Floyd County leaders have approved a contract to begin stabilizing the Historic Floyd County Courthouse after the March 23 fire, marking a major step toward eventually reopening parts of downtown Rome, including Fifth Avenue.

The Floyd County Commission approved a contract with Virginia-based Quality Plus Services Inc., the low bidder for the project at $407,680. The cost comes in addition to $15,000 for engineering of a structural steel band around the bell tower, about $20,000 for a performance bond, and a $77,000 contingency. The agreement is still awaiting final legal review.

County officials say the stabilization work is necessary before streets surrounding the old courthouse can reopen. Based on the structural engineer’s recommendation, roads around the building will remain closed until the process is complete.

Floyd County Manager Jamie McCord said the contractor is expected to move quickly once a purchase order is issued. He said the company has indicated it can be on-site within 24 hours of receiving the order, though officials are still finalizing contract details. McCord said he hopes reopening Tribune Street and Fifth Avenue could happen within about three weeks in a worst-case scenario.

The first phase of work will focus on stabilizing the Tribune Street side and the river side of the historic courtroom walls. McCord said the fire destroyed roof structures that once supported the gable ends, leaving parts of the building without critical support. Some debris will also need to be removed, though that work is not included in the current contract.

County leaders also plan to preserve bricks from the courthouse, whether damaged or intact, so they can potentially be reused if the building is rebuilt in some form later on.

Once the courthouse is stabilized, insurance adjusters will be able to safely enter the structure. After that, county officials expect to make more permanent decisions about the future of the building.

During a called meeting Monday, commissioners also approved an additional $150,000 in emergency funding to temporarily relocate offices that had been housed in the old courthouse. Much of that money will go toward equipment, including computers, monitors, document scanners, TV mounts, shredders, clocks, cash drawers, currency scanners, and a safe.

The commission had already approved $100,000 to relocate the tax commissioner, tax assessor, and tag office to the former joint law enforcement center across the street. County officials say insurance is covering the cost of those moves.