The newest addition to the historic Myrtle Hill Cemetery will have its debut a little later than originally planned.

Rome Public Works Director Jamie McCord told the city’s public works committee Tuesday that the $2.4 million mausoleum located on

the northeast side of Myrtle Hill is on track for completion in April.

“Crews have continued to work despite the weather,” he said. “It’s been a tough January and most of February for them out there, but things are really going well.”

The project was originally slated to have been completed this month, but the recent periods of heavy rains along with other minor issues have delayed construction.

The work is being funded through presales, a $600,000 influx from the cemetery fund and a loan of about $1.5 million from the city’s insurance fund.

When finished, the mausoleum will add 588 crypts and 580 cremation urn niches to Myrtle Hill Cemetery, which is now out of space.

A niche wall located on the back — the southern side — of the mausoleum has been designed with an option to expand it in the future to add more cremation urn niches.

“Around the nation, cremation niches are more popular now than they have ever been,” McCord said.

The building is taking shape, he said. Crews are pouring the roof, with brick work slated to follow and granite work not far behind.

McCord said there will still be work to do after the mausoleum is completed. They already have called for bids to landscape around the structure, and a new paved parking lot will likely be done in late April.

The committee also approved requests to close off portions of Broad Street for two First Friday Concert block parties.

Downtown Development Director Ann Arnold presented the requests and said that, with the success of similar events last year, there is an interest to do more this year.

The 200 and 300 blocks of Broad Street will be closed for the opening concert on May 3, while the 300 and 400 blocks will be closed for the final concert on Sept. 6.

All other concerts are scheduled to take place at Bridgepoint Plaza.

Arnold also talked about a possible block party in conjunction with a 5K Halloween Zombie Run in October, which would require the closures of the 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Broad Street.

The committee gave its conditional approval of the event pending more details.

The Alcohol Control Commission has already approved public consumption of alcohol for all three events.