Auburn city officials are putting in motion a $1.3 million plan to liven up the area around the downtown parking deck and its neighbors.
The planning team took advice and recommendations from various civic groups, businesses and citizens to help form a vision they hope will revitalize the space into a more appealing, multi-purpose, patron-friendly event area.
Several different renovation scenarios were mapped out in a detailed report that was presented at the Aug. 7 city council meeting.
The plans vary from more parking with less space for pedestrians and outdoor eating to more dining- and walking-friendly designs.
Nearly 100 new public parking spaces will be added to the estimated 538 already downtown, about a 16 percent increase.
Of the 538 spots, 372 are metered during the day.
The original discussions for a downtown project late in 2011 that prompted this January's referendum put the price tag at approximately $750,000.
City officials said the plan expanded after the city saw results from the annual citizen's survey showing an interest in more than simply increasing parking spots. Replies showed 61 percent of those surveyed identified more parking as a main concern.
"We kind of took it from a pure parking project and looked at the other things we could achieve," said Assistant City Manager Kevin Cowper.
The plans presented at the Aug. 7 city council meeting place a little more than half of the new parking spots on the east side of the parking deck, where the Auburn Bank drive-thru teller stand is located along with a vacant building.
Both buildings are on city-owned ground and will be demolished this fall when the bank leaves the booth for the new drive-thru across Gay Street.
Bank president Bob Dumas expects the move to be completed by late September.
City Manager Charlie Duggan said there are plans to build 67 temporary parking spots upon the demolition of the buildings.
Duggan and Cowper said the city will probably hire a consultant in early 2013, and both expect major work to begin on the east side of the deck by that summer.
The west side of the deck will feature just fewer than 50 spaces in an area that will also be used for things such as outdoor music shows and tailgating.
The fall events will give citizens the chance to utilize the new entertainment district laws.
Businesses along East Magnolia Avenue and North College Street such as Little Italy, Mellow Mushroom and Moe's Barbecue can look forward to brick sidewalks, more parking spots and outdoor, cafe-style porch areas.
Most of the leased parking spaces in the west side will be moved into the deck.
The parking area near Bloodhound will resemble the brick paved parking area in Opelika near Irish Bred Pub.
The west side will see construction beginning in 2014.
Planners said the city will do its best not to inconvenience football fans this fall or next fall and will also try to work while it would cause the least amount of disruption for the University.
Cowper said he understands that, because of the multiple owners of property and various patches of city-owned land, there will need to be a team effort in working through the new plans and construction.
Cowper said the new sidewalks and upgraded alleys along College and Magnolia will enhance downtown and provide patrons with a clearer idea of where they are in relation to certain establishments.
The Opelika Road corridor beautification project is taking priority right now, but Cowper said the city hopes to move out of the conceptual phase and into a comprehensive incorporation of the plans into a downtown master plan by early 2013.
The budgeting for the project is already complete.
Both the Opelika Road and downtown plans are part of a vision to revitalize the aesthetics of Auburn and spur new businesses and economic growth.
The planners specifically noted a desire to live up to the "Loveliest Village" nickname the city embraces.
The city's bond sales will be the primary financiers of the project, and though they may need more revenues later in the plans, Duggan said "things look pretty good" right now.
The plans that were presented at the city council meeting are available for public viewing at the city of Auburn's website under the city council meetings tab.
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