Members of the South Rome Redevelopment Corp. (seated) listen as Logan Boss (standing from left) and Russ McClanahan ask the board to help them save the old Howell Grocery building at East Main and South Broad streets. The building is expected to be taken down as part of the plan to building a new Anna K. Davie Elementary School nearby. (Doug Walker, RN-T.com)
Some South Rome citizens are leading an effort to save the old Howell Grocery, also referred to as the Triangle Building, from the wrecking ball as part of plans for a new school. (Doug Walker, RN-T.com)
South Rome resident Russ McClanahan asked the board on Tuesday for its support in a bid to convince the city to save the building when a new Anna K. Davie Elementary School is constructed during the course of the next 14 months.
McClanahan said that to the best of his research the building was constructed circa 1913.
“We just don’t have many historical buildings left in South Rome,” he said.
Logan Boss, in support of McClanahan’s request, said, “I think with some careful planning that could be addressed.”
Rome City Schools Superintendent Gayland Cooper has indicated that the school system has no plans to use the building, which it is attempting to acquire through condemnation proceedings.
The Rome Area Heritage Foundation has issued a letter urging the South Rome Redevelopment organizations to lend support to protection of the building.
“I would be very reluctant to recommend to the board that we do that,” said South Rome Redevelopment Agency Chairman Paul Ferguson.
Corporation Chairman Sam Moss agreed saying, “We’re in partnership with the Board of Education, and I’m not sure it would be appropriate for us to muddy the waters.”
The South Rome organizations are working with the school board to put a separate early learning and adult learning center in the new Anna K. Davie building.
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