Monday, December 17, 2007

New I-14 propsed to open Black Belt

A new east-west interstate linking Augusta, Ga., and Natchez, Miss., may one day wind through Lee County.

April 17, 2007

A new east-west interstate linking Augusta, Ga., and Natchez, Miss., may one day wind through Lee County.

The proposed highway would link military bases along the route, including those in Macon, Ga., Columbus, Ga., and Montgomery, said Mayo “Biff” Hadden, director of business development for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

Hadden recently discussed the project and Lee County’s continued growth at a meeting at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.

The interstate project is “about a three-year old initiative now,” Hadden said. “It’s gone through a little bit of maturity as it’s been put together. But it’s really a critical function for what we’re striving to see, because it does so much to open up parts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.”

Although preliminary studies are not yet under way, observers expect the Lee County leg of the new interstate to follow either Interstate 85 into Auburn-Opelika and U.S. Highway 280 into Phenix City or I-85 to Tuskegee and U.S. Highway 80 into Phenix City.

The interstate, tentatively designated I-14, would be so named to reference the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Federal legislation introducing the concept of a new east-west interstate in 2004 encouraged its development in the Black Belt, stating that “disparity in transportation infrastructure investment has been a key contributing factor to the persistent poverty and social ills of this region.” The development of a new highway through the region, its sponsors hoped, would increase economic development opportunities for communities in the Black Belt.

In August 2005, the federal government appropriated $1.32 million for a corridor study of the proposed I-14 route as part of a larger transportation bill. Officials at the Federal Highway Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, say that the FHWA is in the process of bidding out the initial corridor study that will estimate construction costs and delineate the steps needed to build the interstate.

Tony Harris, special assistant to Alabama Department of Transportation Director Joe McInnes, said ALDOT officials in Montgomery aren’t familiar with plans for the proposed I-14. But they are aware of infrastructure concerns in the Black Belt, he said, due to their work on the proposed extension of I-85 west out of Montgomery into eastern Mississippi.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has been concerned with the underdeveloped nature of Alabama’s Black Belt region for several years, Harris said, adding that $116 million in state and federal funding has been approved to study the environmental impact and tentative routes of the I-85 extension.
Hadden estimates that it could be as many as 10 to 15 years before I-14 is operable - and that’s not including the development of any unexpected delays in planning or funding. Completion time and project costs could be minimized, Hadden said, by maximizing existing infrastructure and “piggybacking” the new sections of highway onto existing ones where possible.

Because rough sketches of the proposed I-14 in west Alabama would run that highway to within about 60 miles of the expected route of the I-85 extension, that leg of I-14 would be a sensible area to consider “piggybacking” the new road, Hadden said.

But supporters of the I-85 project are wary about whether such “piggybacking” would be beneficial to their plans.

On one hand, engineers cautiously agreed that layering a new project onto an existing one could help expedite the project’s funding and speed along the completion date for that leg of the broader project. But it could also hamper progress on the existing project, they said, because of the detailed environmental studies that are required for road projects.

I-85 extension project manager Paul Griggs said he understands why I-14 proponents would consider it a good idea to combine that leg of the highway onto plans for the I-85 extension. But he said it would be difficult to add additional mileage to the current I-85 extension study corridor, now at 140 miles long.

“I grant you that it’s hard to justify building another (interstate) where an interstate already exists,” Griggs said. “The more you add to (the study corridor), the more alternatives you can develop, the more it would have to be studied. It complicates things to make (the study) longer and longer. You would have to add everything to it to bring it up to speed, and it would take a long time to catch that far up to it.

“These projects take a long time. You wouldn’t want to hinder this project by adding to it as you get further along.”

Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, is a longtime proponent of the I-85 extension project, and aides say the $11 million he directed to the I-85 extension study in 2005 was the largest single one-time contribution for any highway project in the Black Belt. Press secretary Corey Ealons said Davis’ “primary desire” is to extend I-85 through the Black Belt and into Mississippi for economic development and industrial recruitment purposes.

“(Davis) is fine with (combining that leg of I-14 with the I-85 extension), as long as it doesn’t hinder the ultimate development of I-85 and the time table associated with getting that completed,” Ealons said.

Although I-14 is not even through its initial study phase, legislation pending in this year’s Congress would add project miles and cost to it on both ends, moving its termini to Wilmington, N.C., in the east and Austin, Texas, in the west.

Harris, the ALDOT official, said that no matter the route, funding will remain the “major issue” when dealing with road projects.

“We’ve got a five-year plan that we’re already so stretched for funding (for) that we are having to move projects around simply because of what costs are doing,” he said. “Even with combined state and federal revenue, we’re doing good to meet our needs with that.

“With new projects like these of a very grand scale, it’s hard to imagine where the funding will come from for those.”

