Hagerstown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hagerstown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Route 40 parking removal for bike lanes
The state's conceptual plan would strip parking from one side of Franklin and Washington Streets downtown for a bike lane. The council is pushing back now, while plans are only 5% designed, and will send a letter demanding a local parking demand study.
Residential permit parking near Meredith Park
Historic Heights residents lose street parking during Boxcars games, with only about 190 marked spaces for roughly 300 households. Council is weighing a voluntary permit program for baseball season — free first sticker, fee for a second, and fines for violators — but debated scope and how to handle visitors, businesses and non-residents.
Northern Avenue sidewalk replacement
Sidewalks on the north side of Northern Avenue near Fountain Dale Elementary and Northern Middle School have been deteriorating for years. Council wants a summer replacement project using highway user revenue and asked about county cost-sharing, since the fronting properties are outside city limits.
Regional road capacity around Emmerich Road and Beaver Creek
Councilmember Aleshire spent much of the meeting worrying that new development on old country roads near I-81 and Dual Highway will create dangerous traffic conditions no government has planned for. Staff agreed to reach out to the county and State Highway Administration.