partnership that is improving
the area and it is being
transformed, thanks to action
taken by the city, private
sector leadership, institutions
and volunteer organizations
for several years.
Berry College is particularly
noteworthy with education
support for the Anna K. Davie
Early Learning Center.
Housing is needed in all
areas and types, and South
Rome is certainly going to
benefit from the $17 million
Laurel Street Properties
development along Pollock
Street. 80 more units will
be built, starting in Summer
2021 and completed by late
2022 and early 2023.
A search for a new boathouse
location is also underway
to take advantage of the
blueways. This activity and
the trails around the whole
area are important quality
of life amenities that also
help attract new people and
businesses.
Aundi Lesley, the new
Downtown Development
Director is actively working
on new investments
especially along Broad
Street. Downtown Rome’s
redeveloping Broad Street
is adding PAM Studios,
Hard Time Products, Olea
Olive Oils and Wine, Newby
Tasting Room - a companion
to the West Rome winery -
Woodford Home and Gifts,
renovations of LaScala for its
tapas bar, John Henry’s Grill,
the Rome History Center and
others.
The wide variety of
commercial establishments
as well as professional
offices and services, will
keep people visiting and
living downtown. Solving
the parking and noise issues
will attract even more Fred
Taylor, Roger Manis and
Harry Pierce non-traditional
developers investing with
quality.
Titan Archery in West Rome,
Earthworks Pottery in East
Rome and Fairfield Inn in
Armuchee are running the
bases.
The Shannon area’s infusion
of Ball, Balta, and Lowe’s
Regional Distribution Center
along with SPLOST funded
improvements portends more
housing and commercial
activity.
As Floyd County Manager
Jamie McCord noted, “.. and
Highway 140 is slated to be
substantially completed in
2021.”
By December 2020 several restaurants were already open and in business at
East Bend Shopping Center.
By July 2020 the frames of several now open businesses were well on their way.
Panda Express and Chipotle opened by fall
Billy Newby runs a sander across a bar top in his new wine tasting room downtown.
The South Rome Alliance already has large projects in the works. An artist’s rendering
shows the planned layout of the South Meadows housing development in South Rome.