City Officials Open Lanier 400 Parkway with Ribbon Cutting Event
City of Cumming and Forsyth County officials gather March 1 to officially open Lanier 400 Parkway.
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Cumming held a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 1 for the new Lanier 400 Parkway project, which extends Lanier 400 Parkway all the way from Bald Ridge Marina Road to Pilgrim Mill Road. The $5.2 million extension can be easily accessed from either Exit 15 or 16 off Ga. Hwy. 400. City leaders believe Lanier 400 Parkway will be a great location for future businesses due to its close proximity to facilities such as the Cumming Aquatic Center, the Georgia National Guard Regional Readiness Center, Georgia Driver Services Center, and the University of North Georgia's Cumming Campus.
Classes Now Being Held in New Recreation Building at City Park
On Feb. 22, the new multi-purpose building at Cumming City Park opened for its first classes. While work is still being done to the exterior of the building, as well as to the large conference center area inside, classroom space and offices are now open and being used daily.

The new building features two dance studios, a large art room, and a spacious exercise room with an elevated platform for instructors. Staff are also thrilled with the building's ample storage space.

After the remainder of the building's interior and exterior spaces are complete, an official dedication ceremony will be held. No definite date has been set for this event, but department leaders are hoping for sometime around mid-April.  

The Recreation & Parks Department will be providing expanded course offerings in the new building, including a revamped fitness program. For complete information on Cumming Recreation & Parks course offerings, click here.

The new building is part of a total renovation of Cumming City Park, which began in 2014 when all previous structures at the park were torn down. Other upgrades to the park, including installation of a modern playground, will begin later this year.


Did you know?   All Cumming Recreation & Parks classes and programs are offered at the same fee to all participants, whether they reside in the City of Cumming or surrounding areas.
Council Approves Land Sale for College & Career Academy
During the February meeting of the Cumming City Council, members voted unanimously to sell some 18 acres of property along the new Lanier 400 Parkway to the Forsyth County Board of Education. The land will be used for construction of the Alliance Academy for Innovation of Cumming-Forsyth, a new high school focusing on college and career preparation, which is slated to open in 2018. 
 
The Cumming City Council also took the following actions during the February meeting:
  • Approved awarding contracts to the lowest bidders for construction of three major water and sewer projects - Chamblee Gap Road pump station; Cheatham Creek wastewater pump station; and gravity sewer and force main for the Cheatham Creek pump station.
  • Appointed Robert Long, the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce's Vice President of Economic Development, as Cumming and Forsyth County's joint member of the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners also approved Long for the post on the commission, which promotes proper development of human, natural, physical, social and economic resources throughout 13 northeast Georgia counties.
  • With Councilman Christopher Light abstaining from the vote due to a personal conflict, approved a new alcohol license for The Liquor Shop, which will be located at 359 Canton Hwy.
 
Click here to view meeting videos.
Council Members Tour City Water & Sewer Facilities
The three newest City Council members - Chuck Welch, Linda Ledbetter and Christopher Light - toured the Department of Utilities' intake, water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities on March 2. The tour gave the new Council members an opportunity to learn more about the City's largest department, which employees about 70 people. The department provides water and sewer services to approximately one-third of all residences and businesses in the county. The tour came on the heels of Georgia Municipal Association training for newly elected City Council members, which all three attended in Athens at the end of February.
Andean Chevrolet Honors Cumming Police Dept.
As part of Chevrolet's #DayItForward campaign, employees of Andean Chevrolet chose to recognize the Cumming Police Department on Monday, Feb. 29. The campaign encouraged Chevy employees to give back to their local communities on Leap Day. Chevrolet representatives brought balloons and treats to police  department employees to thank them for their service. Thank you Andean Chevrolet employees for honoring the Cumming PD on Leap Day!

Coming Soon
To the Cumming Fairgrounds
"Taste of Forsyth" - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 26

To the Cumming Playhouse
"Mayberry Moments" - 8 p.m. March 12, 3 p.m. March 13
"Hank Williams Jr. Tribute Show" - 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. March 19
"Cumming Playhouse Singers 'And All That Jazz!'" - 8 p.m. March 31
"Kruger Brothers Concert Benefitting Literacy Forsyth in Memory of Kathy Jolly" - 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. April 2

Meetings
Planning & Zoning Board - 5 p.m. March 15
City Council - 6 p.m. March 15
Both meetings are open to the public and held in the third-floor Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 Main Street. For all meetings after 5 p.m., please enter through the rear parking lot entrance.

 
Spring is almost here and as the weather gets nicer, be sure to check out all of the outdoor amenities the City of Cumming has to offer. We'll feature more information about the opening of many of these facilities in upcoming editions!

Sincerely,   
City of Cumming
Division of Public Information