News Line for Rome

Work on facade at Lynn’s Uniforms will be redone
Rome’s Historic Preservation Commission gave authorization to Planning Director Sue Hiller to administratively deal with a facade change without bringing the issue back to the HPC.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Development Authority closes doors to discuss land acquisition
The Development Authority of Floyd County went behind closed doors Monday evening to talk about possible acquisition of land for future development.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City approves $50,000 for Northwest Georgia Housing Authority
The work of the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority in East Rome is on track to get a big boost thanks in part to the Rome City Commission.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission to vote on agreements with county
Two separate agreements between the City of Rome and Floyd County are scheduled to be voted on by the Rome City Commission at tonight’s meeting.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Town Green, riverfront project expected to be completed by end of the year
Access to Rome’s town green currently is cut off by a large fence. Someone peeking through the tall barrier can see the dirt and construction fronting The Forum.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Mausoleum staying close to original budget; $2.4 million project is on track to be completed this summer with landscaping to come later
City officials say the cost of the Myrtle Hill Mausoleum is staying close to the original price, as granite slabs begin arriving on site to complete the look of the 588 crypts.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

High river leaving area trails under water; officials say problems at Unity Point Park may need to be put on a SPLOST
Rain can be a good thing for farmers and ducks, but it has caused problems on Rome’s trails and at Unity Point Park.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome officials consider ‘blight tax,’ look at ways to encourage maintenance on properties that aren’t owners’ primary residences
Rome is looking south for potential solutions to residential and commercial eyesores throughout the community.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

McNiece touts city’s progress in tough times
Rome Mayor Evie McNiece is proud of how the quality of life in Rome has been enhanced through the tough economic times.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

No hurry for new public works director during transition period
The City of Rome will rely on the organization and experience of its current employees while its public works department is going through a transition period.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Redevelopment meeting spurs heated debate
“Contentious but good” was how Mayor Evie McNiece described Wed­nesday’s redevelopment committee meeting.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Representatives from Northwest Georgia cities discuss state legislation wins and losses at GMA listening session
Legislators, on both the state and federal levels, are being asked to allow city officials to make the decisions that affect their citizens and operations.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Housing authority to redevelop Willingham Village
The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority is working to meet a June 15 deadline to apply for a program that will change the face of the Willingham Village housing complex in West Rome.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

South Broad Street affected by sewer spill
City officials said road work stemming from damage to a sewer main on South Broad Street should be over soon.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Impact of loss of energy tax undetermined
A quarter of the way into the year, Rome and Floyd County officials are still uncertain how the decision to phase out the sales tax on energy used in manufacturing is going to affect budgets.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Plans in place for South Rome; Brinson honored for his decades of service
Members of the South Rome Redevelopment Corp. brought a message of success and dedicated planning to the Rome City Commission during caucus Monday evening.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

SRRC looking at improving housing options in South Rome
The South Rome Redevelopment Corp. has decided not to submit a request for a low-income housing tax credit project this year, but improving the housing options in South Rome is still a high priority, officials said.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City: It’s Dean 'Avenue,' not 'Street'
A topic of debate that involves the proper name of a major corridor in Rome will be settled in the Floyd County Tax Office.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome BOE adopts Five-Year Local Facilities plan
Several policies were adopted and amended during the Rome City Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, including the Five-Year Local Facilities Plan.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome City Commission to look at role in trail upkeep during tonight's meeting
City commissioners are set to approve a memorandum of understanding tonight that addresses Rome’s responsibility for maintenance and liability of the proposed Redmond Trail.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome homeowners can apply for minor home repair grants
Behind some faucets in Mike Lupo’s bathroom was a decade-old hole in the wall.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Conaway begins process of repairing brickwork
Paula Conaway was in talks with contractors Monday as she begins the process of trying to repair the damage to the exterior of her 210 Broad St. store.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City saves $600,000 through loan refinancing
With interest rates dropping and finance companies urging people to take advantage of them, the city of Rome has been able to work out a new deal on a group of state loans.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

SPLOST committee begins process to determine projects at their first meeting
Introductions were made and some guidance was given Thursday at the first official meeting of the 2013 Rome-Floyd SPLOST Citizens Committee.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

