Friday, May 31, 2019

May 31st Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting


Date: Wednesday, June 5

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

This month's agenda will include information about street cleaning and updates in Fort Sanders, Keep Knoxville Beautiful and a program to reduce litter from cigarette butts, and a great marketing opportunity with East Tennessee American Society of Landscape Architects hosting a walk with Elected Officials scheduled for August. 

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 

FORT SANDERS NEIGHBORHOOD STREET CLEANING AND UPGRADES PLANNED FOR JUNE AND JULY WEEKENDS

Fort Sanders neighborhood streets will soon be getting some extensive cleaning and fresh markings. The summer City Street Maintenance Project will enhance the neighborhood’s quality of life, better define parking areas, sweep streets, update signs and markings, and improve traffic safety.

“Temporarily removing cars for street cleaning creates an ideal situation for refreshing markings on the street. This project will have a positive impact on the whole neighborhood,” said Jim Hagerman, Knoxville Director of Engineering. 

“Because of the very high demand for on-street parking in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, it is usually impossible to sweep the streets. With cars always present, it is also difficult to maintain street and curb markings that indicate where parking is allowed. Temporarily restricting parking for this project will enable City teams to do a thorough cleaning and update markings as well.”

The weekend work will occur June 8-9 on north-south streets and on July 20-21 on streets running east-west in the Fort Sanders area.

Traffic is expected to continue to flow on the affected streets during the project. However, temporary short-term closures may occur as needed for safety. During the project dates and times, parking will not be allowed, and towing will be enforced on the streets affected.

Specifically, the north-south streets included in the project are those between Cumberland Avenue and Grand Avenue (north of Cumberland), including 12th through 23rd streets and including James Agee Street.

East-west streets are those parallel to Cumberland Avenue from White Avenue to Grand Avenue, including Clinch, Laurel, Bridge, Highland and Forest avenues, and on Grand Avenue between 11th and 23rd streets.

Work will start on streets adjacent to Fort Sanders area hospitals to minimize inconvenience.

Both weekends’ project hours in June and July will begin Saturday at 6 a.m. and will end Sunday at 6 p.m.

Temporary no-parking signs will be posted at least 48 hours in advance of the street maintenance work. Normal street operations will resume once work is completed on each street. 

During the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association’s June 5 meeting at 3 p.m. at Copper Cellar Restaurant on Cumberland Avenue, a member of the City Engineering Department will be available for individuals to ask questions about the upcoming Fort Sanders Neighborhood project. 

The media release, including maps showing the street closures, is available on the City's website at http://bit.ly/FtSandersStreets.  


Friday, March 1, 2019

March 1st Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting


Date: Wednesday, March 6

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

Patricia Robledo with the Office of Business support will be providing a update on electric scooter and pilot program City Council approved. There will also be discussion of the recent marketing effort with Knoxville Weekend and upcoming events.

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 

Cumberland Avenue Wins an Orchid Award! 
The City of Knoxville is delighted to be honored at Keep Knoxville Beautiful’s Orchids Awards dinner held Thursday, Feb. 28, at The Press Room in Knoxville. The annual awards honor Knoxville’s most beautiful properties.

The event also celebrated the 40th anniversary of Keep Knoxville Beautiful. Mayor Madeline Rogero was the evening’s special Keynote Speaker.

The City of Knoxville’s Cumberland Avenue Corridor Streetscape Project was presented an Orchid award for “Outdoor Space.” The Hyatt Rooftop Bar also was a recipient of the award for “Outdoor Space” category.

The Cumberland Avenue Streetscape project opened in August 2017 and has set the stage for more economic successes and a more vibrant and attractive street. The new Streetscape has resulted in better traffic flow, a more appealing environment with benches, plantings, landscaping and newly energized merchants excited about their district. The project has also resulted in reduced vehicle, bike and pedestrian crashes.

Keep Knoxville Beautiful presents Orchid Awards in seven different categories: Redesign/Reuse, Outdoor Space, Community Garden, New Architecture, Public Art, Restaurant/Café/Bar/Brewery and Environmental Stewardship. These awards are given to individuals who are beautifying our dynamic city. Additionally, the Mary Lou Horner Beautification Award was presented, as well as the Felicia Harris Hoehne Award being presented for the third time.

