Officials with the City of Rome are getting back to work now that the holiday season has concluded. The Rome City Commission’s first meeting of 2020 is slated for this coming Monday evening (January 13th). Sammy Rich, Rome’s City Manager, states that he looks forward to welcoming three new members to the Commission and tackling some ongoing projects in the New Year.
The three new commissioners include Mark Cochran, Bonny Askew and Jim Bojo, who were all elected by city voters in November.
As far as projects are concerned, Rich indicates that he is particularly excited about progress on the indoor courts currently under construction at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College. He hopes that this project will be completed in time for the ACC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships at the center in the spring.
Berry College and Marriott International recently announced that a Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott will be built on college-owned property next to the Rome Tennis Center; construction will begin in the fall. Rich anticipates that even more development will occur around that area in the years to come.
Rich expects that efforts to deal with the issue of homelessness in Rome and Floyd County will continue in earnest this year, following a heated debate on the subject in 2019. This initiative will be led by the Interagency Council on Poverty and Homelessness established by the United Way of Rome and Floyd County.
Romans are encouraged by Rich to get involved and make a difference in the community this year.
The Rome City Commission will meet in regular session on Monday evening at 6:30 pm at City Hall (the City Auditorium) on Broad Street. That meeting will be preceded by a caucus at 5 pm. Both are open to the public.