Thank you to those who have recently written articles about the wonderful history of the Howell Grocery flatiron building in Rome. This property at 601 South Broad is being obtained by eminent domain, and the property owner will therefore lose the livelihood of his home and business.

The property owner and taxpayers have requested this landmark building be saved but to no avail.

It will most likely be demolished when it can easily and economically be adapted for reuse. The building would also act as a safety buffer to the playground that is planned in the middle of the two roads. The adaptive reuse possibilities are many. How beautiful it would be to have a community garden, arts center or even a covered playground/pavilion with the interior being gutted to leave the exterior of this landmark building. 

Now the matter is in the hands of the (Rome) Board of Education who has the power to save this landmark. No one in city government or education making the decisions had the vision to think outside the box, and votes thus far have been to rubber-stamp to approve with total disregard to public outcry.

The reasons given to not save the flatiron building have been (that) it is not economically feasible and it is a safety hazard with the school being located in this area. If safety was considered, then this location should have never been chosen to put a school in the middle of two busy roads when there are better and more economical locations in the area. It would be interesting to know if this location even meets the legal criteria of the taxpayer SPLOST which is paying for the school.

It is not too late to save the flatiron building. It is not too late to rethink a more appropriate location for the school. The Board of Education needs to not be close-minded, rethink this matter and not let government red tape and power get in the way. 

Please do what is right so the students and the taxpayers can be proud of the new Anna K. Davie Elementary School. Prove to the taxpayers that our SPLOST money is being used wisely rather than these poor decisions being made, as the success of this project will affect the outcome of future SPLOST projects.