Bob Steinbruegge (left), vice chair of the Habitat for Humanity - Coosa Valley board of
directors, hands Keesha Ware the keys for her new home in North Rome in December.
All roads lead to Rome - Downtown Rome.
Broad Street and environs are continuing
momentum with redevelopment of Lofts, Riverside
Gourmet, and The Vogue. Several restorations
and facades have added to the good look, from the
Cotton Block to Turner McCall Boulevard.
It is a positive sign that non real estate
executives are investing in Downtown Rome and
renovating or restoring buildings. On the way:
the restoration of the former Fricks building by
visionary business executive Fred Taylor and
the to-be-announced plans for the Broad Street
– Turner McCall Boulevard building, the former
home of Georgia Power regional headquarters.
Successful business executive Roger Manis
bought the over 45,000 square foot building
and will announce plans for it soon. A new sign
- Manis Business Center, indicates more news
is forthcoming soon. David Parker, another
successful business executive invested a few
years ago on Broad Street and has been a great
model of creating mutually beneficial value.
26 OUTLOOK | APRIL 2020
East Bend Shopping Center, a 19.7-acre project
is the most recent retail redevelopment deal, and
the Ledbetters are investing in and creating this
power center. Not since River Bend Center has
so much buzz been around the area. New to the
market restaurants and retailers are on the way.
Chipotle, Kohl’s and Texas Roadhouse are three
of the announced newcomers and will add to the
variety of shopping and dining for the region.
The State Mutual Stadium area is also adding
to the development with River Point luxury
apartments and Bella Luna. The stadium also is
renovating with fans’ club amenities, enclosing the
terrace, adding more covered picnic areas and
upgrading the entrance. All of these investments
are good for the commercial neighbors. There is
talk of a hotel in or near the stadium grounds as
well as a convenience store, liquor store and fast
food outlets.
The neighborhoods are good. Let’s improve the
often talked about corridors …. the neighborhoods
will be enhanced for residents, visitors and
employers.