and Storefront Windows

Facade Grants

Brunswick Main Street was recently awarded $200,000 through the DHCD’s program the Neighborhood Business Works (NBW). We used this money to create a facade grant program for buildings that qualify in our downtown.

Any building owner or business owner in the Downtown Brunswick area can apply for a 50% matching grant to complete facade work on their building. All projects must meet not only Brunswick Main Street’s approval but that of the NBW and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) to ensure that the facade project is in keeping with the historical architecture of the building and the downtown area.

Anyone wishing to apply for this grant is encouraged to download our Facade Grant Application as well as Downtown Facade Guidelines, fill out the application and return to our office. Also check out our design guidelines below for more information. If you have any questions about how our grant is administered or what types of projects we do approve please download the Facade Grant Overview or call our office at (301) 834-5591.

Current Facade Projects

13, 15, 17 West Potomac Street

Just recently purchased by the Brown family, an application awaiting approval from the Maryland Historical Trust is the only thing keeping this property owner from beginning a major exterior construction project.  The interior, already renovated is now housed by Wendy’s Knit Shop, Head Quarters, and Brunswick Main Street.  The upstairs will soon be rented out to residents looking to be downtown and right in the middle of the action of Downtown Revitalization.

 

15 – 19 East Potomac Street
The Fall of 2008 saw the approval of the Facade Grant project Sharon and Ted Lapkoff submitted to revitalize their property. Their building was joined with a continuous facade to 15/17 East Potomac St., which has also just completed its Facade Grant work. Both of these owners participated in the About Face Program with the University of Maryland. Returning these two facades closer to their original style and and detail is a great benefit for the overall beautification of the Square Corner Park area.

3/5 South Maple Avenue

This property will get a new look for the street side of the building, but the really exciting news is the rear courtyard and multilevel deck. A new precedent has been set for buildings facing the Railroad Station and Railroad Square. Through the Facade Grant program the Brunswick Historic District has been given the go ahead at the state level to begin reorienting its main business areas to appeal to the commuter gateway. If you have a business or property which faces toward main commuter pathways, contact Main Street to investigate if you can be eligible for assistance.

111 West Potomac Street

Recently, the City of Brunswick approved the site plan for Mr. Tony Launi to move ahead with new construction. Mr. Launi participated in the About Face Program. His new building plan, largely inspired by the work done with the students, honors the architectural traditions of our Historic Downtown and aligns with the Maryland Historic Trust criterion for professional offices or small businesses, with a spacious retail environment on the first level. Due to the collapse of the current structure, we are currently working with the state, seeking approval and assistance in funding for removal of the largely damaged and unusable portions of the structure. Mr. Launi is eager to partner with any of our local organizations who may be looking for a new location. At this planning stage,a good opportunity exists to custom craft a new business space. Interested parties can contact Mr. Launi through Main Street. We are hoping to see work begin this Spring.