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CCID Partners with Beep to Develop Learnings for Future Cumberland Sweep Mobility Strategy

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) is proud to announce its partnership with Beep, a national leader in multi-passenger and electric autonomous mobility solutions, to launch the Cumberland Hopper, an autonomous shuttle pilot program providing additional connectivity throughout the Cumberland district. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in transforming transportation options within Cumberland, offering enhanced connectivity, sustainability, and convenience to the business community, residents, and visitors. The pilot program will launch on July 25^th and will operate through March 2024, demonstrating the Cumberland CID’s commitment to delivering safe and reliable mobility options to the growing Cumberland community.

The Cumberland Hopper, presented by the Cumberland CID in collaboration with Beep, will provide an enhanced and efficient complimentary transportation service by leveraging Beep’s advanced autonomous mobility solutions and national experience.

During the pilot program, the Cumberland Hopper autonomous shuttle will operate along two designated routes, connecting key destinations as part of a major mobility project in development by the Cumberland CID called the Cumberland Sweep. The eight-month pilot program will connect visitors, residents, and the community to destinations around Cobb Galleria and to The Battery.

The pilot program’s duration, from July 2023 to March 2024, will provide CCID the data collection, performance evaluation, and community feedback to further define and develop the long-term Cumberland Sweep mobility strategy which will be implemented over the next several years. The Sweep is a three-mile plus corridor of dedicated walking and biking lanes strategically designed to connect key destinations throughout the core of the Cumberland CID. The future multimodal path will improve accessibility, enhance safety, and provide alternative transportation options, reducing reliance on traditional car commutes. With the Cumberland Sweep, the business community, residents, and visitors can effortlessly traverse the Cumberland area, accessing prominent locations such as The Battery Atlanta, Truist Park, Cumberland Mall, Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), reducing carbon emissions and improved traffic flow.

“We are excited to partner with Beep, a leader in autonomous mobility, to bring the Cumberland Hopper autonomous shuttle pilot program to the Cumberland CID,” said Kim Menefee, Executive Director of the Cumberland CID. “By embracing Beep’s cutting-edge solutions, we are providing our community with a sustainable and convenient transportation option that prioritizes connectivity and safety. The Cumberland Hopper presented by the Cumberland CID represents our commitment to innovation and progress, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our district.”

Beep, renowned for its expertise in autonomous mobility solutions, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Cumberland Hopper pilot program as the autonomous solution provider having multiple active deployments across the county. As a trusted partner, Beep’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and reliability aligns perfectly with the Cumberland CID’s vision for sustainable growth and connectivity within the district.

“We are delighted to partner with the Cumberland CID to bring autonomous mobility to the Cumberland community,” said Joe Moye, CEO, Beep, Inc. “Our cutting-edge autonomous solutions are designed to provide equal access to transportation and streamlined connectivity to communities across the country. The Cumberland Hopper pilot program exemplifies our shared mission of providing safe and effective transportation, and we are excited to showcase the benefits of autonomous mobility to the Cumberland CID.”

The launch of the Cumberland Hopper pilot program as part of the development of the Cumberland Sweep project marks a significant milestone in the Cumberland CID’s ongoing efforts to enhance mobility and foster economic growth within the district. By collaborating with Beep, the Cumberland CID reinforces its position as a catalyst for sustainable development and progress. Learn more about the Cumberland Hopper at https://cumberlandsweep.org/

Commercial property owners of the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) elected Stephen Gentry to the Cumberland CID Board of Directors at a Caucus of Electors Thursday morning. Gentry filled an open post created by the retirement of Vice Chair Connie Engel from the Board.

Gentry represents Genuine Parts Company (GPC) located in the Wildwood Office Complex. A Fortune 200 global distributor of automotive and industrial parts, GPC serves customers from a network of more than 10,000 locations across North America, Europe, and Australasia with approximately 58,000 employees in 17 countries.

“It is an honor to be elected to serve on the Cumberland CID’s Board of Directors,” said Gentry. “I am proud to join this 35-year successful organization which has helped transform Cumberland into an economic powerhouse. There is no greater place in the metro region to live, own a business, work, and visit all while enjoying the many unique assets Cumberland has to offer. I look forward to continuing the mission and goals of the Cumberland CID.”