Chamber members learn of the impact a new proposed interstate could have in the area

The prospects of a new interstate highway, Interstate 14, coming to east Alabama was part of a wake-up call for a room full of chamber members and guests early Tuesday morning in Auburn.

April 11, 2007

The prospects of a new interstate highway, Interstate 14, coming to east Alabama was part of a wake-up call for a room full of chamber members and guests early Tuesday morning in Auburn.

Interstate 14 is the proposed designation for a new freeway corridor between Natchez, Miss., and Augusta, Ga., with additional proposals extending west to Austin, Texas and east to Myrtle Beach, S.C. In this area, I -14 would branch off of Interstate 85 near Tuskegee and follow U.S. 80 to Phenix City.

The wake-up call the came in form of information about the interstate and an extension of another, two new 11-story buildings and new poultry industry in Phenix City and the impact of growth in Atlanta as presented by Biff Hadden with Science Applications International Corp., SAIC, the largest employee-owned research and engineering company in the United States.

Hadden said what is happening in this region impacts everyone differently.

“What is happening cannot be stopped. It is no longer about BRAC,” Hadden said. “We are in the middle of change we don’t understand.

“Preparing for change is the key,” he said.

Hadden said there are elements today that are dramatically different than the ones that he has focused on in years past.

“We know our population growth is accelerating, but what we are being overwhelmed with is the greater Atlanta metropolitan growth, he said. “If you don’t realize that, then it is time for a wake-up call.

He listed several over elements impacting this growth:

n migration of the retiree population up out of Florida,

n early stages of the Alabama’s I-85 technology corridor,

n potential interstates in the future, and

n a shift from horizontal construction mentality to a vertical construction mentality.

Hadden said he never thought he would see vertical construction in the Phenix City, Columbus, Ga., area.

“If you look at Phenix City today, the tallest structure is three stories. Within four to five months, they are breaking ground on two 11-story structures on the river.

“Two at one time, 11-stories. That takes you through two generations of construction overnight,” he said. “That is not growth as usual.”

Hadden has been involved in planning 30 years in the Army, 12 years with the chamber of commerce and now with a defense contractor.

He said the community needs to be involved in all of the planning for this growth.

“We firmly believe that overall strategies have to developed if we are going to do it and do it right. Planning has to be tied to the community. Any planning that goes on has to involve town hall meetings, has to involve our input, if we are going to be part of determining what our community looks like in the future and what our quality of life is going to be.

“You can never assume that somebody else is going to look out for your interests,” Hadden said. “You have got to get involved and do that for yourself.”

Hadden said it took him about 25 minutes to get to Auburn from Columbus.

“The folks that we are bringing in think nothing of a one-hour commute morning and evening,” he said. “How will a 30-minute drive hit them. It is great.”

He said the three things soldiers look for when looking for a place to live include: security of the family, public education and where can I get the shopping, recreation and those quality of life amenities.

Hadden said the next map of the Greater Atlanta MSA will include Georgia’s Troup County which is across from Alabama’s Chambers and Lee counties. The Greater Atlanta MSA presently includes 28 counties.

“Troup County right now has three 1,000-acre subdivisions platted, zoned and under the leading edges of construction,” he said. “It’s got more than five additional in early stages of planning.

“That is 8,000 acres in a community that has had stable, level growth and all of a sudden is being impacted by Atlanta specifically.

“What is right next to Troup County - Lee County. Where will Atlanta’s growth impact next - the edge of Lee County. If you go to the first Opelika exit as you come into Lee County, you will find several large subdivisions in the early stages of planning and development that are Atlanta-bound growth.

“There is nothing you can do about the Atlanta growth,” he said.

Lee County grows by 2,000

Quality of life is why local officials say more than 2,000 newcomers flocked to Lee County in the past year.

March 21, 2007

Quality of life is why local officials say more than 2,000 newcomers flocked to Lee County in the past year.

Annual estimates of the population for counties in Alabama were released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.  According to the numbers, from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2006, the population in Alabama is up, 4,599,030 from 4,548,327; in Lee County 125,781 up from 123,122; in Chambers County 35,176 down from 35,373; and in Russell County, 50,085 up from 49,371.

Quality of life, schools, occupational opportunities and industrial growth are just a few of the contributing factors city and county administrators said draws people to Lee County,

There are approximately 24,000 residents in Opelika, with about 1,500 to 2,000 more moving to the community within the last few years, according to Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.

“We’re very encouraged about what’s going on in our community and what’s going on in this area,” Fuller said. “What really fuels this is the new jobs, that’s what really gets it all started.”

Fuller said there are hundreds of jobs still on line to come to Opelika.

“New jobs fuel retail and retailers want to be where people are and we see that trend continuing for the next several years,” he said.

