The City of Auburn is looking toward the future with a few projects on the horizon to reinvigorate the area. First on the list is the Renew Opelika Road project.
Designed to reinvigorate and redevelop the Opelika Road area, the project focuses on the future development of the corridor, including improving the traffic flow and areas around the highway to attract new businesses and support the existing businesses along the road.
The final meeting to discuss the Renew Opelika Road project was Thursday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Auburn City Council chambers.
"The purpose of the public meetings is to hear from stakeholders on the corridor, property and business owners, and the general public regarding the past, present and future of the Opelika Road corridor," said Justin Steinmann, principal planner. "We've focused on asking people what problems we need to address on the corridor, what form future development on the corridor should take and what transportation-related improvements we can make on Opelika Road."
The City of Auburn has held two previous meetings for the public to discuss the project,as well as held an online survey available for citizens to take to share opinions on the project.
"Input from stakeholders is vital to the success of the project and has driven many of the recommendations we are proposing in the plan," Steinmann said. The project website said Opelika Road was identified as one of the most important commercial areas of Auburn. The meetings offer the chance for citizens to share their opinions on the project.
"Everyone we have talked to is supportive of planning for an improved Opelika Road corridor," Steinmann said.
There are two parts to each meeting. First, attendees are provided with individual keypads and asked to vote on different questions about the topics.
"The results are shown in real time, so everyone has a sense of how the group responds to each question," Steinmann said.
The second half of these meetings allows for participants to review recommendations on the future of the Opelika Road corridor. Renew Opelika Road is scheduled to start in 2013 and, according to Steinmann, will be a long process.
"The plan has at least a 20-year time horizon," Steinmann said. "We anticipate beginning work on the physical infrastructure of Opelika Road and making changes to zoning along the corridor starting in 2013."
The project will affect Auburn citizens in a few ways according to Steinmann.
"The plan will help answer questions of how the community and city can support Auburn's existing businesses and attract new destinations for residents," Steinmann said. "The plan will also reflect the most effective way to improve traffic flow, pedestrian accessibility and the overall look and feel that citizens envision for the Auburn community."
Steinmann said next year the Commission will focus on a plan involving downtown.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
