Even Smokey is giving a big warm bluetick coonhound welcome to the new and improved Cumberland Avenue.
If you've walked or driven along Cumberland in the past week, you've probably noticed City workers in bucket trucks, installing some of the 45 "Welcome to Cumberland Avenue" banners.
The color scheme reflects the new greens found throughout the Cumberland district, while of course reminding everyone that it's also football time in Tennessee.
And what place, outside of Neyland Stadium, is more Vol-centric than The Strip?
"The new banners really add an exclamation mark to Cumberland," said Becky Rehorn, the Cumberland Avenue marketing enthusiast with Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers who designed the welcome banners. "They help signal to visitors and UT fans that the new Cumberland is bigger and bolder than ever."
The 28-month top-to-bottom reconstruction of Cumberland Avenue is wrapping up – on time and within budget.
Everyone is invited to a 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, ribbon-cutting at the courtyard at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, at Cumberland and 17th Street. Gov. Bill Haslam and Mayor Madeline Rogero will lead the festivities.
Ample parking for the ribbon-cutting celebration is available at the UT’s White Avenue Garage, 1621 White Ave. (between 17th and 16th streets; note that White Avenue runs one-way eastbound).
Taking a KAT bus? Routes 10 and 11 serve Cumberland Avenue as part of the Free Fare Zone.
Cumberland Avenue between 17th and 22nd streets has been transformed into a safer, more pedestrian-friendly corridor with new utility infrastructure, wider sidewalks, improved traffic flow, a raised median and left-turn lanes at intersections.
The public investment of $25 million has helped leverage more than $190 million in private investment.
Come help us officially dedicate the new Cumberland on Aug. 17!
Meanwhile, here's a video of a banner being installed:
