BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HLESTER@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
Target is one step closer to opening in downtown Auburn.
Target received its alcohol beverage licenses during the Auburn City Council meeting Tuesday night.
The council approved retail beer (off premise only) and retail table wine (off premise only) ABC licenses for Target Corporation, doing business as Target Store T3421 at 129 N. College St.
One local citizen brought up a point about Target’s colors, however, in downtown.
Ty Torbert brought up a recent incident where a Whataburger in downtown Tuscaloosa had to remove its traditional colors because they too closely resembled Auburn.
“I was wondering if it is a possibility to do the same here with the Target,” Torbert said. “With it resembling, as we all are aware of, our biggest rivals’ colors.”
Torbert attempted to persuade Auburn Mayor Ron Anders to be the mayor “standing up for the Auburn people.”
The college student had the council in stitches as they laughed at his jokes. However, one council member, Ward 1 Connie Fitch Taylor, asked if it would be a possibility.
One city official said that Target was insistant that it retain its logo and colors.
“I’m sure they’re going to have a lot of Auburn gear and a lot of toilet paper,” said Development Services Executive Director Scott Cummings.
OTHER BUSINESS
– The council announced two board vacancies on the Greenspace Advisory Board.
– The council approved a business license penalty waiver request for GFL Solid Waste Southeast LLC.
– The council approved a contract with Aerzen USA Corporation for a HC Morgan Emergency Repair for the Blower No. 2 motor replacement for a little over $41,000.
– The council approved a contract with Alabama Power for lighting services agreements for the Lake Wilmore Park Community Center for over $111,500.
– The council approved the purchase of a one-year subscription for 200 Palo Alto Cortex XDR Pro licenses, 200 Palo Alto Cortex XDR Host Insight licenses and 750 Palo Alto Cortex CDR Prevent licenses for over $16,900 from SHI International.
– The council approved the purchase of 30 Juniper Networks AP43 wireless access points and three Juniper Networks EX4100-48P switches with software and support for over $49,000 from SHI International.
– The council approved a contract with Twin Oaks Environmental for the HC Morgan Streambank Stabilization Project for over $62,700.
– The council approved a contract with WOW! Business for a three-year renewal of existing fiber ethernet services and voice services for over $4,300 a month.
– The council approved the establishment of a stop sign in the Glenwood Farms Subdivision, Phase 3.
– The council approved the establishment of two stop signs and a 25 MPH sign in the Hunters Hill Subdivision.
– The council approved the annexation of 4.05 acres located on the north side of Lee Road 146 (Moores Mill Road), west of Society Hill Road, for Trae Hamm and Mary Hamm.
– The council approved a contract with Temple Inc. for management services for the city’s traffic control center for over $253,100.
– The council approved a contract with the General Maintenance Contractors of East Alabama Inc. for the FY 2023 Fiber Expansion Project for over $377,600.