A Look at the Future of Cumberland: 2009 CID Board Retreat Update

Each year, the Cumberland CID Board members gather for a strategic planning retreat to reflect on the past year, current projects and next steps for the future. This year’s retreat took place on May 28th and proved to be a productive and insightful session for all.

Building on the 2008 Annual Retreat theme of It’s a New Day Which Calls for a New Paradigm, the 2009 retreat theme could best be summed up by one comment from Sam Olens, Cobb County and Atlanta Regional Commission Chairman: the CID will need to do more.

Funding was the focus of the day, and the discussion stressed the CID’s continued priority of identifying federal, state and local funding avenues to bring its projects to construction. The board looked at an anticipated $13 million for capital improvement projects over the next four years. The prioritized list of road, streetscape and trail projects will be compiled this summer with action taken in the near future.

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Project Update: Cumberland Boulevard Becomes Greener

If you’ve driven along Cumberland Boulevard at Akers Mill Road lately, you have probably noticed some new greenery along the median and at intersections. Working with ValleyCrest, the CID has invested $850,000 in this corridor and others as part of a new landscape enhancement program.

This fall, similar landscaping will be installed at the following locations:

• Paces Ferry Road and I-285
• Cobb Parkway and I-285
• Cumberland Boulevard and I-75
• Windy Hill and I-75
• Along the Powers Ferry Corridor

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Project Update: Cobb Parkway (US 41) Bridge Replacement

The CID is currently working on a schedule to make the Cobb Parkway (US 41) Bridge Replacement project eligible to receive funds from Phase II of the Federal Stimulus package, which are expected this fall. From design to construction, the bridge replacement project is estimated at $12.5 million.

Located just south of Paces Mill Road, the Cobb Parkway bridge was built in 1935. The replacement project includes a widened design with approaches on either side to accommodate a future six-lane section, improved pedestrian and bicycle movement, as well as improved access to the Chattahoochee National Recreation Center. Cobb and CID officals are hoping for final approval by year-end with construction soon after.

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Commuter Club Burns Calories and Vehicle Miles Driven

From April 20 – April 24, 2009, Commuter Club hosted a series of walking events in the Cumberland Galleria area in honor of Earth Day.

The event hosted 160 participants who walked approximately 320,000 steps and burned 16,000 calories throughout the week. The participants reduced more than 160 vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) during lunchtime alone. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Now is a great time to join one of the Cumberland Galleria area’s existing vanpools to save money on commute-related expenses while reducing VMTs. Click here to view a complete list of vanpools that are now adding riders.

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View Highlights from the Cumberland Galleria Showcase

Cobb County community leaders, civic boosters, residents and investors gathered to celebrate the success of the county’s convention and cultural hub at the Cumberland Galleria Showcase on February 11, 2009.

Click here to view a sizzle reel from the event.

Keep an eye out for details on the 2010 Showcase.

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