By Hannah Lester
hlester@opelikaobserver.com
The Auburn City Council voted to approve a contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for projects on South College Street, Samford Avenue, Gay Street, Miller Avenue and Reese Avenue during its meeting on Tuesday night.
The city will match ALDOT over $3 million for the project which will include resurfacing, widening, traffic signals and drainage improvements.
The total project will cost $6.6 million said City Manager Megan Crouch.
This project will include another south-bound lane on South College Street; crosswalks on Samford Avenue, including one that will allow pedestrian travel in all four directions at Samford Avenue and South College Street; a new sidewalk behind the president’s mansion on South College Street; sidewalk improvements to Samford Avenue along Gay Street, improvements to the intersection at Samford Avenue and Gay Street and drainage work; a median on South College Street and a pedestrian crossing at the section of businesses around CVS and BurgerFi; and crosswalks on Miller Avenue, Crouch said.
Other improvements will include turn arrows and lighting.
“It is a comprehensive and massive project and half of the funding for this is coming from grant funds through the metropolitan planning organization and the other half is coming from the city,” Crouch said.
Redistricting:
Multiple residents and members of the local NAACP chapter spoke at Auburn’s City Council Meeting to discuss Auburn redistricting.
The redistricting map is set to be approved at the next council meeting but members asked that the council consider postponing the vote to look at numbers and data the NAACP provided.
This information will be covered in a follow-up story.
Other Business:
- The council approved a tax abatement extension for GE Aviation.
- The council approved a tax abatement extension for WPM Holdings, LLC.
- The council approved the city’s trash collection fee amnesty for March 14 through April 9, 2022.
- The council approved a contract with Harris Security Systems, Inc. for the Morgan Water pollution Control Facility Security Camera Installation Project for over $34,800.
- The council approved a three-year contract renewal with Kronos Incorporated for time and attendance software for over $105,300.
- The council approved the purchase of two 2023 International HV607 SBA Cab and Chassis for the Environmental Services Department for over $421,700 from the Southland Transportation Group.
- The council approved the purchase of Sutphen Heavy Duty Pumper Truck for over $538,100.
- The council approved a drainage easement for SMB Land, LLC, for property south of the Camden Ridge Subdivision.
- The council approved two appointments to the Cemetery Advisory Board.
- The council approved zoning ordinance text amendments.
- The council approved a franchise agreement renewal with Zayo Group, LLC.