COBB’S CHANGE AGENTS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

As early as the 1980s, leaders of Cobb County implement¬ed the Community Improvement District (CID) concept to address transportation issues in key economic corridors of the county. CIDs involve participants who voluntarily increase their prop¬erty taxes in order to stimulate enhancements, such as aesthetic improvements, civic promotion, and long-term property value increases. Here’s a look at the results of that approach in three key areas of Cobb.

Cumberland Cid

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) is one of the most exciting places in the Atlanta region. Today, Cumberland has a $23.6 billion annual economic impact on Georgia’s economy, 3,300 businesses, and 30,000 diverse residents. What previously was a nine-to-five business district is now a cultural and entertainment hub that translates into a rich quality of life and sustainable growth and development for years to come.

With the District being Atlanta’s 5th largest employment center, the Cumberland CID is working to connect people to jobs and community assets through innovative transportation solutions. Currently in progress is the Cumberland Sweep, a three-mile multimodal corridor that will have dedicated walking and biking lanes and an autonomous shuttle system, making travel around Cumberland quick and efficient.

In partnership with the CRNRA, the Cumberland CID is working to rehabilitate and enhance the Paces Mill/Palisades Unit. Established in 1978, plans include protecting the park from erosion by integrating a series of bioswales to filter stormwater runoff before it enters the river. A new visitor information center, improved parking, and greater access to the Chattahoochee River are just some of the major enhancements that will improve the visitor experience.

In Spring 2023, the Cumberland CID plans to cut the ribbon on the Akers Mill Ramp. The Ramp will be a new access point for the popular I-75 Northwest Express Lanes System at Akers Mill Road and will be the newest of 12 access points for the lanes. The Akers Mill Ramp will serve six class A office towers nearby and provide a critical access point to thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors in the region. cumberlandtrails.org

Town Center Cid

Over two decades Town Center CID has built a proud legacy of advancing projects that matter, leading strategically to help make Town Center Community a vibrant place to grow a business, raise a family, shop and work, earn a degree, and enjoy the outdoors.

Town Center CID has innovated throughout its history to meet the needs of the community, helping deliver transformational projects that have made significant transportation, safety, and traffic improvements, like the Skip Spann Connector, Big Shanty Connector and widening, South Barrett Reliever, and Noonday Creek Trail. Working with its business, civic and government partners, the CID identifies pivotal projects that enhance connectivity, health, and economic prosperity. These projects help more parents and students get home for dinner, reduce travel time for the district’s workforce, and expand access to parks and trails.