4 Between the Rivers projects OK’d by default - Wednesday's meeting had no quorum
Four projects under review by the Historic Preservation Commission received default approval after the board did not have enough attending members to stage a vote.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Community garden may grow in South Rome
In Paul Sills’ plans, South Rome is home to a community garden — a place where vegetables and fruit are grown and shared by city residents.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Community Work Program ‘snapshot’ process under way
The staff in the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department is busy preparing a public performance of sort.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City extends closing deadline for West Third Street property
The Rome City Commission on Monday approved extending the deadline for closing on the sale of city-owned property for a Courtyard by Marriott hotel to March 22.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Hawthorn expansion permits approved
Downtown Rome businessman Ira Levy hopes to have the first of two additions for the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham completed in 10-11 months.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission to review landfill fee increase
A higher tipping fee at the Walker Mountain Landfill could be closer to reality following tonight’s Rome City Commission meeting.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Residents oppose corridor improvement plan
A proposed addition to the Rome-Floyd County Unified Land Development Code was sent back to committee by the joint Planning Commission after a procession of concerned residents voiced their opposition.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

West Third land sale set for today
A site plan with preliminary conceptual drawings for the new Courtyard by Marriott was approved by Rome’s Redevelopment Committee on Thursday, however more detailed drawings will have to be submitted in order for closing on the sale of the property to take place today.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Information needed on NWGHA tax-credit project
The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority is still evaluating a proposed partnership with Bridgeland Development LLC and RHA Housing Inc. for a major upgrade to the Willingham Village public housing community in West Rome.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City may commit money for housing
Rome’s Community Development committee is recommending a five-year, $13,500-per-year commitment in support of the Overlook at Fairgrounds development proposed by the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Jumping on Jackson Hill: TRED working to develop trails
In the four months since it officially became an organized citizens group, TRED Rome-Floyd Inc. has been gathering support and getting active.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Cave Spring rethinking Lord’s Prayer issue
Members of the Cave Spring City Council have tentatively agreed to forgo saying the Lord’s Prayer at their meetings, a turnabout from their previous vote.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Marriott Oks Courtyard hotel downtown
Duke Hospitality has gotten formal approval for a Courtyard by Marriott franchise for Rome. City Manager John Bennett announced Marriott’s approval during a city retreat Thursday at Berry College.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Commission to discuss SPLOST projects at WinShape
The Rome City Commission is hoping to avoid a repeat performance of the 2012 SPLOST vote in November.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City to look at cheaper fix for Ga. 53 odor problem and plans to replace last sewer lines affected by PCBs
The stench at Ga. 53 near Bells Ferry Road due to an odor from the sewer line has greatly subsided in the past year thanks to a chemical compound similar to Milk of Magnesia.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

SPLOST committee begins to take shape
The chairman and seven members of the 2013 Rome-Floyd SPLOST Citizen Committee were announced Tuesday night by the Floyd County Commission.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome GDP numbers lowest among Georgia metro areas
Rome ranked 312 out of the nation’s 366 metropolitan statistical areas in 2011 as measured by its real gross domestic product. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis issued the report over the weekend.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Planning session this week for City Commission
A possible 1-cent special purpose, local option sales tax is expected to be discussed during the Rome City Commission’s two-day planning session this week.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome expects increase to fund balance
Some promising news was presented to the Rome Finance Committee on Wednesday.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Boards to name SPLOST committee next week
The gears are moving fast on getting a new special purpose, local option sales tax referendum for Rome and Floyd County on the November ballot.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Town Green fountain to reopen in May
Construction on the $2.7 million Urban Riverfront Development will continue into late summer but children will not have to wait that long to enjoy the Town Green fountain again.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

South Rome to review new housing proposal
The South Rome Redevelopment Corp. expects to be able to review a low-income housing tax credit proposal at its retreat set for Tuesday at the Rome-Floyd E.C.O. River Education Center.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

