Auburn City Council discussed ongoing construction on Cox Road and Opelika Road during Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole.
Before adjournment, council member Tommy Dawson of Ward 8 communicated citizens’ concerns about the ongoing construction on Cox Road. They were concerned about why the construction has taken so long and when it will be completed.
City Engineer Alison Frazier was available to answer the questions Dawson had. Frazier explained that Cox Road was “substantially complete” which means the contractors have completed all major requirements for the City.
Frazier said that the City has to complete the permanent lining and markings on the road which she said has been difficult because there is one contractor in Alabama that does permanent road lining.
“So, we are at their mercy,” Frazier said. “Not only for this project but for several other projects.”
The Cox Road project started in June 2020 and Dawson questioned if it was normal to take two years to complete a road work project.
Frazier said that projects can be delayed due to weather, extensions on scope of work and and “sometimes it is contractor efforts or lack thereof.”
Frazier did not have a specific date for completion, but said that the contractor will be in Auburn this month.
For Opelika Road, Frazier said she expects completion to be in early summer pending weather delays.
“You’ve got some businesses that are out there hurting because of this and I can understand their pain,” Dawson said.” Frankly, I agree with them.”
City Manager Megan Crouch said that there has been comments on social media with concerns about the construction and Council member Jay Hovey of Ward 7 said he felt that communicating updates through social media should be a priority.
The council recognized two Auburn High School students for their accomplishments in athletics. Charlie Sexton won an individual state championship for the 60-meter dash and Erin Clarkson won an individual state championship in the 102-pound division for wrestling.
Sexton finished with a time of 6.84 seconds and now holds the AHS record. Clarkson, a sophomore, pinned her opponent in the girl’s division at Thompson High School to earn her state title.
Mayor Ron Anders presented both students with their awards as the Council officially recognized the students and their coaches for their accomplishments.
The Council discussed the Community Development Block Grant 2022 Annual Action Plan and Program Year 2022 funding recommendations. The block grant allocates approximately $700,000 to fund programs that will help provide housing, infrastructure and economic development for low to moderate income families and individuals.
Council member Kelley Griswold of Ward 2 removed this item from the consent agenda to ensure the public is aware of the terms and the benefits of the CDBG.
Crouch said that the block grant is federal money with no preference given to neighborhoods and instead is based off of income levels set by the government.
The grant would fund programs like housing, public improvement, infrastructure, economic development and public service groups. Al Davis, community services director, said that the funding goes toward all sorts of programs like day cares and rental assistance.
“So all of the projects — whether it is funding for the food banks — just an array of things that we fund with out CDBG program,” Davis said. “They benefit the entire city.”
Davis said applications for funding are being reviewed and the City will further decide how to allocate funds to each program.
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