Plagued by deterioration and stalled redevelopment plans, it looks like the Frederick Towne Mall is being poised for a revival. Can I hear an “Amen?”

Excitement is brewing as new life is being breathed into the dilapidated mall by a New York company that specializes in shopping mall renovation nationwide. DLC Management Corporation, a company with a history of redevelopment success, will be reviving redevelopment plans for the mall.

Original 2006 redevelopment plans were to leave three major anchors in standalone buildings – Bon Ton, Boscovs and the Home Depot. The remainder of the mall was to be completely demolished. A grid street network would replace the existing elongated box shape, and several adult condos were to be built behind the property.

DLC Management President Adam Ifshin stated that the company is working to create an appropriate redevelopment plan that will consider the community, existing economic conditions and the mall itself. DLC is currently making evaluations in order to formulate an effective plan.

Frederick Economic Development Director Richard Griffin said that the redevelopment of the Frederick Towne Mall is paramount in order to sustain the Golden Mile and the town’s west end. The delay of the redevelopment was caused by market conditions and accessibility to financing.

West Patrick Street, AKA the Golden Mile, is considered a primary retail corridor on the west end. Retail businesses on the Golden Mile are essentially strip malls anchored by restaurants, supermarkets and bank branches.

More than 2.6 million sq. ft. of retail and commercial space makes up the Golden Mile. Overall, commercial vacancies, with the exception of the Towne Mall, are well under 10 percent.

According to Griffin, city staff continues to encourage and support property owners to reinvest in their properties along the Golden Mile. In regards to the Frederick Towne Mall renovation, he believes that the DLC will “reinvent the site and put it back into full productive use.” The city is poised to assist the DLC through the process.

Some advantages available to the redevelopment plan at this time are reciprocal property tax credits from the city and the county. With new tax credits and a new developer, maybe the Frederick Towne Mall will experience revitalization in the somewhat near future.