Governor joins groundbreaking celebration for downtown hotel project
One of Downtown Frederick’s most anticipated development projects reached a major milestone on Friday with the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Downtown Frederick Hotel and Conference Center along Carroll Creek.
Governor Wes Moore joined Plamondon Hospitality Partners, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Mayor Michael O’Connor, and other state and local officials to mark the start of construction on the $104 million, full-service Marriott-branded hotel at 20 S. Carroll Street. The project has been more than a decade in the making and is expected to be completed in 2027.
The development will feature 204 guest rooms, more than 26,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and conference space, multiple dining options, and a 250-space public parking garage. Once completed, it will be the only facility in Frederick City and County capable of hosting large-scale conferences and business events under one roof.
“This groundbreaking represents our commitment to investing in Frederick’s future,” Governor Moore said, noting the project’s importance to the local and state economy. He highlighted the hotel and conference center as a strategic investment that will strengthen tourism, support local businesses, and enhance Frederick’s role as a regional destination.
The project is expected to create approximately 200 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, generate more than $4 million annually in state and local tax revenue, and spur over $100 million in additional downtown development. Over the next 25 years, it is projected to generate $1.5 billion in new private-sector spending. The development comes as Frederick’s tourism economy continues to grow, with visitor spending reaching a record $564 million in 2024.
State funding for the project includes a combination of capital budget investments and Strategic Demolition Fund support totaling more than $23 million across multiple fiscal years. Frederick County and the City of Frederick have also committed a combined $4.5 million toward the project.
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort, calling the project an example of what strong partnerships can achieve. She noted that the hotel and conference center will help Frederick attract regional events, support local employers, and strengthen the downtown economy year-round.
Mayor Michael O’Connor described the project as a fulfillment of a long-term vision for Carroll Creek and downtown Frederick, crediting decades of planning and advocacy by local leaders, including former Mayor and State Senator Ron Young.
Plamondon Hospitality Partners Co-President Peter Plamondon Jr. said the groundbreaking represents both a milestone and a commitment to Frederick’s continued growth, adding that the company has operated in the community for nearly 30 years.
The Downtown Frederick Hotel and Conference Center is expected to play a central role in the city’s economic development strategy, supporting tourism, job creation, and long-term revitalization of the downtown corridor.
