What's next for the Rome Cable Tower? Mohawk Valley EDGE is asking residents for feedback
What’s to come of the Rome Cable Tower? Mohawk Valley EDGE has asked locals for help deciding the property’s next steps.
The tower is part of a 59-acre former industrial complex that's long been the subject of environmental remediation, EDGE officials said. For over a decade it stood adjacent to the former Rome Cable Corporation factory until the site was demolished in 2020.
“Rome Cable is one of the largest and most challenging brownfields in the region,” said Steven J. DiMeo, president of the Mohawk Valley EDGE.
The property cost $20 million in environmental remediation to be brought to industrial standards, he added.
Moving forward, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to provide Brownfields Technical Assistance, EDGE said in a statement.
EDGE Vice President of Planning Laura Cohen said regardless of the tower's next phase construction will be "clean."
“The entire site is zoned for industrial land uses with a focus on clean manufacturing," she said. "We believe that adaptive reuse of urban core real estate and preservation of agricultural land are some of the best ways to reduce our climate impacts and guarantee a more sustainable future for our prosperity.”
Why brownfields?
Re-powering is an EPA initiative that encourages renewable energy projects on formerly contaminated lands such as brownfields, super fence cities, modding sites and landfills.
The EPA’s brownfield program claims that re-powering benefits local communities in several ways. Neighboring residential properties increase 5-15% in value.
“Developing this property relieves development pressure on otherwise prime agricultural lands while avoiding urban sprawl,” said Cohen. “Remediating brownfields is practical, and it's an environmental imperative. From a utilitarian standpoint, it just makes sense.”
Cohen also acknowledged the state is running out of new sites for development.
“Impoverished populations have long suffered the brunt of environmental injustice; remediated brownfields offer a viable alternative,” she said.
A chance to learn more
The Mohawk Valley Brownfields Developer Summit at Herkimer College from April 23-24 is a two-day event set to spotlight the Rome Cable Tower, among other local redevelopment opportunities.
According to EDGE officials the goal is for environmental scientists, state & federal agencies, non-profit organizations and development professionals to ideate with one another.
EDGE Director of Marketing and Communications Hannah Phillips pointed out the location for the summit was intentional, as there’s an educational component as well.
“The primary thrust is to help communities across the six county region understand the science, policy and resources involved in remediation. From tax information to removing barriers to re-development, the program sets a contextual stage while also including why brownfield processes are important.”
Civic engagement
When it comes to the Rome Cable Tower, Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), an international nonprofit organization of commercial property professionals, submitted a 29-page report to the City of Rome and Mohawk Edge last February.
In 2021 CRE was brought to the scene through a partnership with the Center for Creative Land Recycling. They were asked to seek possibilities for future land redevelopment.
After conducting outreach with stakeholders, business owners, economic development professionals, and art institutions the report made two primary site suggestions: "clean manufacturing and incorporating a nature trail to encourage connectivity with the surrounding neighborhood,” EDGE officials said.
To get the ball rolling, EDGE has proposed ideas along the lines of employer-provided childcare, a fitness center, a job training facility or to cover the big, gray tower in artwork. Officials said they’re also open to more eccentric proposals, like a doggie daycare, billboard advertising or a livestream webcam observation tower.
The public is encouraged to submit their proposals at: tinyurl.com/3utfn7be.
Cohen said the planning team is less concerned about a timeline as they are with finding the developer for the building.
She pointed to what Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and the Chamber of Commerce did with the General Cable Water Tower – celebrating Rome’s industrial heritage by showcasing the arts– as an example.
“This is by no means a sprint,” joked Cohen. “We can’t quite decide if it’s a marathon or more of a rugby tournament but either way this community is all-in.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Rome Cable Tower: Officials seek ideas for brownfield reuse