The Arbor Day program will celebrate the City of Rome’s 23 years as a Tree City USA community.
The ongoing efforts of Rome and Floyd County to bring the importance of trees and natural beauty to local residents will be recognized today.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome’s Downtown Development Authority adopted a strategic plan aimed at boosting the revitalization momentum
The Downtown Development Authority gave its blessing to a formal plan of work for 2013 on Thursday.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Locals oppose bill on cell towers
Cell phone towers, like this one near Shorter University, now dot the landscape. (Doug Walker, RN-T)slideshow Floyd County and the city of Rome are joining other municipal governments in the state to oppose new legislation that would pre-empt their authority over new and existing cell towers.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City plans to shore up Kingfisher, Ridge Ferry trails
Once rainy weather subsides, measures will be taken to protect spots on Kingfisher Trail and the Ridge Ferry Park walking trail that are starting to erode.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome district promotions bear fruit
Reinvestment in downtown Rome totaled more than $1.7 million during 2012 — and that number should rise significantly in 2013, when renovation of the old Waterfront Grill restaurant adds another two dozen rooms to the Hawthorn Suites hotel.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Millions in savings, but little to spend
Local governments and schools maintain fund balances — essentially savings accounts — for rainy days, but Rome and Floyd County entities use their funds in different ways and the moneys can’t be commingled or shared.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City mulls more trees on corridors into town
Community leaders are working to make the major roads entering the city more safe and attractive to residents and visitors.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Bennett to deliver State of the City
Some good financial news will likely be delivered tonight to the Rome City Commission.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome, Floyd County discuss SPLOST process
Rome and Floyd County voters could be casting ballots for or against a new SPLOST proposal as early as this November.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome city bus service used by workers, students; estimated 675 people each day
Patty Henry waited patiently at the Midtown Transit Station for a Rome Transit bus to take her shopping.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Doss out of W. 3rd hotel
The Rome City Commission has approved a deal that essentially transfers the original memorandum of understanding for the development of a hotel on West Third Street from Samson Developers, a group led by Rome businessman David Doss, to Duke Lodging Rome LLC.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Tourism dollars up 41 percent since 2002, according to Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tourism spending in Rome and Floyd County has increased by more than 41 percent since 2002, according to the 2012-2013 annual report released Thursday by the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Officials ask DOT to explore link to Silver Comet Trail
A proposal discussed by city and county leaders may breathe some new life into hopes for a link from Rome to the popular Silver Comet Trail in Polk County.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City agrees to new jail fees
Rome’s public safety committee has recommended a new five-year deal to house city inmates at the Floyd County Jail.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Annual Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth gathering looks at children’s issues
When it comes to embracing, providing for and helping the children of Rome and Floyd County, issues such as drug use, abuse, bullying, teen pregnancy and suicide are all concerns.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Plans for another addition to Hawthorn approved by default
Because not enough members showed up for Wednesday’s Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Levy’s application for the second phase of the expansion of Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham will be automatically approved.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Radford: ‘Downtowns across the state are big business’
Legislation that would provide tax credits for those who invest in and live in downtowns across the state would help create jobs and build vibrant communities, said Paul Radford, with the Georgia Municipal Association.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission changing tack on chickens
The Rome City Commission is mulling a list of possible restrictions on keeping chickens in residential areas that could include a minimum lot size of at least three-quarters of an acre.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission to set qualifying fees
The Rome City Commission is slated to set the qualifying fee tonight for the board elections scheduled for later in the year.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Crews at work: Update on several projects going on downtown
When digging into a riverbank in the middle of a 176-year-old city there’s always a risk of surprises.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Report shows lots of room for retail growth in Rome
A retail market analysis of Rome concludes there is significant potential for retail growth, and consequently, additional sales tax revenue for the community.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City to get split vote on urban poultry
One thing is certain about keeping hens at houses within the city limits: half the Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission is against it.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Renaissance Act to target Ga. downtowns
Rome has been used as a model for other Main Street programs across Georgia for years. Nonetheless, Downtown Rome Development Executive Director Ann Arnold is excited about the potential for the Georgia Renaissance Act to provide yet another tool to enhance the reinvigoration of the Broad Street community.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Elected officials look ahead
There’s a segment of the population that makes New Year’s resolutions, and there’s another large segment that doesn’t.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Fire/EOC costs could top $100,000
Rome and Floyd County officials hope to finalize in January an agreement to share ongoing costs at the new fire headquarters and emergency operations center that opened last month on East 12th Street.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Travis Goss settling in as new Rome deputy police chief
Travis Goss has been a familiar face at the Rome Police Department since 1976, rising from the ranks of patrolman to major.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Cities, county debate radio system funding
Rome and Floyd County have competing proposals about how to pay the estimated $1 million annual maintenance costs for the new countywide communications system.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Downtown Development Authority announces this year's Rome Achievement Awards recipients
The Downtown Development Authority named the recipients of the annual Historic Downtown Rome Achievement Awards at the final Downtown Coffee Break this year.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City expected to give developers more time to acquire West Third Street property
The Rome City Commission has called a special meeting for Friday at 11:45 a.m. for the purpose of extending a memorandum of understanding with Samson Developers for the West Third Street Property.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Officials finalize land swap plans
Officials with Rome, Floyd County and Cave Spring met Wednesday to plot their course on joint projects for the next few months.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

