Downtown Development Commission (DDC)

We are always looking for capable individuals interested in serving our Community. Please complete the interest form so you can be considered for one of the Board or Commissions appointments.


Meetings

  • 2nd Thursday of each month at 9AM - We are now holding hybrid meetings that can be viewed virtually on WebEx or attended in person in the second floor conference room of City Hall. The link to each meeting will be posted a few days prior to each meeting on the City's homepage in the News section.
  • City Hall
    57 N Liberty Street
    Cumberland, MD 21502
Executive Director - Melinda Kelleher
melinda.kelleher@cumberlandmd.gov

Visit our website:  https://reimaginecumberland.com/ to sign up for our E-News, find a business in our directory, review updates to the Baltimore Street Revitalization Project, or to see our Events Calendar.

       

Board Members

Member
 District Seat Term
Doug Schwab (Chair) Primary 1
 January 01, 2022 - January 01, 2025
Larry Jackson
(Vice Chair)
 Primary 2 January 01, 2022 - January 01, 2025
Sandi Saville (Secretary)
 Primary 3 January 01, 2022 - July 01, 2024
Ed Huber
(Treasurer)
 Secondary 4 January 01, 2022 - January 01, 2025
Dan Bowser Secondary 5 July 31, 2022 - July 31, 2025
John Buchanan Primary 7 January 01, 2022 - July 01, 2025
Jamie Echefu Primary 8 June 6, 2023 - June 6, 2026
Micheal Harris Primary 9 March 7, 2023 - March 7, 2026
Lori Lepley Primary 10 September 1, 2022 - September 01, 2025
Dave Romero Primary 11 January 01, 2022 - January 01, 2025
Penny Walker Secondary 12 September 01, 2022 - September 01, 2025
Rhett Wolford Citizen at Large 13 September 01, 2022 - September 01, 2025
Laurie Marchini Council Representative - Non-voting member 14  

Overview

The DDC was established in 1981 for the following purposes:

  • Oversee the promotion of Cumberland’s Historic City Center Pedestrian Mall as a vibrant community and tourist destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.
  • Provide maintenance for the Mall to ensure it remains a clean and safe environment for local citizens and visitors.
  • Create and execute special events on the Mall to highlight Cumberland’s Historic City Center and to drive foot traffic for local businesses (Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Annual NYE Ball Drop/Fireworks).
  • Coordinate outside special events to highlight Cumberland’s Historic City Center and to drive foot traffic for local businesses (Car Shows, Pride Festival, Food and Music Events).
  • Serve as a resource for local businesses for promotion, public relations, special events and other needs.
Structure
 The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) is comprised of a thirteen member Commission composed of not less than nine members who are property and business owners located within the Primary Taxing District, three members from the Secondary Taxing District and an additional member appointed from the general population of the City. Terms are three years.
  • Additional member must be a resident of the City of Cumberland and may be a property owner within the Special Taxing District
  • A member of the City Council participates in meetings and serves as a liaison between the DDC and City Council, but holds no voting privileges.

The DDC is one of (34) Main Street Maryland communities in the state. It is a 2023 accredited Main Street Community.