The City of Gaithersburg officially dedicated Sidney A. Katz Plaza on Friday, September 18, renaming Olde Towne Plaza in honor of former Gaithersburg Mayor and current Montgomery County Council Member Sidney A. Katz.
The dedication recognized Katz’s nearly five decades of public service and longstanding ties to Gaithersburg. The ceremony included remarks from Mayor Jud Ashman, Katz, other elected officials and members of the Katz family, followed by the unveiling of the new plaza sign.
“Sidney’s guidance, patience, and leadership have influenced countless public servants, community leaders, and neighbors who simply wanted to make Gaithersburg a better place,” Ashman said. “He has always led with humility, kindness, a great sense of humor, and a genuine love for this community.”
Katz reflected on his family’s history in Olde Towne, which dates back more than a century. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Lithuania and opened a store in Olde Towne in 1918.
“I am truly honored and truly humbled by this,” Katz said. “They came here for the same reason people are coming here today: to prosper, to be part of the community, and to be respected in the community and respect others. Gaithersburg and Montgomery County have always been places where dreams come true, and I sincerely appreciate the City for honoring me this way.”
A lifelong Gaithersburg resident and Gaithersburg High School graduate, Katz began his public service on the Gaithersburg Planning Commission, serving from 1976 to 1978. He joined the City Council in 1978 and was appointed mayor in 1998 following the death of Mayor W. Edward Bohrer Jr. Katz was subsequently elected mayor and remained in the position until 2014, when he joined the Montgomery County Council.
During Katz’s time in city government, Gaithersburg experienced significant development, including Downtown Crown, Spectrum Town Center and the Parklands, while the city continued preservation efforts in historic Olde Towne.
Katz also has deep business ties to the area. His family operated Wolfson’s Department Store, founded in 1918, which served the Olde Towne community for generations.
