City Update for 05.13.2026

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting.Clear. Direct. Straight from the City.Episode Links:City Climate Action Progress Dashboard - frederickmd.gov/climate-actionCounty Climate Action Dashboard - FrederickCountyMD.gov/ClimateActionHarvest of Hope - frederickmd.gov/Harvest-of-Hope Harvest of Hope Volunteer Registration - frederickmd.gov/HarvestofHopeVolunteer Public Meetings - frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings #cityoffrederick #localnews #frederickmd

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!The African American Research and Cultural Heritage Society (AARCH) is preparing to open its new Heritage Center in downtown Frederick, creating a permanent home for the stories, artifacts, and contributions of African Americans throughout Frederick County and Maryland.We sit down with AARCH Vice President Will Graham AARCH board member Nia Yeboah to discuss the organization’s mission, the long road to opening the Heritage Center, and the importance of preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. They share how family memories, oral histories, genealogy, and historical artifacts help build a fuller picture of Frederick’s past.Learn how you can support ARCH through donations, volunteering, internships, membership, and sharing family stories or historical artifacts. As Nia and Will explain, preserving history is about more than looking back, it’s about understanding the people who came before us and recognizing how the choices we make today shape the stories future generations will tell.#cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #ARCH #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #FrederickHistory #LocalHistory #MarylandHistory #HeritageCenter

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!Former Frederick Mayor Ron Young joins us to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Great Frederick Flood of 1976 and the decades-long effort to turn a devastating flood-control project into one of downtown Frederick’s most recognizable public spaces: Carroll Creek Linear Park.Our former Mayor recounts arriving downtown as floodwaters rose in 1976, seeing the destruction firsthand, and working with residents and business owners in the days that followed. He also shares the story behind Carroll Creek’s transformation, from the early engineering proposals and challenges securing funding to his vision of combining flood control, public space, and economic development.With a statue honoring Young set for dedication on October 11 at Carroll Creek Linear Park, the conversation looks back at the people who helped shape Frederick and the lasting impact of their work. 👉 See more of the Frederick Flood of 1976: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/1ed4a3707aa343dcba34bfc25708faae👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #CarrollCreek #GreatFrederickFlood #FrederickHistory #LocalHistory #MarylandHistory #DowntownFrederick #RonYoung #communitydevelopment

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us on this special LIVE episode, on location at the Frederick Municipal Airport for Frederick's Festival of Flight!Stay connected, stay informed, and explore what’s ahead for Frederick!#frederickmd #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #fdk #festivalofflight #flying #pilots #podcast

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!Join us as we welcome Emma Williams, the City of Frederick’s new Emergency Manager, for an in‑depth conversation about preparedness, public safety, and the evolving landscape of emergency response. With experience supporting emergency operations across the country, Emma shares what brought her to Frederick and what it means to build an emergency management program from the ground up. She explains the daily work behind prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery; why National Preparedness Month matters; and the top hazards facing Frederick, Maryland, including flooding, extreme weather, cyber threats, and hazardous materials.Emma also breaks down how residents can prepare: creating family emergency plans, assembling practical and realistic emergency kits, supporting older neighbors and vulnerable populations, and signing up for ALERT Frederick County notifications to stay informed. 👉 Sign up for CoFAlerts: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612281/new👉 Check out the City's Emergency Management Page: https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/1669/Emergency-Management👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #emergencypreparedness