Wednesday, February 7, 2024–9:25 a.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

As part of the local sales tax distribution agreement reached in 2022, Floyd County now has 100 percent ownership of the Sixth Avenue Parking deck adjacent to the joint law enforcement center downtown.

Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord told the Rome-Floyd County Joint Services Committee on Tuesday that they are getting ready to perform some heavy maintenance to the deck.

“We did about $200,000 in maintenance four or five years ago,” he said. “It comes down to age and use. It’s mostly joint sealing and drainage. There is some structural to be done–although not a lot. We estimate about $500,000 on Sixth Avenue.”

McCord added that the use is going to change since both the city and county police departments are moving to other locations. There will be more capacity for the public to use. He suggested that he and Rome City Manager Sammy Rich talk again about parking because the county is now managing their lots.

 “I just want to see it be consistent, so it’s not confusing for citizens,” said Floyd County Commission Chair Allison Watters.

The county also continues to manage the Fourth Avenue Parking Deck, which is pretty self-sufficient, according to McCord.

“Other than the elevator, which needs an upgrade,” he noted. “That’s probably going to be $200,000 to get an ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] elevator. Again, we have a lot of moving parts and a lot of changes to things that we have been set in stone since the 90s. I suggest that he [Sammy Rich] and I sit down and come up with a plan moving forward.”

McCord said Rome Downtown Development Director Aundi Lesley also needs to be a part of the conversation.