AS ROME PREPARES to further level and facelift the West Third Avenue riverfront so that “downtown” can jump the Oostanaula and head for an eventual “marriage” with all the development around Floyd Medical Center, it is worth noting this is “business as usual” that has continued throughout the economic downturn gripping the state and nation.

This time, of course, it is to make way and room for the planned multi-story hotel right opposite The Forum, then for an envisioned phase two with retail shops and condos at the foot of the new Chief John Ross Pedestrian Bridge. Barron Stadium has already been massively overhauled and updated.

But it is more than that, and while work authorized and being paid for by earlier special penny taxes (SPLOST) is involved in much of this, it has really been a mix of constant advances/improvements that Greater Romans have become used to but, in current times, would make residents of other places where the pulling in of civic horns has become the new normal look on in amazement.

While everybody, at home and away, talks about little other than that economic progress and activity have been stalled, the opposite has been true here. Most recently: the Armuchee Connector, Etowah Terrace opening to new tenants. That doesn’t even count the largely unnoticed “small stuff” like the new right-hand turn lanes and busy intersections, the small new enterprises/restaurants appearing, the sprucing up of Broad Street.

That bodes very well for this region when the nation “comes out the other side” of its current dark tunnel. It will then both be ahead of where it was when this all began and have proven its progressive nature.