The city of Rome is not spending money fast enough. At least not in a manner that the Department of Housing and Urban Development thinks is timely.

Bekki Parris, compliance officer with the city’s Community Development Department, told the Community Development Services Committee Wednesday that HUD is likely to send a formal notice to Mayor Wright Bagby that the city is a bit behind in actually spending Community Development Block Grant funds, and future grants could be held up until the city submits a “Work out” plan to the feds.

Parris said issues related to right of way acquisition on the Lyons Drive project in West Rome have been the primary culprits.

“We originally thought it was a job our street department could do but as time went on and the scope of the project became larger, … and city forces have been reduced, we thought ‘No we just have to put this out to bid,’” Parris said.

A low bid of $309,000 has been submitted for the widening project, and Parris added, “If we can knock that out in six months that’s certainly going to put us in our regulations from HUD.”

The Kingfisher Trail project along the Etowah River in South Rome has been another thorny issue. Problems there have involved right of way acquisition and the scope of a bridge across Silver Creek.

The community development committee agreed to re-bid the new dock at Heritage Park and that caused a bit of a stir because city officials have considered possibly reallocating some of the funds from a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant proposed for the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation’s rehabilitation project to help finance the dock project.

Foundation President Paul Griffin appeared before the committee to request that those funds, as much as $40,000, not be transferred.

Assistant City Manager Sammy Rich said the city is committed to the restoration project, but suggested that the funds be shifted to next year’s budget since the Foundation is planning to move forward with a roofing project before taking on improvements to the façade of the theatre.

South Rome Redevelopment Corporation Executive Director Karen Moore reported that Mercy Southeast brought in architects, engineers and environmental consultants earlier this week to look at the Etowah Terrace site where Mercy, in partnership with the South Rome agency, plans to build a 77 unit senior living complex.

Moore also said that an advisory group, made up of representatives from churches, businesses and neighborhood groups will meet in December to work with Mercy architects to make certain the design of the complex fits in with the South Rome community.