Rome selects downtown projects for $10 million state award

ROME — Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo called it a “very proud day” in the city of Rome. 

She made the comment to open her remarks at the July 2 announcement of the 11 projects that will benefit from Rome’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award.

“This is the culmination of part of our effort and the beginning of a more robust time now where we will put these projects in motion and I hope that you’ll be back for a lot of ribbon cuttings,” Izzo told the gathering at Rome’s campus of Mohawk Valley Community College.

The projects in downtown Rome “will drive advanced manufacturing job growth, transform public spaces, improve walkability and transportation access,” the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release. 

The state announced Rome as the Mohawk Valley winner in the second round of the DRI competition last September. 

The projects

The projects will include a $2.5 million exterior and interior renovations of the Capitol Theatre, which is described as a “major arts and cultural tourism destination for the region and an anchor institution for the downtown [area].” 

They’ll also include construction of a $900,000 advanced-manufacturing facility. The 50,000-square-foot building will be located on the brownfield site of the former Rome Cable Complex 3, Cuomo’s office said. Rome–based Cold Point Corp. plans to expand in the new building, the City of Rome said in an email response to a CNYBJ inquiry.

“[The firm] will secure 35 jobs and they’re going to create 15 more,” Izzo said.

Cold Point Corp. manufactures “replacement and niche market air conditioning and heat-pump units,” according to its website.

Rome will also use $500,000 for a new structure at 183 West Dominick St. that will “meet a demand for high-quality commercial and multi-family residential space.”

The projects will include the demolition of the Liberty George parking garage and installation of a landscaped surface parking lot and open space on the site as a “temporary use” until Rome can secure a developer. That project will cost 

$1.5 million. 

Rome will spend more than $1.2 million for the creation of an expanded public space in City Hall to allow for four-season community programming. 

The projects also include more than $1.3 million improvements to the existing Liberty James Garage. Plans on this project will involve work on an existing walkway; replacing storefront glazing; repairing brick; adding wayfinding signage; repairing garage infrastructure; installing an automated ticketing system; and re-facing the façade.

The projects additionally include using $470,000 to establish a grant fund to leverage private investment in buildings to facilitate business retention, expansion and adaptive reuse. Improvements covered under the fund will include capital improvements and interior/exterior renovations. 

In addition, a $400,000 project will focus on upgrading the City Green to expand opportunities for year-round public use and programming of the green space outside City Hall. Improvements will include an ice skating rink, concert stage, temporary vendor support areas, and seasonal event space.

Rome will also use $250,000 to renovate the REACH Center at 201-211 West Dominick St. to provide 28,000 square feet of arts space on the upper floor, and 10,000 square feet of maker space on the ground floor. 

The projects also include a $400,000 effort to design and construct a new Centro transfer station adjacent to the City Hall parking lot on Liberty Street. 

Finally, Rome will use $150,000 to implement a “wayfinding” system to move residents and visitors through the downtown core.