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NEWS RELEASE

November 24, 2009

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Executive Ulman & Council Member Watson Announce Good News for Historic Ellicott City

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and County Council member Courtney Watson announced good news that directly impacts Historic Ellicott City’s local merchants, businesses and the patrons that support them.

First, they announced that metered parking in the Historic District will be free for two of the season’s biggest shopping weekends. The free metered parking will be available to shoppers November 26, 27, 28 and 29, the four days of the extended Thanksgiving weekend. The second free weekend will be December 4, 5 and 6 during the 32nd annual Midnight Madness Celebration in Ellicott City.

Ulman and Watson also announced that they have co-sponsored a resolution that will be pre-filed with the Howard County Council today supporting the application for a “Designated Neighborhood” status for the Historic District. The designation is also a prerequisite for Ellicott City becoming a Main Street Maryland community.

“We think it is important to do all we can to help local small businesses weather this challenging economy,” said Executive Ulman. “Last year’s free parking was a tremendous success and a real incentive for shoppers to buy local and patronize the merchants who work so hard to earn their business. The ‘Designated Neighborhood’ status would give merchants and business owners access to state funding and give us the opportunity to better position the area for a future “Main Street Maryland” application.”

“Short term, we hope free parking on two of the busiest shopping weekends will help local businesses by encouraging residents to take advantage of all the great things to see and do in the Historic District,” said Council member Courtney Watson. “Looking farther out, both the ‘Designated Neighborhood’ and ‘Main Street Maryland’ programs have the potential to support and strengthen our redevelopment and revitalization efforts in the community.”

The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation asked the County to consider two weekends of free parking during the holidays this year. Downtown Ellicott City is an incredibly unique place to visit: great shops, restaurants and galleries – add free parking to the mix and there can’t be a better place to do your holiday shopping. We appreciate the County’s support,” said Foundation President Ed Lilley.

There are a total of four metered parking areas in downtown Ellicott City. The four areas offer more than 140 spaces. Signs notifying customers of the free parking will be placed at the entrance of all four locations.

Parking on Main Street, which is not metered, is still limited to two hours. The County does ask patrons of downtown Ellicott City to consider limiting parking to two hours or less – that way more people can take advantage of this unique opportunity.