Demo project underway in Maryland

The government of Frederick, Maryland, says the demolition process is now underway at the site of a former newspaper printing press operation slated to become a hotel and convention center.

“This project represents untapped potential for economic growth, for smart, sustainable development, and for creating opportunities for families in Frederick,” says Michael O'Connor, mayor of Frederick.

The city refers to the project as being a $100 million public-private partnership designed to “boost local tourism and transform downtown Frederick into a premier destination for conferences and events.” Frederick is located in central Maryland about 50 miles west of Baltimore.

The building being demolished formerly housed print operations for the Frederick News-Post newspaper.

An online report by Hotel-Online.com from this February says the Frederick News-Post structure to be demolished sits on 2.6 acres of land adjacent to another building that may be renovated.

The adjacent 41,000-square-foot Trolley Building may be renovated to host mixed retail and office tenants, according to a July announcement by Frederick-based Bates Architecture PC.

A December ceremony attended by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and other state and local officials marked the start of the demolition phase of the planned redevelopment project.

The decline in daily newspaper circulation has led to several recent or potential future projects for the demolition sector in locations including: Tampa, Florida; Akron, Ohio; and Chicago.