BY MICHELLE KEY
MICHELLE@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
Get your golf clubs ready; GolfSuites is coming to Opelika. The Opelika City Council approved a resolution during Tuesday night’s city council meeting that allows for financial incentives to be paid to Broad Metro LLC.
The company recently purchased nearly 75 acres of land located at Gateway Drive and Interstate 85 and has entered into a contract to sell approximately 10 acres of that land which will be developed as a GolfSuites center, a golf entertainment venue. This project represents an approximate $7.4 million investment and is expected to create between 80 and 100 full- and part-time jobs in the area.
The agreement approved by the city council on Tuesday includes a revenue-sharing agreement with the developer. The revenue-sharing funds will be paid out of sales and lodging tax revenue generated by the development and paid out annually for a period of 15 years or when the incentive payments reach the cap of $7.5 million — whichever comes first.
The incentive will commence on or before Sept. 1, 2027, the date to be determined by when the venue (or one of a similar nature) is open at a substantially full capacity and has been granted Certificate of Occupancy by the city of Opelika. Other incentive conditions must also be met before or on Sept. 1, 2027, in order for the revenue-sharing to begin. Full details can be found in the city council agenda packet available on the city website.
The GolfSuites Center is expected to be a 371,467 square foot facility and will consist of a 250 foot (or greater) driving range, high-tech simulated greens, outdoor climate-controlled suites, restaurant and beverage areas.
CARTECH EXPANSION
The council also approved tax abatements and exemptions for Car Tech LLC during the meeting.
“Car Tech will be investing $26.9 million to build and expand its current Opelika facility,” according to a press release issued by the city of Opelika after the city council meeting adjourned.
Car Tech is located in the Fox Run Business Park and is a Tier 1 supplier for BMW Group. Its current facility consists of nearly 400,000 square feet available for its operations and the company announced plans to add almost 50,000 additional square feet.
“Our continued growth has come from both new customers and existing customers,” said Car Tech Plant Manager Shea Phillips in the press release. “Currently Car Tech employs 132 people, and this expansion will create 38 new team member positions which will fill warehousing, production and technical positions within the company.”
Opelika is fortunate to have Car Tech in the community said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.
“We are so fortunate to have Car Tech here,” Fuller said in the press release.
“Opelika is clearly focused on providing opportunities for our current businesses to grow and bring additional good paying jobs to our community.”
Lori Huguley, city of Opelika Economic Development director, also had good things to say about Car Tech in the statement.
“Car Tech is a great community partner,” Huguley said. “It is a great testament to our workforce and the business climate in Opelika that they continue to invest and grow here.”
OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a request downtown street closure for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon social event on Sept. 23.
– The council approved a request for a downtown street closure for the “Run For the Cause” 5K event on Oct. 14. .
– The council approved the purchase of a LUCAS 3 v3.1 chest compression system for the Opelika Fire Department.
– The council approved the purchase of one Marathon RJ-250 self-contained 34 cubic yard compactor using the Sourcewell Contract No. 040621-MEC.
– The council approved a resolution to adopt a transportation plan pursuant to the Rebuild Alabama Act.
– The council approved a resolution for the state of Alabama for State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program consent agreement.
– The council approved a contract extension of city-wide ADA Roadway Improvements Project
– The council approved a proposal for a Compensation Study with Evergreen Solutions LLC.
– The council approved a quote of nearly $325, 000 from AdaptToSolve Inc. for cabling, physical access control and fire/security alarms at various city buildings.
– The council approved a resolution to waive all building and construction permit fees for Chattahoochee Fuller Center related to projects at properties located at 201 Dover St., 209 Raintree St. and 413 Jeter Ave.
– The council approved a resolution to authorize the annual excess loss insurance contract with Granular Insurance Company.
– The council approved a grant application for the 2023 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for the Opelika Police Department. The total of the grant application is $12,623.
– The council held public hearings for weed abatement assessments for properties located at 4 Ave. A and 308 Brannon Ave. The abatements were approved.
– The council approved a special appropriation for the amount of $3,000 to the Opelika Parks and Recreation Sportsplex for the Annual Health Fair on Oct. 3.
– The council held a public hearing and introduced an ordinance for its first reading for the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Map in order to rezone a 7,324 square feet lot located at 1625 1st Ave. from a M-1 district (industrial district) to a C-2 district (office/retail district),
– The council held a public hearing and introduced an ordinance for its first reading for the amendment of the Zoning Ordinance and Map in order to rezone 4.18 acres accessed from the 1700 Block Oak Bowery Road from R-1 district (rural district) to a R-2 district (low density residential district).
– The council voted to reappoint Linda Lanz and Rush Denson to the Historic Preservation Commission for a new terms that will expire Aug. 19, 2026.