BY DANIEL SCHMIDT
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — A network of walking trails in southeast Auburn will see greater connectivity and safety in the future, giving residents additional options to move around town.
That comes after the Auburn City Council on May 20 unanimously approved a $53,500 contract with Foresite Group for the Mills Trail pedestrian bridge project.
That contract will cover the cost of surveys, analyses, design, permitting and construction administration.
In total, the project includes three prefabricated pedestrian bridges and additional paths over Town Creek and two nearby tributaries.
Those bridges and paths will extend for three-quarters of a mile from Moores Mill Road to Wrights Mill Road.
While there is currently no publicly available timeline attached to the proposed project, the Public Works Department intends to present a construction schedule and revised budget during the city’s next biennial budget process. Such a meeting would likely occur sometime this summer.
Until the council approves the city’s next biennial budget, it is unclear when construction on the bridges and paths could be completed.
Ward 5 council member Sonny Moreman praised the project, recalling his time walking the area as a young child living and attending the nearby Wrights Mill Road Elementary School.
“I think this kind of caught us flat-footed. I flipped [the packet] open and I said, ‘Honey, you’ve got to see this, this is really great,’” Moreman said. “I look forward to seeing this project develop, and I appreciate those who had the vision and the wisdom to make this happen.”
Ward 6 council member Bob Parsons, who represents the district where the project will be located, also expressed his excitement for the project.
“This happens to be in Ward 6 and I’m super excited about that as well,” Parsons said. “It’s a reality exciting development for this town. I really hope that this trend continues. I can see opportunities for connectivity above and beyond this.”
OTHER BUSINESS
The council approved the creation of a “Back to School” sales tax holiday. That sales tax holiday, which runs from July 18 through July 20, will exempt certain items from city sales taxes.
The council approved a $15,750 contract with Affordable Comfort Cooling Systems and Plumbing for the annual HVAC maintenance at Parks and Recreation facilities.
The council approved a $67,716 contract with The Climate Service for annual HVAC maintenance at the Public Works and Public Safety facilities.
The council approved a $53,622 contract with SHI International for continued cybersecurity services.
The council appointed Mary Thomas Boyd to the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Her unexpired term begins immediately and ends on Jan. 20, 2026.
The council authorized the submission of the 2024 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
The council accepted public easements from Wilmar Moises Gonzalez Laynez. Those easements are located in the Shelton Park Subdivision immediately south of 854 Hollins Road.
The council accepted public easements and rights-of-way from Mitchell Triple D Farm and ADARE Development Group. Those easements and rights-of-way are located in the ADARE Subdivision, which is located off of Moores Mill Road and roughly 0.5 miles east of Society Hill Road.
The council accepted various public easements and rights-of-way from Quail Chase Group. Those easements and rights-of-way are located at the Quail Chase subdivision, which is located at the northern end of Green Briar Lane.
The council approved a commercial support use Greystone Commercial Development to operate a miniature warehouse and climate storage facility located at 1800 East Samford Ave.
The council approved a road service use for Hertz Car Rental to operate a car rental office located at 1655-H S. College St.
The council approved a performance residential use for Shelton Mill to expand its multiple-unit development located at 580 Shelton Mill Road.
The council approved the vacation of a sidewalk easement located at 122 Toomer St. to Wateverview Properties.
The council approved an outdoor café permit for AU Mac Bar, which is located at 138 N. College St.
