BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
It appears that Mr. Gatti’s is still on its way to Opelika — at least, according to the Opelika City Council agenda.
Tuesday night, during the Opelika City Council meeting, the council approved a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer license for Flynn’s Arcade LLC, doing business as Mr. Gatti’s Pizza.
The Observer reported in a 2022 issue of LIVE Lee that Mr. Gatti’s announced in 2019 that it would return to Lee County.
“Mr. Gatti’s previously held two locations in Auburn and Opelika during the company’s height of popularity in the 1970s through the 1990s,” the article said. “However, both locations closed their doors in the early 2000s, leaving a pizza-sized hole in the hearts of many fans of Mr. Gatti’s Pizza.”
At the time, a sign was located on a building on 1st Avenue in Opelika, down the street from Mama Mochas and Resting Pulse Brewing Company.
The company also announced in 2019 that it would have a South College Street location.
The Opelika City Council e-packet did not list any more information about the restaurant, other than the retail alcohol licenses.
OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a temporary street closure from Heritage House for an event. Grandma Val’s Lemonade has partnered with the Heritage House for a summer picnic during the Midsummer Market event to be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on July 7.
– The council held a public hearing for a demolition at 509 1st Ave. and approved the demolition.
– The council held a public hearing for a demolition at 315 S. 4th St., but later tabled the resolution pertaining to the demolition.
– The council held a public hearing for a demolition at 2013 Waverly Parkway and approved the demolition.
– The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement assessment at 1733 1st Ave. and approved the assessment.
– The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement assessment at 206 Byrd Ave. and approved the assessment.
– The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement assessment at 615 Martin Luther King Blvd. and approved the assessment.
– The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement assessment at 309 Spring Hill Ave. and approved the assessment.
– The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement assessment at 510 Walker St. and approved the assessment.
– The council approved a request from Red Clay Brewery for a street closure on June 22 for a Bike Night event.
– The council awarded a bid for the purchase of ductile iron utility poles from McWane Poles for Opelika Power Services.
– The council awarded a bid for vacuum excavation and utility daylighting services to Smith Industrial Service Inc. for Opelika Power Services.
– The council awarded a bid for the construction of a multi-use trail along the banks of Pepperell Branch ADECA, RTP Project 22-RT-54-03, to Robinson Paving Company for just over $711,200 for the Engineering Department. The city will receive back $211,000 from an ADECA grant for the project.
– The council approved expense reports from various departments.
– The council approved the purchase of two 20 cubic yard Heil DP Side Loaders mounted on a 2024 Mack LR Chassis with body service hoist option using the Sourcewell Contract No. 091219-THC from Ingram Equipment Co. LLC for nearly $710,000 for the Environmental Services Department.
– The council approved change order No. 1 with Harmon Engineering for substation site work for Opelika Power Services, increasing the contract amount to $109,575, an additional $12,000. The change allows for the removing and replacing of unsuitable material (top soil).
– The council approved a services agreement with Motorola Solutions Inc. for the Opelika Police Department and Opelika Fire Department for more than $1.2 million to upgrade the city’s communication system with Motorola.
– The council approved a special appropriation to Envision Opelika for Worthy Squared.
– The council tabled the ordinance pertaining to the zoning ordinance and map for Gateway Drive and Interstate 85, a total of 14.86 acres from C-2 to a planned unit development.
– The council amended section 4-78 of the city code of ordinances relating to large animals running at large.
– Ward 1 Council Member George Allen introduced an ordinance to amend the city code of ordinances in order to repeal two outdated divisions and five outdated articles.