NSP funds nixed for new public housing
The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority’s bid for Neighborhood Stabilization Program III funds to acquire about eight properties in North Rome for The Overlook at Fairgrounds development has been rejected.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Levy's plans for Hawthorn Suites expansion are on hold
Rome businessman Ira Levy’s bid for another 48-room addition to the Hawthorn Suites was delayed by the Rome Historic Preservation, which found his application incomplete Wednesday.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Ga. mayor urges churches to ring bells Friday
A Georgia mayor is urging churches and places of worship across the state to ring their bells 26 times at 9:30 a.m. Friday, in remembrance of the 20 children and six adults gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
Source: Jackson Progress-Argus

South Rome group gets major makeover in January
The South Rome Redevelopment Corporation will experience significant turnover at the first of the year with four new board members already ratified and two more to be chosen.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission expected to table chicken plea
A public hearing is scheduled tonight on a permit to keep chickens in the yard of a Hycliff Road home — but the Rome City Commission is expected to table the case without action.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

DDA okays 2 more façade grants
Rome’s Downtown Development Authority approved a couple of façade grants during its final regularly scheduled meeting of 2012.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

South Rome looking for development partner
The South Rome Redevelopment Corp. may seek to develop several parcels simultaneously during its next round of housing improvements for the community.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City officials get look at proposed downtown master plan
Images of what an expanded downtown Rome could look like were pitched to community leaders Thursday.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Landfill fees are expected to rise
Tipping fees for dumping trash at the publicly owned Walker Mountain Landfill are expected to rise 2.5 percent next year, after three years without an increase.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

The Solid Waste Commission is looking into a commercial proposal that may offer short-term savings
Rome and Floyd County officials are considering an informal proposal from Paper Recovery of Georgia owner Ira Levy to buy their high-value recyclable materials.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Mayors Motorcade alive and well in Rome
Rome Mayor Evie McNiece and officials with the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities were at the Rome Civic Center on Tuesday morning sorting out gifts that were handed out to about 300 people served by the DBHDD.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City Commission approves utility rate hikes
Residential water and sewer customers in Rome can expect to pay $1.50 to $2.50 more per month for both services in 2013.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City of Rome seeing revenue rebound
The city of Rome’s operating revenues are up 3.6 percent compared to 2011 levels, indicating some sectors are starting to rebound from the Great Recession.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

City preparing for new year; new fees for 2013
The Rome City Commission is expected to adopt resolutions tonight that will raise trash collection and cemetery fees about 3 percent, effective the first of the year.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Rome City Commission puts budget out for review
The Rome City Commission accepted on Monday an early draft of a $26.3 million general fund budget it plans to adopt before the end of the year.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

The planning commission is getting a larger set of options to choose from in deciding how best to regulate hens in the city
Rome City commissioners were unenthusiastic when they got an early look at a proposal aimed at addressing a debate about urban poultry.
Source: Rome News-Tribune

Cities, counties tussle for revenue
Georgia cities and counties are calling for a constitutional amendment to prevent state lawmakers from shifting fees collected for specific purposes to the state’s general fund.
Source: Rome News-Tribune