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Community Events
Friday March 1, 2019
First Friday ArtWalk
Downtown Knoxville
5pm
Explore galleries, studios, and artist collectives; roam through shops hosting open houses and local artist exhibits; enjoy performance art and live music in the streets and a variety of venues; drop in restaurants along the way and treat yourself to drinks and great food. https://www.downtownknoxville.org/artwalk/

Saturday March 2, 2019
Mardi Growl
Market Square
11am-3pm
Young-Williams Animal Center’s 12th annual Mardi Growl pet parade and party. The Center's largest fundraiser of the year. Parade starts at 11am and will go down Jackson Ave to Gay Street, Gay Street to Clinch Ave. There will be dogs in costume, large dogs and tiny dogs. Come down and watch this fun parade!

Sunday March 3, 2019
Glow for Galactosemia
Tyson Park
3pm
1mile/5k/10k race to raise funds for the Galactosemia Foundation

Monday, December 31, 2018

December 31st Update

CAMA Meeting moved to January 9th


Date: Wednesday, January 9*
*please note date change

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

There will also be discussion of upcoming events and opportunities for business participation.

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 
2019 Meeting dates and information for Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association

City of Knoxville Releases Report on Cumberland Avenue

We’ve periodically been asked questions about traffic flow, statistics on collisions and private investment along the Cumberland Avenue Corridor since the Cumberland Avenue reconstruction project was completed in August 2017.
A detailed report that is posted on the City’s website, prepared by the City’s Traffic Engineering Division and the Office of Redevelopment, using Police Department and Traffic Engineering data is available here.

Below is the Executive Summary, but there’s a lot more information in the 50-plus-page report:

The goal of the Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project was to chart the course for a "more attractive,
economically successful, vibrant and safe Cumberland Avenue." This report aims to assess how
successful the City and its partners were in achieving those goals after investing $25 million in public
funds.

Engaging extensively with stakeholders, the public, the University of Tennessee community and media,
three key litmus tests emerged:

· Is Cumberland Avenue safer?

· Does traffic flow well?

· Has the public investment in infrastructure leveraged significant private reinvestment in hotels,
retail, entertainment and residential housing along the corridor?

For each of these measuring sticks of whether the project was successful, the data clearly indicates that
the City has hit its milestone goals and that the public investment has reaped handsome rewards.

Consider:

· In the six-month period since the project was completed, Police Department traffic crash data
shows an approximate 40 percent reduction in vehicle crashes along the corridor. In addition, no
pedestrian or bicycle crashes with vehicles have been reported in the same time period – a direct
result of inherent conflicts having been dramatically reduced.

· As predicted, traffic volumes are down by 5 to 21 percent at different points throughout the
corridor. This reflects the desired effect of Cumberland Avenue being transformed from a cut-through
route to a destination. Delays in average commute times have been minimal overall. And
at different peak travel times, signal system optimization has improved travel times for both
eastbound and westbound commuters by 7.5 to more than 20 percent.

· The $25 million project has leveraged more than $190 million in private investment and brought
more than 1,400 new residents to the half-mile corridor from 17th Street to University Commons
Way.

Based on these findings, the City is confident in stating that it has met the goals of the Cumberland
Avenue Corridor Plan and that the implementation of the project has been successful.

For local media coverage, visit: 
WATE

Friday, December 7, 2018

December 7th Update

CAMA hosts local historian Jack Neely at the KMA

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Knoxville Museum of Art to enjoy Jack Neely's presentation of Cumberland Avenue history on Wednesday, December 5th.  There were about 55 people in the audience and several members brought their own stories to share about Cumberland. 
CAMA members welcomed attendees and provided information about the organization

Jack Neely presents stories and history of Cumberland Avenue, KMA, Wednesday, December 5th

Refreshments were provided by Copper Cellar, Krispy Kreme, Sunspot and University Liquors - THANK YOU!

Folks enjoyed sharing their memories of Cumberland Avenue

After Jack Neely's talk, members of CAMA gathered for their first annual Holiday Party at the LiterBoard. Many thanks to Lysette Aviles of L7 Vapors for coordinating and setting up a great gathering and many thanks to Thomas Clinton for providing live music and sharing his incredible talent! 


The next Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association is scheduled for January 9th, at 3:00 PM at Copper Cellar. Please make plans to attend and find out what's coming up for CAMA in the new year!

