The City of Cumberland Mayor and City Council, in partnership with Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, seeks proposals from consulting firms or individuals to provide research, services, options, and recommendations for the development of a Cumberland Wayfinding Plan.  It is the hope and goal that the creation and implementation of a Cumberland Wayfinding Plan will:

  • Propose a consistent signage and wayfinding system across a range of signage mediums, and digital content, integrating the use of technology, and other digital content, in addition to signage, art and other visual aids, which will communicate with visitors using various modes of transportation (vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and train passengers) that honors the city’s past while establishing its future as a destination
  • Create guidelines for a signage and a wayfinding system that welcomes and directs visitors to key destinations, facilities, attractions, services and other points of interest whether they are driving by car, walking, cycling or arriving by train. 
  • Increase and encourage discovery and exploration of downtown amenities and attractions.
  • Improve navigation for all modes of travel (vehicular/pedestrian/cyclist/train). 
  • Coordinate proposed wayfinding with existing adjacent non-city wayfinding in coordination with other organizations and entities. 
  • Propose affordable conceptual signage designs and options which can be fabricated using standard materials and methods; requiring minimal maintenance and a proven long lifespan.  
  • Anticipate future development, changes in traffic patterns, new attractions, and increased pedestrian, bicycle, train and vehicular traffic.
  • Develop the system in such a way to be sustainable and also adaptable for future use as well as establishing and ongoing administration and maintenance plan.
  • Include, as appropriate, locations for public art in an effort to create identity, help orient people to their location and provide focal points.

Estimated Budget $30,000 – $45,000

The selection process will be graded on a number of criteria and submission requirements.  For additional information copies of the RFP packet may be obtained from Ruth Davis-Rogers, Historic Preservation Planner, at the Cumberland City Hall, 57 N. Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 or by calling 301-759-6431 or emailing ruth.davis-rogers@cumberlandmd.gov.  Any requests for information (RFI) for the explanation or clarification of any point not sufficiently covered by RFP packet must be submitted in writing.

Sealed Proposals addressed to the Mayor and City Council of Cumberland will be received at the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 57 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502, until but not after 3:00 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, May 15. 2024. All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, plainly marked on the outside thereof “CUMBERLAND WAYFINDIN PLAN.”  Proposals will be opened at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in City Hall Council Chambers.  

The Mayor and City Council reserves the right to waive any informalities and to reject any or all bids, and to accept any or all proposals which in their judgment is in the best interest of the City, or to re-advertise for new bids.https://www.ci.cumberland.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/4623/Cumberland-Wayfinding-Plan-RFP—Final