I am writing this letter with upmost concern regarding the “Flat Iron Building” on South Broad. Since moving to Rome forty years ago, I have seen one historic structure after another disappear from the Rome landscape.

The Train Depot on First Avenue was torn down and grass planted. I also saw the First Avenue Theatre along with almost every other structure on East First Avenue disappear to be replaced with parking lots and empty areas. I also have seen the First Baptist Church tear down one of the oldest brick homes in Floyd County to build a parking lot. I again watched as the First Presbyterian Church replaced the old Harbin Clinic and several old homes with yet another parking lot.

With horror I once again watched the First Methodist Church tear down the historic Washington Apartments along with several other historic homes to build another place to park. We have an empty lot on one of the main corners on Broad Street where a historic building was needlessly destroyed and most recently the old Pure Station on Second Avenue was leveled for nothing but another parking lot.

Rome has a poor record on Historic Preservation. When does this reckless behavior stop? I have repeatedly told the City Commission that if we continue with this tear down and pave over mentality then finally we will have no more historic structures to worry about. I challenged one person on the board to have the integrity to stand up for historic preservation. No one stood up. I did not have much hope that would happen. I’m sure Sue Lee will take this historic building down and put it under her belt with Etowah Terrace.