Also keep in mind these exciting Community Events:
Today – Sunday January 6, 2019
Holidays on Ice Presented by Home Federal Bank
Market Square
Monday- Thursday: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-10:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-9:00pm
Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night. There may even be a panda sighting by our Holidays on Ice Mascot, 'Peppermint Panda'! www.knoxvillesholidaysonice.com

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
Peppermint Trail
Downtown Knoxville
Downtown restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars, and boutiques feature peppermint specials throughout the season including peppermint coffees, desserts, cocktails, cookie decorating, cocktail classes, camps for kids, glass blowing...peppermint, peppermint, peppermint. https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/peppermint/

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
The Elf on the Shelf
® Adventure
Downtown Knoxville
Join us for a fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt and search for Santa’s magical helpers in Downtown Knoxville. Scout Elves will be sent from the North Pole by Santa to more than two dozen Knoxville businesses.
https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/elf/

Today – Sunday January 6, 2018
Peppermint Window Wonderland
Downtown Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville transforms into a Peppermint Trail with windows of restaurants and merchants decorated with a peppermint theme.
https://www.downtownknoxville.org/holiday/windows/

Friday December 7, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
8:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/


Friday December 7, 2018
WIVK Christmas Parade
Gay Street
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Join us for everyone's favorite parade, the WIVK Christmas Parade. Bands, dancers, lighted floats, characters and Santa Claus parade down Gay Street and brings fun holiday spirit to all!


Friday December 7, 2018
First Friday ArtWalk
Downtown Knoxville
5:00pm
Explore galleries, studios, and artist collectives; roam through shops hosting open houses and local artist exhibits; enjoy performance art and live music in the streets and a variety of venues; drop in restaurants along the way and treat yourself to drinks and great food. https://www.downtownknoxville.org/artwalk/


Saturday December 8, 2018
Market Square Holiday Market
Market Square, Union Ave, Market St
11:00am-5:00pm
The Market Square Holiday Market is held on Market Square, Union Ave, and Market St on the December Saturdays before Christmas each year. From 11:00am-5:00pm, artisans, food producers, food trucks, and farmers fill downtown with their wares, perfect for holiday gift giving. Find farm-grown greenery for decorating, hand-crafted gifts, and hot beverages to keep you warm while you shop! A small farmers market is held on Market Square from 11:00am-2:00pm featuring locally grown produce, meat, eggs, honey, plants, and more.


Saturday December 8, 2018
A Safety City Christmas
Safety City, 165 S Concord St, Knoxville, TN 37919
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Knoxville Police Department’s Safety City is ringing in the Christmas season with its first “A Safety City Christmas”.  Families will be able to walk through the miniature city enjoying the decorated buildings.  Children will have a blast playing games, making crafts, and rocking out to some wonderful holiday music.  We have even gotten word that Santa will make a special appearance.  This event is free to the public.

Saturday December 8, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
2:00pm & 8:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/


Saturday December 8, 2018
Jingle Bell Run
World’s Fair Park
9:00am – 11:00am
Festive holiday 5K run benefitting the Arthritis Foundation


Saturday December 8, 2018
Christmas Open House
James White’s Fort
11:00am-3:00pm
The sight, sound and smells of an Old Fashioned Christmas, period decorations of fruit and greenery: Self guided tours of buildings. Free admission.


Saturday December 8, 2018
Free pictures with Santa
Market Square
6:00pm
Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus


Saturday December 8, 2018
Old City Market
Jackson Ave between State & Central
11:00am – 4:00pm
A market focusing on crafts, art and locally made goods.


Saturday December 8 – Monday December 10, 2018
The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville
Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Saturday: 3:30pm
Sunday: 3:30pm
Monday: 7:00pm
Free admission, http://www.knoxvillenativity.com/


Sunday December 9, 2018
Hot Cocoa 5K Run
Victor Ashe Park
8:30am – 12:00pm
Charity 5K race to raise funds for a physical therapy clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti


Sunday December 9, 2018
Tuba Christmas
Market Square Stage
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Holiday music performed on dozens of tubas and euphoniums!


Sunday December 9, 2018
The King and I
Tennessee Theatre
1:30pm & 7:00pm
https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/event/708186/rodgers-hammersteins-the-king-and-i/

Friday, November 16, 2018

November 16th Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) is preparing for a great start to the holiday season! 

What: A special afternoon with Jack Neely
Date: Wednesday, December 5th 
When: 3:00PM *this takes the place of the regular CAMA meeting*
Where: Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville
Who: Cumberland Avenue Merchants are hosting this event open to the public. Come learn more about this unique place!


Following this special event CAMA members will be celebrating their first Annual Holiday gathering at Liter Board.  

