WRGA: Rome City Commission hires firm to create redevelopment plan for NW Georgia Regional Hospital. Manager Sammy Rich gives first ‘State of City’ address

From WRGA: The Rome City Commission has hired Tunnel, Spangler and Walsh to create a development plan for the former Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital Property.

Commissioner Bill Collins, who made the motion during Monday’s City Commission meeting, said the land could be utilized for a variety of uses from residential, commercial and light industrial.

“They haven’t settled on any one or two things,” Collins said. “There is going to be an opportunity, not only for the citizens, but for the commission and all the different players out there to bring something to the table to make this happen. We’re wide open to listen and to see what best fits for this piece of property.”

TSW submitted the low bid for the work, which is $90,500. Their previous experience includes the redevelopment of the former Doraville GM Assembly Plant.

Over the next four months, they will seek to determine the best and highest use for the site, which will be scaled to what is realistic for the Rome market. The option on the property that the city has expires at the end of 2015. However, officials feel they would be able to get an extension, if necessary.

Also at Monday’s meeting: City Manager Sammy Rich gave his first ‘State of the City’ address to the Rome City Commission.

(Also from WRGA) “The state of the city is good.” Those are the words of Rome City Manager Sammy Rich during his first State of the City address to the Rome City Commission.

Rich said after surviving the recession, and now there are signs of improvement.

“It’s good for us that we’ve had a balanced budget and have been able to finish 2014 by adding some revenue to our fund balance to the tune of 600-thousand dollars,” Rich said. “When we are looking at indicators, those things that are signs that things are looking better, building inspection permits are headed in the right direction for increases.

In addition, real estate transfer tax revenues are up and more business licenses were sold.

“I like to think we are headed in the right direction,” Rich added. We’ve endured a number of years of cuts and doing more with less. It feels like we are slowly turning the corner and heading in a new direction, so I think our better days are to come.”

Rich said some of the things to look forward to in 2015 include a new recreation agreement, and hopefully, the start of construction of the Courtyard by Mariott Hotel on West Third Street. Rich said the city is closer than it has ever been to receiving ownership of the former GE property in West Rome. More details will be discussed during the city commission planning session, which is scheduled for March 30th.