July 13th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

Although price tag estimates range up to $7.4 million for total renovation of the downtown pedestrian mall- to date only about $2.5 has been secured. The funding gap doesn’t appear to be a concern for officials however as they suggest that additional funding sources are in place and the financial package will be completed in the next year and a half. Paul Kelly, executive director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, provided an update on the Baltimore Street Redevelopment Project this week. That project includes replacing underground utilities, restoring Baltimore Street to allow for vehicular traffic and parking and redesigning aesthetics. While there are several funding sources that the CEDC will tap, the balk of the money will come from the Maryland State Highway Administration Transportation Program- commonly referred to as TAP. Thus far $2 million in TAP funds are on the books and Kelly says he is exploring whether or not additional dollars could come from that avenue…