Board members Chris McCoy, Cumberland Mall/Brookfield Properties, Bob Voyles, Seven Oaks Company, and Mike Plant, Braves Development Company, were reelected to the Board.

Connie Engel was first elected to the Board in 2000 as a representative of Childress Klein Properties. As a partner, Engel is highly regarded for her experience in the commercial real estate industry and has built deep relationships in the Cumberland community. Throughout her service on the Board, Engel was instrumental in helping navigate the success of landmark infrastructure projects for the region including the Akers Mill Ramp, Windy Hill Widening and Diverging Diamond Interchange, U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway) Widening, the Akers Mill and Bob Callan Trails, and more.

Stephen Gentry joined GPC as Senior Director in 2018 and served in several finance roles prior to his promotion to Vice President in 2022. In his current role, Gentry leads financial shared services, corporate finance, technical accounting, and financial reporting, among other things. Prior to joining GPC, Gentry served as Senior Director – International Accounting Research at The Coca-Cola Company and Director of Financial Reporting at Aaron’s, Inc. Gentry began his career in 2002 at EY, working in their audit and assurance practice and rising to the level of senior manager, primarily serving large, multinational public companies in manufacturing and distribution. While at EY, Gentry participated in a three-year residency program in EY’s national accounting office in New York, focusing on accounting for complex transactions.

About Cumberland CID

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Today, Cumberland has a $23.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to leading companies including The Home Depot, Papa Johns, TKE, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more. To learn more about the Cumberland CID go to cumberlandcid.org.

(CUMBERLAND) – The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) released its 2021 Economic Impact Analysis today. Since the CID’s last economic impact analysis in 2019, the Cumberland District has continued to show spectacular growth in all sectors including annual economic impact, jobs, residents, real estate, multifamily development, retail, and more. A marquee finding of the analysis revealed that the CID has a $23.6 billion annual economic impact on Georgia and an $18 billion annual economic impact on Cobb County.

“The impact of Cumberland continues to grow,” said Executive Director Kim Menefee. “This analysis validates a thriving, vibrant, and bustling Cumberland community. Traditionally, Cumberland was known as a major employment center. Today, we are so much more with younger, more diverse residents moving into the District and visitors being attracted to our cultural and natural amenities like the Atlanta Braves, The Battery Atlanta, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, the Chattahoochee River, 38 miles of trails, and over 840 acres of national parkland.”

“When the CID was established 34 years ago, no one dreamed we would be seeing these kinds of figures today,” said John Shern, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cumberland CID. “We are in a new wave of development for Cumberland, and I’m proud of the strategic investments and partnerships the CID has made to help make Cumberland a place where people want business and entertainment destination.”

The analysis showed the Cumberland District is more diverse with Blacks/African Americans and Whites/Caucasians each making up 40% of the population. Asians now represent 13% of the population. Real estate development continues in the District. Nearly four and a half million square feet of new real estate development is in pipeline over the next five years. This includes all sectors such as office, multifamily, hospitality, and retail. Overall, the Cumberland District provides a net benefit to Cobb County generating nearly $140 million to Cobb County and Cobb County Schools.

Key Economic Impact Analysis Findings:

The Cumberland CID Economic Impact Analysis was conducted by the KB Advisory Group. Some of the key findings include:

• The Cumberland CID has a total annual economic impact of $23.6 billion on Georgia, up from $20 billion in 2019.
• The Cumberland CID has a total annual economic impact of $18 billion on Cobb County, up from $15 billion in 2019.
• The Cumberland CID currently has an estimated 3,304 businesses that support 83,840 employees.
• Retail is the top job sector with 17,000 jobs.
• 30,000 residents now live in Cumberland. 40% of those residents are Millennials.
• Almost 40% of the CID’s residents are Millennials, the largest demographic in Cumberland CID.
• Racial diversity breakdown: 40% White/Caucasian, 40% Black/African American, 13% Asian.
• Nearly 4.5 million commercial and residential space is under construction, planned, or proposed over the next five years.
• The CID generates nearly $140 million for Cobb County and Cobb County Schools.

About Cumberland CID

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes, and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Today, Cumberland has a $23.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy. Cumberland is home to industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies including The Home Depot, HD Supply, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more.

