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As reported by The Rome News Wire, Representatives from two of the firms that prepared the East Rome Revitalization Plan told city officials that they believe the project is a feasible possibility.
On Wednesday, John Skach of Urban College Inc. and Chuck Billard of TCG International presented a draft of the redevelopment plan that focuses around Maple Street and 12th Street.
“We did this in preparation for an application for HOPE VI funds,” Skach said.
The consulting team for the revitalization plan consisted of members of Urban College Inc., TCG International, Marketek and Rhodes Engineering.
The Northwest Georgia Housing Authority initially sought out proposals for the project and hoped to receive a HOPE VI grant award from HUD for the revitalization costs.
HOPE VI addresses the eradication of severely distressed public housing.
If approved, the HOPE VI award would provide $15 million in grant money while generating $47 million in total construction, new jobs and building supplies and an estimated $195,000 per year increase in property tax revenues.
The grant money could only be used on public housing, however, and not on items like railroad crossings.
Part of the plan calls for the demolition of 100 public housing units along with construction of 300 units, of which 100 would be public housing.
The other 200 units are what the consulting team are basing the source for the projected increase in property tax revenues of $195,000 per year.
The East Rome study area totaled 593 acres that extend from the north at the intersection of East 2nd Avenue and the rail line south to Hwy. 411. Maple Street closely bisects the area and is the main roadway through the study area.
Skach said creation of the draft revitalization plan consisted of five phases. More HERE
