CONSIDERING ALL THE FLAK it received in the concept stage, the Chief John Ross Memorial pedestrian bridge certainly appears to have won over many local — and visitor — hearts. Linking the new Town Green and the west side of the Oostanaula River, it has become a great place from which to take in all the center of Rome offers and has gained. Dang! From there this almost looks like a real city!

Not only that but Hilton hotel interests having taken an option on the city-owned acreage opposite the Green/Forum/etc., it may well be bringing new business … and dollars … to town. It’s a shame the new tourist attraction is being cut off from its east side for up to a year by the continuing development of the riverfront plaza (boat dock, etc.) but its scenic vistas can still be accessed from the west although the “shortcut” for walkers is in limbo.

But wait! Suppose Hilton folks exercise their option and want to start building a five-story hotel right away? Wouldn’t that construction then also, for some months at least, mean both sides of the bridge will be closed and the views denied to residents and guests alike?

How’s about Rome considering placing a rotating web cam at the bridge centerpoint with forever views offered on its web site … and those of any other local agencies and businesses that want to feature the best look at what downtown is like? During the bridge’s construction the city had a webcam in place so anybody could watch as it went up so that’s something it must already know how to do.

Everybody, anytime they wish, should be able to see how pretty Rome looks nowadays from a vantage point high above the center of the Oostanaula River.