About KB Advisory

For twenty years, KB Advisory Group has focused on helping clients understand how market and economic forces impact their real estate development aspirations. Our advice is grounded in our teams’ deep experience in consulting and implementing for hundreds of satisfied clients. KB understands what it takes to create a feasible development project and turn it into reality. KBA provides advice to developers, landowners, investors, corporations, non-profits, public authorities, and governments dealing with a wide range of real estate-related issues. We take pride in providing our clients insightful, objective analyses based on a thorough understanding of market trends and their financial implications. We are a trusted advisor and determined to go the extra mile in helping our clients achieve their objectives; more than 50% of our assignments are from returning clients who recognize the value of our expertise.   WWW.KBAgroup.com

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ATLANTA, GA – The Cumberland Community Improvement District (Cumberland CID), in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation, today held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new access point to the popular Northwest Corridor Express Lanes from Akers Mill Road. The new access ramp, which will be the newest of 12 access points for the lanes, will serve southbound express lanes users as an exit ramp in the morning and northbound express lanes users as an entrance ramp in the evening.

“With travel times approximately 20 percent faster than the general-purpose lanes, the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes have transformed the way residents of Cobb and Cherokee counties commute to and from work along I-75,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “The Cumberland area has an annual economic impact of $20 billion on Georgia’s economy, and this new access point will provide safe and easy access to the Express Lanes for those who live and work here.”

“Today’s groundbreaking is a marquee achievement for the Cumberland CID,” said John Shern, Chairman of the CCID Board of Directors. “The Akers Mill Ramp will be a critical, access point to help get people in and out of our community both effectively and safely. It’s no secret that Cumberland is growing in all sectors, allowing the Ramp to serve the thousands of businesses, residents, and visitors in the region. I’m proud of the Cumberland CID’s commitment to bring together the necessary partners and stakeholders to plan, fund, and construct successful projects like the Akers Mill Ramp to help enhance the future and success of Cumberland.”

“We have seen tremendous usage of the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes since their opening in 2018,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry. “One of our goals at the Georgia DOT is to ensure the projects we are completing improve safety for Georgia motorists. By creating this new access point, commuters will have a safer and more efficient way to access the Express Lanes system from the Cumberland area.”

The Cumberland CID serves as a major commercial activity center and one of the largest employment centers in the state. Located along I-75 in the thriving northwest corridor in the greater Atlanta region, the Cumberland CID is experiencing tremendous growth. Today, over 3,400 businesses and 29,000 residents call Cumberland home.

The Georgia Express Lanes systems are dynamically priced, meaning as demand for use of the lanes increases, the toll amount rises to ensure that motorists experience more reliable trip times.

“Overall, this project improves mobility and the reliability of commutes facilitating direct, safe access to the Northwest Corridor Express lanes for daily commuters traveling to and from the Cumberland area,” said Chris Tomlinson, SRTA Executive Director. “Given Cumberland’s regional economic importance, this project represents what GTIB is all about – partnership with local, state and federal funding partners to deliver difference-making transportation projects together. The collective investment by all the partners contributes to Atlanta’s Regional economic development making the project extremely impactful to the area.”

“The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes project has been a tremendous success in moving people both through and into Cobb County,” said Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. “This new ramp will finally allow access into a popular destination for people visiting our county and help us manage flow in and out of the area as the attractions here grow and prosper. The efforts of all the stakeholders who worked to make this a reality is greatly appreciated.”

“The Atlanta Regional Commission was proud to partner with the Cumberland CID and allocate funding for this project, which will improve mobility and safety in one of the region’s most important economic hubs,” said Mike Alexander, Senior Director of the Center for Livable Communities at the Atlanta Regional Commission. “This is another example of the Cumberland CID’s commitment to making the innovative investments needed to keep this fast-growing area a great place to live, work and play.”

The ramp will include gates on both ends to ensure safety for reversible directions of travel. The ramp will be 24-feet wide for the reversible lanes plus break-down shoulders and will widen to 50-feet at Akers Mill. It will include a barrier separated entrance to the northbound managed lanes.

Phase I of this project, which included widening of the I-285 bridge over I-75, was completed in 2018 and was funded through Georgia DOT’s existing Northwest Corridor construction contract. The second phase of this project, estimated to cost $18.2 million, which consists of constructing the ramp, is anticipated to be complete in 2023.

