(3/27) At the March 1 meeting, the Thurmont Town Council approved the purchase of a deprecated Main Street building for renovation.

An $80,000 Strategic Demolition grant was received from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Despite the name, the historic building will not be knocked down, but purchased and modernized.

The location has been vacant for years after the previous owner faced permit difficulty, Chief Financial Officer James Humerick said.

The location was intended as a bar at one point and the restoration will include replacing flooring and removing kitchen equipment followed by new flooring and plumbing.

The council agreed the property has been a "blight" on the town and for sale "far too long". At this point revitalization efforts are a much better use of the Town’s time and the funds are available.

"We’re not putting any money out of our pocket, so it’s something we can and should do," Commissioner Wayne Hooper said.

Over the years the council has been vexed on how to attract visitors, as well as business, to the downtown area. The council has been looking for ways to create excitement and activity downtown that will draw people to the area and peak their interest. Business and foot traffic in the downtown area has taken a nosedive and lamented the lost businesses in the last few decades.

Kinnard said he refused to see Thurmont befall the tragedy of too many towns in which beautiful architectural buildings are left vacant in favor of strip malls at the end of town. "The downtown is the heart of our town," he said.

The purchasing and remodeling of the 6 Main Street building provides the first opportunity, and the first step, in creating a new location for the downtown community, he said.

Thurmont has been part of the Main Street USA program of revitalizing historic downtown areas for about 18 years, "and we’ve benefited more than I ever dreamed we would," Mayor John Kinnaird said.

The renovation falls under Thurmont’s master plan to revitalize and create a more vibrant downtown area.

As both Mayor and a local business owner, Kinnard was in favor of the purchase of the property as a great first step to make a positive difference in the downtown area. "Whenever you have a business, it benefits every business in town," he said.