History of the Project

The Tourism Council of Frederick County began searching in early 2000 for a site along the proposed extension of East Street in Frederick to a planned new interchange on I-70. This was at about the time that the MD State Highway Administration developed the plans for the new interchange, with a bridge over I-70 connecting to an extension of MD85. The Tourism Council recognized the significance of this future improvement to downtown Frederick access, creating a new gateway to Frederick's historic area, one of the top visitor destinations in this region of the State. Likewise, the proposed improvements will provide more convenient connections among the highways that feed into Frederick from all directions.

A visitor center along this new access road would meet long-term goals of the organization to achieve better visibility of the visitor information center by motorists shortly after they exit the highway.

The Tourism Council has also long desired to have more space in which to serve visitors with the opportunity to show an orientation film; to present exhibits and displays in addition to the standard offerings of brochures and maps; to better accommodate group tours by providing more adequate restroom facilities than previously available; and to have room for a group to gather indoors while reassembling before reboarding a motor coach. The goal was to have a facility that could serve as the tourist information center about local, regional and Statewide offerings of interest to visitors, including displays, maps and guides for initiatives such as the Historic National Road, Journey THrough Hallowed Ground /Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway, other State Scenic Byways, and Maryland Civil War Trails, in addition to serving as the local visitor center for the City of Frederick, Frederick County, and surrounding region.

Likewise the site is centrally located in the three-county Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, and will serve travelers interested in following two of Maryland's Civil War Trail driving tours which pass through downtown Frederick. As envisioned, the center will cross-promote these assorted programs to visitors who arrive because of their interest in any one aspect of the area.

After identifying the above goals, the Tourism Council Board of Directors evaluated a number of potential sites along the proposed East Street extension. Criteria that were important to the Board included:

• A site directly on the East Street extension for maximum visibility to motorists exiting from either direction of I-70/US40 at the new interchange, or reaching this key interchange via MD 85, MD 355 or I-270.
   
• A site that was within easy walking distance of downtown Frederick.
   
• A site that was close to the new MARC rail passenger station in downtown Frederick, which also houses the Greyhound/Trailways bus terminal and serves as a hub for Frederick County TransIt operation.
   
• Ideally in an historic structure to complement Frederick's historic district and the heritage of the region.

After examining the potentially available properties in the desired area, the Tourism Council Board chose the warehouse building. The building was vacant. It was on the former Monocacy Valley Canning Company site that had been purchased by the City of Frederick in order to acquire right-of-way for the East Street extension.

The Tourism Council offered to purchase the site from the City of Frederick. The City agreed to sell the site to the organization at an attractive price, in spite of the strong demand for the City-owned sites along the Carroll Creek flood control/park project and the East Street extension alignment. Settlement occurred in December 2005.