City approves historic preservation plan
Jan. 8—CUMBERLAND — The mayor and City Council recently approved the Cumberland Historic Preservation Plan.
Plan priorities include housing conservation and neighborhood revitalization, and heritage documentation.
The project began in February and included field work, two community open houses and three drafts of the plan.
Last month, Nick Kalogeresis, associate principal of The Lakota Group, presented the mayor and City Council objectives of the plan that include assessment of the city's existing preservation program, community engagement forums and determination of key preservation priorities.
"The community involvement in this process has been great," Kalogeresis said at the time. "We were able to get some different perspectives."
The plan lists key strategies to facilitate preservation-based revitalization that include new incentives and housing rehabilitation programs to spur investment in historic neighborhoods.
Cumberland should be marketed as "a choice place to live," it states.
The plan also lists the city's downtown, heritage assets that include historic landmarks and districts, cemeteries and parks.
As of June 2023, in addition to six historic districts the plan lists 18 city properties in the National Register of Historic Places that include the African Methodist Episcopal Church on Frederick Street, B'er Chayim Temple on West Union Street and the George Truog House on Baltimore Avenue.
Preservation partners listed in the plan include the Allegany County Historical Society, Allegany County Tourism, Downtown Cumberland Business Association and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The council also:
Recognized the Fort Hill Unified Flag Football Team for capturing the inaugural state championship gold medal in their division in the Maryland Special Olympics Unified 5vs5 Flag Football Tournament.
Recognized the Fort Hill High School football team for capturing the Class 1A state championship.
Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.
