City Clocktower
Construction work to restore the City of Rome’s iconic clocktower is slated to begin this fall. The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has worked in partnership with the Rome Area Heritage Foundation on several fundraisers this year in efforts to help offset the costs of the renovation work.
The city is currently in the process of selecting a contractor to begin repairs on the landmark. Contractors will be open to bid starting Sept. 1 at 3:00 p.m. The winning bid will be awarded no later than Sept. 15, and the chosen contractor will have no more than 90 days to complete renovations.
Restoration work includes refurbishing the original clockworks on display, replacing rotted wood panels, painting wood surfaces such as the clock face, installing new flooring and updating the landscape.
The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau has helped raise roughly $15,000 of the $50,000 goal in conjunction with the Rome Area History Foundation. One of the most popular fundraising initiatives has been the selling of engraved bricks that will be inlaid on the grounds at the Clocktower.
“The Convention and Visitors Bureau has been a huge help to the city” said Rome City Clerk, Joe Smith. “Once we select a contractor, it will be in the contractor’s best interests to begin work right away to get the most out of their allotted time.”
The CVB has a couple more fundraisers planned to benefit the restoration of the clocktower before construction begins. The Last Stop Gift Shop will host an online art auction from Sept. 8 – 9 on the Last Stop Gift Shop Facebook page. The auction includes framed photographs and artwork of the clocktower. There are also limited edition ink prints of the clocktower available in-store at the Last Stop Gift Shop for $10 each.
The gift shop is also selling the last of the memorial clocktower bricks. Engravable bricks are available for $250 and will be installed on the grounds of the historic clocktower. The bricks are the perfect way to show support, mark a special date, or to remember those who share in the community’s love for the iconic landmark. All proceeds from the art auction and brick sales will benefit the restoration of the clocktower.
For more information on the clocktower renovations, contact Joe Smith at Rome City Clerk’s Office at 706-236-4460. For details on clocktower renovation fundraisers, contact the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706-295-5576.
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