Thursday, August 31, 2023–12:30 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
As part of the local option sales tax negotiations last year, an agreement was reached that would see Rome City Police, Rome Municipal Court, and Floyd County Police vacate the joint law enforcement center downtown. The moves would free up more courtroom space.
The original deadline for the move was 12 months, which is up at the end of this year. Rome City Manager Sammy Rich continues to prospect all over town, trying to find something that would accommodate police and municipal court, at least on a temporary basis.
“Real estate is tough right now,” Rich said. “The county is very hopeful that we’re going to get out sooner than later so they can begin the renovations to move the lower courts there. Chances are, if we don’t find a permanent home, then we will likely have to find a temporary home.”
More than $22 million is included for a new Rome City Police headquarters in a special purpose, local option sales package that will go to voters on November 7. A possible location that has been discussed is Riverside Parkway. Finding a new home for the police department would become much more complicated should the SPLOST not pass.
“The agreement has been made that we’ve got to relocate,” Rich added. “So, obviously, as a city, we’ve got to find a new police department, and if the SPLOST were to not get approved, we would still have to figure out a way to relocate. The worst-case scenario would be the city having to borrow money to buy and renovate or to buy land and build something. So, that’s what we’re up against.”
As far as meeting the deadline for vacating the law enforcement center, Rich said “It’s possible.”
In May it was announced that the Floyd County Police headquarters would be moving from the joint law enforcement to the former Glenwood School campus off Old Dalton Road.
The Floyd County Commission has approved a contract with E Dunay Design for architectural services and according to Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord, the process is moving but it needs to move a lot quicker.
“We have a lot of steps to go in the process,” he said during a recent county public safety committee meeting. “Our judicial folks have been more than patient, so we need to get moving and get some activity on that pretty quick.”
The trailers and anything else outside the facility have been moved and anything left behind by the school system, such as desks and chairs, is being shopped to government agencies, and whatever is left will go on GovDeals. In addition to the cleanup of the facility, there will still need to be some site work done, according to McCord.