What: Holiday Party with live music!
Date: Wednesday, December 5th 
When: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Liter Board, 1848 Cumberland Avenue
Who: Members of CAMA and future members - come get to know your neighbors and join this exciting organization


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

November 7th Update

Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) - Monthly Meeting


Date: Wednesday, November 7 (TODAY!)

Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm 

Location: Copper Cellar, 1807 Cumberland Avenue

What: The merchants and other interested stakeholders meet to discuss items of interest or concern and ways to promote and market this district.

There will also be discussion of upcoming events and opportunities for business participation. A special event is planned for December - come find out more!

Parking: Available parking is located at Copper Cellar. 

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor or a friend! 

CUMBERLAND, OLD CITY PROJECTS WIN STATE ENGINEERING AWARDS
The Cumberland Avenue Corridor Project and the Old City Streetscapes Project along Jackson Avenue were selected as statewide winners at American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) Engineering Excellence Awards and 50th Anniversary Gala in Nashville on Friday, Oct. 26.



The Tennessee Chapter of ACEC received 32 applications for awards in a variety of categories, and those applications were judged by a panel of 19 council members.

The Cumberland Avenue project and consulting team Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers Inc. received the “Grand Award” for Special Projects; Large Jurisdiction. And the Old City Streetscapes project and CDM Smith received the “Grand Award” for Surveying and Mapping Technology.

 


“These projects represent fantastic teamwork across multiple City departments, consultants, contractors and the community,” said Mayor Madeline Rogero. “The collaborations and resulting improvements are something we can all celebrate.”

These and additional winning projects are now eligible for consideration for national awards to be handed out at the ACEC National Convention, May 5-18, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

Pop Up Prize Zone at the UTK 2018 Homecoming Parade - a Sweet Event

A lot of fun was had by Cumberland Avenue Merchants and visitors to the Pop Up Prize Zone on Cumberland during the November 2, Homecoming Parade. 

Thanks to all the Merchants who provided donations, gift cards, coupons, and swag to make this a great event. The donations were given by more than a dozen merchants and  well exceeded $1500.00 in value. THANK YOU! 

This year's Parade theme was "Sweet as Soda Pop" and lots of parade attendees found out just how sweet Cumberland Merchants are! Below are some pictures of the fun.












Friday, October 26, 2018

October 26th Update - Homecoming 2018

Come Connect at Cumberland Avenue for Homecoming 2018
October 28 - November 3

The University of Tennessee's 102 Homecoming is next week and the Cumberland Avenue Merchants Association (CAMA) and the City of Knoxville have been working in partnership for some fun and volunteer filled activities. This year's theme is "Sweet As Soda Pop" taken of course from "Rocky Top" by the Osborne Brothers! 

There are two great opportunities for the whole Community to enjoy this special time of year!

Thursday, November 1 starting at 2 PM, The Cumberland Avenue Day of Service is a partnership between UTK, CAMA, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB) to have a Cumberland Avenue Cleanup event. #CAMA Cares – this is a follow up event to the Cleanup held in May where more than forty people participated! The event will start at the Baker Center Courtyard where volunteers - including Alumni, students, prospective students, merchants, and community members - will get safety vests, gloves, garbage grabbers and bags to make sure Cumberland looks great for Homecoming. Stay for the after party with food, prizes and fun at the Baker Center!

Be sure to sign up for this event so KKB can bring enough supplies! 
Business and Community members sign up with Volunteer East Tennessee, here.
UT Affiliation sign up here.

Friday, November 2 the Homecoming Parade steps off at 4:00PM from Circle Park, down Volunteer Boulevard to Cumberland Avenue, exiting at 18th Street! This year’s parade is another collaboration with UTK, CAMA and the City of Knoxville.



Knoxville Police Department and Public Service will close Cumberland to through traffic between 19th Street and James Agee starting at 3:30PM and lasting until 5:00PM.

In conjunction with the Parade, CAMA will be hosting the Pop Up Prize Zone in the parade route along Cumberland from Volunteer Blvd. to 18th Street. CAMA members have volunteered to collect and hand out more than $1,500.00 worth of prizes to Parade Attendees selected at random. Merchants have volunteered coupons, gift cards, t-shirts, and other swag from their businesses. You could be a lucky winner just by showing up to enjoy the parade!




For more on all the activities visit UT's Homecoming website

UT takes on the 49ers of Charlotte in the Homecoming matchup on November 3, 2018! Kickoff time is at 4:00 PM. GO VOLS!!!

As always, thanks for your interest in Cumberland Avenue - have a safe and fun filled weekend!