ROME — Plans are underway for a possible Five Below or other retailer to make a location at the former JC Penney department store at Freedom Plaza, 205 Erie Blvd. W.

Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo said Thursday that DCL Management, the company that operates Freedom Plaza, plans to use a portion of JC Penney for the new retailer. The exact square footage could not be learned, but the mayor said she understands that DCL only plans to use a portion of the former JC Penney space.

Izzo said the city learned of DCL’s intent to lease the space to a new retailer at the location from a variance application that was submitted to the city
Zoning Board of Appeals for a new sign.

According to the Zoning Board agenda for its 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 meeting, DCL Management Corp., tenant of 2 Freedom Mall, is seeking to construct a 30-feet wide by 7-feet high building mounted business identification sign. The city code allows for a maximum size of 67 square feet. The proposed sign is 210 square feet, which is 143 square feet above the allowable size.

Chief Codes Enforcement Officer Mark Domenico said no other documents have been received by the city as far as the size of the space to be occupied by the new retailer or when the new store would open.

The DCL Management application does make reference to a “Five Below” sign to be installed at the Freedom Plaza location. However, DCL Management officials said Thursday that an agreement with Five Below has not been finalized and that other retailers have also shown interest in occupying the space.