Phase II of Rockmart’s streetscape project is still viable, according to local officials.

Jeff Ellis, city manager said that paperwork, including construction plans, have been forwarded to the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“It is my understanding that the project has been caught up in red tape,” Ellis said.

Once funding approval is received, the project should go to bid. It is not as extensive as the first Streetscape work, which included a major portion of Marble Street, downtown.

In May 2004, a memorandum of understanding with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for the project was approved. The Streetscape Project was authorized for design and a consultant during the same year.

The original TEA En-hancement Activity Project, totaling about $250,000 – was announced as a Federal Highway Program.

It was to be administered through the Department of Transportation (GDOT).

Council members have approved no defined area. However, the initial consensus is that the work will include the Marble Street intersection at Elm Street. From that point, the project would extend to the railroad tracks, Georgia Power office and to Slate Street near the Rockmart Post Office.

Phase II will allow motorists to view the theme used in Phase 1 as they enter the downtown area from the Post Office to the intersection rather than looking to the left at the traffic signal.

Many communities do more than the downtown area and local officials hope to widen the focus to this section of Rockmart. When visitors arrive from Cedartown, they will see Seaborn Jones Park and the Silver Comet Trail, which is blended into the current Streetscape theme.

Phase I of the Streetscape Project was funded for a total of $309,000. The City matched 60 percent of that amount with a final expenditure of $450,000. According to Ellis, the City put significant dollars into the first phase. This project has been what local and state officials have termed a “team effort.”

City officials have also been notified Rockmart has been approved for funds totaling $1.5 million for sewer rehabilitation. A local match of $450,000 will be needed.

Ellis said this is one of the six projects recently submitted to the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority and Department of Community Affairs.

In addition to Goodyear Village, other areas in Rockmart are in need of sewer line replacement and work.

A needs assessment survey was made recently to determine the age of sewer lines.

“We will be ready to move when documents are received and signed,” said Mayor Curtis Lewis.

He said plans are also being made to run a fresh water line to the drilled well near the one on Plum Street.