BY DAVID BELL
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — At its regular meeting on Feb. 6, the Opelika City Council approved certain tax abatements and exemptions for local industries that are making large investments to improve or create manufacturing facilities.
Abatements were given to A&P Development LLC and Miele Manufacturing Inc., currently conducting improvements, renovations and equipment purchases at properties located on Orr Avenue. Miele, manufacturer of high-end domestic and commercial appliances, purchased two existing buildings and surrounding property in the old Orr Industrial Park to set up a manufacturing facility that will employ more than 160 workers. Miele will invest $3,370,200 to renovate one of the structures to serve as an office complex and another $8,789,912 to transform a warehouse into a state-of-the-art assembly plant, bringing the company’s total investment to $12,160,112.
The council also approved an abatement for Golden State Foods Corp., located in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. The company, which operates a beef processing plant that supplies products to McDonald’s and Nestle, is investing $9,407,256 to purchase new machinery at the facility.
OTHER BUSINESS
- In other business, the Council approved the purchase of two Ford F150 super crew pickup trucks for the Public Works Department on state contract from Stiver’s Ford-Lincoln in Montgomery, for a total price of $68,426.
- The council approved a request by Parks and Recreation to purchase outdoor casual furniture for the Sportsplex through local vendor Alabama Office Supply in the amount of $168,835.
- The council awarded a special appropriation to Opelika City Schools in the amount of $52,000 to purchase musical equipment.
- The council approved a request from Tienda El Paraiso LLC for a retail beer off premise license for its grocery store on Pepperell Parkway.
The council reappointed three members of the Board of Zoning Adjustments to new terms expiring in 2027. Chris Anthony and Wilbert Payne both received unanimous approval, while Angela George was reappointed by a vote of 3-1, with President Pro-Tem Erica Baker Norris voting against.
The Council approved requests for several downtown street closures for upcoming special events:
Traffic will be detoured on Feb. 24 for the Nourish Wellness 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run and on Feb. 25 for the Auburn Flyers Bicycle Race event.
The On Tap Craft Beer Festival will result in downtown street closures on April 6, as will the annual Burger Wars event on June 8.
Motorists are urged to be mindful of the traffic detours during these events and drive care-fully in the area throughout their duration.
The Opelika City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the Opelika Municipal Court Meeting Chambers at 300 MLK Blvd. Work sessions begin at 5:30 p.m., fol-lowed by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. Both are open to the public.