Commercial property owners of the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) elected Alex Valente and Chris McCoy to the Cumberland CID Board of Directors at a Caucus of Electors Thursday morning. Valente and McCoy filled two open seats created by the retirement of Mason Zimmerman and Steven Barnhouse from the Board. Board Chairman John Shern also was re-elected.

Valente represents Piedmont Office Realty Trust which owns The Galleria Atlanta, comprised of five office buildings, three development sites, and an 8-acre park, making this the largest office complex in Northwest Atlanta. McCoy represents Brookfield Properties which owns the Cumberland Mall.

“It is an honor to be elected and to serve on the Cumberland CID’s Board of Directors,” said Valente. “With the Galleria Atlanta located in the heart of the Cumberland, we are heavily invested in the success of the CID. My focus will be to continue to strengthen the efforts and goals of the CID and further position Cumberland as a great place to live, work, and visit.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity entrusted by the commercial property owners of Cumberland to be a part of the Board,” said McCoy. “Representing Cumberland Mall, I have seen firsthand how projects of the Cumberland CID have enhanced our community. The CID, along with its partners, have been a leader in making the region more attractive, more accessible, and more connected.”

Zimmerman was first elected to the Board in 2003 as a representative of Pope and Land Enterprises, Inc. Barnhouse was elected to the Board in 2018 and represented Olshan Properties. Both Zimmerman and Barnhouse made important contributions and helped to shape the direction of the Cumberland CID during years of significant growth. John Shern represents The Home Depot and has served as a Board Member since the inception of the Cumberland CID in 1988.

About Cumberland CID

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is one of the nation’s premier models of public-private collaboration. More than 190 Commercial property owners pay additional property taxes and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, better connectivity, and a more vibrant character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for the community by initiating and leading enhancements to make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Cumberland is home to industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies including The Home Depot, HD Supply, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company and more.

Cumberland CID Board Members, From left to right: Alex Valente, Bob Voyles, Connie Engel, John Shern, Barry Teague, and Chris McCoy. Not pictured: Mike Plant.

(CUMBERLAND)- The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) launched a new bike share station on Tuesday at the Galleria Gardens. The station located in the Galleria Office Park Complex now brings the Cumberland Bike Share to seven stations. The launch showcased bike test rides, information about the Cumberland Bike Share, giveaways, and featured trails in Cumberland using the Cumberland CID’s website cumberlandtrails.org.

“We are thrilled to feature this bike station within one of the largest most bustling office centers in the region,” said Kim Menefee, executive director of the Cumberland CID. “We appreciate the partnership with Piedmont Office Realty Trust and Childress Klein to bring bike share to their tenants and the surrounding Cumberland community.. The CID Bike Share program is designed to provide a viable transportation alternative to explore and discover the best of what Cumberland has to offer.”

Because of the Cumberland CID’s strategic investments in trails and connectivity, Cumberland has evolved into a hub of greenway and regional trail connections that attracts walkers, joggers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Cumberland Bike Share and the Cumberland Trails Network connect visitors and residents to Cumberland’s vibrant core area, including The Battery, Truist Park, Cobb Galleria Centre, and more.

To find out more about station locations, visit Cumberland Bike Share webpage (https://www.cumberlandtrails.org/cumberland-bike-share/.) To rent a bike, download the Movatic app on your smartphone and follow the registration guide.

About Cumberland Trails

Cobb County’s largest commercial district serves as a hub for urban trails, with nearly 38 miles of trails for residents and visitors to explore and interact with Cumberland’s rich natural assets. The multifaceted trail network has many spokes that wind through Cumberland’s vibrant core area, joining eateries, shops, Truist Park, 840 acres of national parkland and more—with some trails connecting to the Silver Comet Trail and eventually to the Atlanta BeltLine.

About Cumberland CID

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia’s first CID, is a premier model public-private partnership in the country. Over 190 Commercial property owners pay an additional property tax and the CID leverages these funds to advance key projects for increased access, connectivity, and character throughout the Cumberland area. Each year, the CID creates more value for investors by initiating and leading the enhancements that make Cumberland a more attractive place to operate a business, to work, and to live. Cumberland is home to Fortune 500 companies like The Home Depot, HD Supply, Comcast, Genuine Parts Company, and more.