The Partner
The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID) stands as a national model for public-private collaboration. With over 190 commercial property owners contributing through additional taxes, the CCID leverages funds to enhance the Cumberland area’s connectivity, access, and overall community vibrancy. Its efforts have a $26.6 billion annual impact on Georgia’s economy, with the district housing major companies like The Atlanta Braves, The Home Depot, Comcast, and even The Partnership HQ. Their major river rehabilitation project known as New Day Palisades goes a long way to improve one of the region’s most beloved destinations, specifically the Palisades Land Unit at Paces Mill.
Opportunity
New Day Palisades is a $15.8 million initiative led by One Cumberland, in partnership with the Cumberland CID and the National Park Service. The goal is to restore the Palisades Land Unit at Paces Mill, a cherished section of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) that attracts over 270,000 visitors annually and connects 38 miles of multi-use trails.
Since its designation in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, the Paces Mill access has fallen into disrepair. The project aims to refresh this space with a new parking lot, picnic area, enhanced river access, and a visitor center featuring restrooms, changing facilities, and an open-air pavilion. The project needed a modern, engaging digital platform to inform the community, encourage donations, and communicate updates throughout the different phases.
Approach
Our web process includes a site and asset audit, followed by a kickoff to understand the goals and inform the timeline, architecture, interactive elements, UX design, along with testing and custom development. With CCID, we worked on an expedited timeline to build and expand their existing landing page into a comprehensive, custom WordPress website.
- Showcasing the natural beauty of Paces Mill through interactive elements and compelling visuals.
- Providing timely updates to keep the community informed.
- Crafting engaging storytelling that highlighted the importance of the restoration. The website serves not only as a hub for community updates but a platform to secure donations and grants that support the effort.
Impact
The Partnership’s role was focused on developing the digital presence for New Day Palisades, a key communication and fundraising tool. Best of all, since the site is just right down the road, we were able to support the project launch and groundbreaking ceremony, ensuring the website’s effectiveness from the start.
