Message from the Executive Director: Envisioning Cumberland in 2020

Each May, the Cumberland CID Board of Directors and staff step back from day-to-day activities to conduct a strategic planning session, reflecting on previous years and looking forward to the future.

This year, the CID maintained its longstanding strategy of positioning larger, more expensive projects for external funding sources, such as federal and state funds. Short-term, the board and staff will emphasize quality of life initiatives and aggressively push for mass transit as part of its ten-year vision for a livable, growth-oriented community.

To that end, the CID has several initiatives underway. The Congress for New Urbanism’s CNU18 May conference brought in suburban retrofit experts from around the country to identify the ideal sustainable transit-oriented development plan for the Cumberland area. This effort will lay the groundwork for the CID to apply for a variety of grant programs being made available through various federal agencies.

Pictured here is a rendering of a potential transit-oriented development plan in the center of the CID.

Additionally, not wanting to rest on the success of the community-wide greening and cleanup, the CID Board challenged staff to submit a list of additional projects that would improve the area. Be on the lookout for graffiti removal, trails and other aesthetic enhancements in the near future.

Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to contact me with questions or comments.

Best,

Malaika Rivers
Executive Director, Cumberland CID

< Top

Governor Perdue Awards Grant to CID

Governor Perdue announced the Cumberland CID received a Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grant totaling $445,000 on June 30.

Cumberland CID Executive Director Malaika Rivers and CID Board Member Mason Zimmerman accepted the GTIB grant (shown here with Governor Sonny Perdue).

When combined with an investment of $111,000 from the CID and a GTIB loan, the grant will be used to improve the congestion, safety and appearance of the Cumberland Parkway/Paces Ferry Road intersection near the Paces Ferry/I-285 Interchange.

Both vehicles and pedestrians are expected to benefit from the almost $1 million improvement project, which will contribute to improved traffic flow and reduced peak hour congestion and delays for local and thru traffic.

The project will include the installation of traffic signal mast arms and pedestrian countdown signals, improved sidewalks, enhanced landscaping, and a reconfiguration of the turning movements onto Cumberland Parkway and into nearby shopping centers.

Construction is slated to begin this fall, with project completion estimated in 2011.

< Top

Project Update: New Signage and Streetscapes

This summer, you will notice construction of several streetscapes throughout the area. As part of the Cumberland CID’s accelerated streetscape program, look for sidewalk, median and landscaping improvements along Cumberland Boulevard, Akers Mill Road and Cobb Galleria Parkway.

The CID is also continuing its gateway signage program to designate and enhance the Cumberland area. Two vertical signs are at the Cumberland Boulevard/I-75 interchange and one vertical sign has been installed at Powers Ferry Road. Landscaping and finishing touches around the newest sign, located at the Cobb Parkway/I-285 interchange, are complete.

The Cumberland CID’s newest sign, located at the Cobb Parkway/I-285 interchange

You will also notice ongoing beautification and landscaping at the following locations:

• I-285 and Paces Ferry Road
• I-75 and Cumberland Boulevard
• I-75 and Windy Hill Road

< Top

Commuter Club Challenges Employees to Track Their Treks

Commuter Club recently completed Track Your Trek, its Walk Challenge that encourages area employees to start walking and save money by reducing vehicle miles traveled. More than 1,000 pedometers were given out to people in the Cumberland CID, who logged more than one million steps in May. Congratulations to Tamara Wilhite, who logged 610,955 steps and won this year’s challenge!

Did you know that the CID is situated among 1,200+ acres of woodlands in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area? A complete listing and map of Cobb County trails is available here.

If you work in the Cumberland area and are interested in joining a vanpool or learning more about how the program can benefit your employees, watch our new three-minute video at www.commuterclub.com.

< Top