As Rome Prepares to Mark the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal, Improvements to Bellamy Harbor Will Make the City’s Waterfront an Attractive Recreation Area for Area Residents and Visitors
Brindisi’s Funding Allows the City to Purchase All-Terrain Vehicle so First Responders Can Access Rome’s New Trail System
Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi announced today he is awarding the City of Rome $625,000 through the State and Municipal Facilities Program. Funding will be used for major improvements at Rome’s Bellamy Harbor Park; for much-needed repairs and capital improvements for Rome city departments; and to replace outdated vehicles and equipment.
“Rome played a vital role in the history of the Erie Canal. This year, as we celebrate the canal’s 200th anniversary, it is important that Rome has facilities at its waterfront to welcome visitors, and encourage local residents to enjoy this wonderful recreational asset. This funding will allow the city to complete renovations and amenities to make Bellamy Harbor a destination along the canal. This funding also will allow the city to make badly needed upgrades to several public buildings, and to replace outdated equipment used by first responders and other city departments,” Brindisi said.
“The City of Rome is very grateful to Assemblyman Brindisi for helping to secure funding through the State and Municipalities Facilities Program which will assist with a wide range of projects we would not otherwise have the ability to fund through our general city budget,” said Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo. “These funds will allow us to continue improvements to the Bellamy Harbor Park area in preparation for this summer’s statewide celebration of the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal.
“There will be much-needed renovations as well to the Interrogation Room at the police station, as well as facilities upgrades to the DPW garage and the wastewater treatment facility.”
Brindisi says the following is a summary of how the $625,000 in funding he is awarding will be utilized:
- Making major public waterfront access improvements to Bellamy Harbor Park, including completion of the Rome Navigation Center and its shower, bathrooms, laundry and pavilion; complete site lighting; a paved pedestrian walkway connecting both sides of the waterfront park under the Mill Street bridge; new pedestrian trail segments along the existing promenade; parking facility improvement and bathroom facilities inside of the existing canal terminal building. These improvements are designed to offer better accessibility to the mobility impaired. Improvements to the Navigation Center and Canal terminal building will create a destination, and enable the city to host public events year-round at the park, while at the same time encouraging trail users and boaters to spend more time at the waterfront.
- The purchase of an All-Terrain Vehicle with equipment for first responders to gain access to the city’s new pedestrian trail system.
- Renovations to the Rome Police Department interrogation rooms, which have not been updated since 1985.
- Updating GIS and mapping equipment for the Rome City Engineer’s Office.
- Storage building for the city Water Department to house equipment
- Replacing a 54-year-old overhead door and electric openers at the Department of Public Works with an energy efficient door.
“The projects the City of Rome will be able to complete through this funding will help the city to really highlight its waterfront, and will also fund some urgently needed projects to help improve the city’s public works and public safety facilities. These capital projects will make a significant difference in the city’s quality of life, and its ability to provide vitally needed services to the public,” Brindisi said.
“The $625,000 secured by Assemblyman Brindisi will certainly help us to move forward with very vital capital projects throughout our city infrastructure. Again, we appreciate the Assemblyman’s determined efforts to return much-needed state dollars to the City of Rome, helping to ensure we will be at the forefront of public safety and infrastructure improvements,” Izzo said.