Opelika’s sister city has experienced approximately a three percent growth within the last year.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are about 49,000 residents in Auburn.

“It’s the excellent quality of life, the occupational opportunities, the educational opportunities for children and adults, feeling the safety people have due to our public safety department doing such a good job and the opportunity to get well-paying jobs,” said Charlie Duggan, Auburn city manager. “What’s there not to love about Auburn?”

Duggan said all those factors add to people wanting to live in Auburn, not to mention AU students who decide that Auburn is a great place to live and want to remain there.

Officials in Smiths Station, a community of about 4,700 citizens, said similar aspects contribute to their steady increase in population growth as well.

“We are getting so many people moving to this area for the schools and quality of life over here,” said Jerry Bentley, Smiths Station city clerk. “And we may see an increased population from people coming into Fort Benning (Ga.).”

The community is open to annexation and Bentley said they are annexing property on a regular basis at individual property owners’ requests.

“We are very pleased with the growth we’ve had in Smiths Station,” Bentley added.  “It’s wonderful!”

The largest numerical increase of the nation’s 3,141 counties, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau was in Maricopa County, Ariz., which gained 696,000 residents between 2000 and 2006.

This increase surpasses the total population of all but 15 U.S. cities.  Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, has 3.8 million residents, making it the nation’s fourth largest county.

Overall, 14 of the 20 fastest-growing counties between 2005 and 2006 were in the South, five in the West and one in the Midwest.  Eight of the 10 counties with the fastest rate of population decline between 2005 and 2006 were in Louisiana or Mississippi.

Labor force grows in Lee County

Employment rates in the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area continue to rise.

January 4, 2007

Employment rates in the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Statistical Area continue to rise.

Statistics show a total of 1,374 more people are working in Opelika and Auburn than the same time last year.

In the Auburn-Opelika area, 64,88 people are employed now, up from 63,514 last year in Lee County.

The unemployment rate is 2.7 percent, up only .1 percent (69 residents) from November 2005 ratings.

“We’ve done a good job of bringing in industry, and the commercial side has also increased,” said Cary Cox, director of workforce development in Auburn. “Lee County is always in the top five from around the state. It shifts from second to fourth.” Cox said Auburn constantly has several companies looking at the city for location and that the city is always looking for companies that are high-tech and would be a good fit for Auburn.

“There will be some great opportunities,” Cox said. “We’re talking to some companies now that will have some very high-tech skills. The future is nothing but bright in Auburn, no doubt.”

Cox said a working person means revenue to the area.

“The more (Auburn residents) make, the more cheeseburgers and clothes they’ll buy,” Cox said. “We’re looking more at kind of a controlled growth, but we’re happy with where we’re at.”

Expo Center could spark growth

On the heels of Silver Companies’ Nov. 20 announcement it would build a vacation destination in Opelika called Celebrate Alabama, the city council tonight will discuss a development and lease agreement for Opelika’s Expo Center.

December 4, 2007

On the heels of Silver Companies’ Nov. 20 announcement it would build a vacation destination in Opelika called Celebrate Alabama, the city council tonight will discuss a development and lease agreement for Opelika’s Expo Center.

The center would be built along Interstate 85 as part of the Celebrate project that will stretch from Exits 64 to 66.

Celebrate Alabama, dubbed a major retail, entertainment and attractions destination, is expected to span more than 535 acres and when completed will create approximately 5,000 jobs with a capital investment approaching $1 billion, according to Silver Companies and city officials.

Silver Companies CEO Larry D. Silver says once the expo center is complete, it will serve as a catalyst for more industry to locate in the area.

“Regional and statewide conventions will be held in Opelika,” Silver said.

He said the expo center will draw musicians, artisans, sporting events, festivals, trade shows and consumer shows geared toward fishermen, hunters and cooking enthusiasts, just to name a few.

Silver Companies is expected to break ground in Opelika during the first quarter of 2008 with grading of pasture land taking about 18 months. The project is expected to take about eight to 10 years to complete with the first phase tentatively done in 24 months. The council will entertain first-reading of an ordinance that outlines a development and lease agreement for Opelika’s Expo Center.

In other council news, the council at its 6:30 p.m. work session will discuss rezoning of 138 acres along Interstate Road extension and Frederick Road, as well as capital outlay amendment for fiscal year 2007.

During the council’s regular 7 p.m. meeting, the following will be discussed:

• Check presentation by Bailey-Harris for Miracle Field.
• Bids for two 2007 unmarked police package vehicles, plus one marked police package vehicle, two 2008 pickup trucks for parks and recreation and planning, rental of two copy machines for light and power, two for parks and recreation and one for administration.
• Resolution to authorize demolitions at 615 Auburn Place, 505 McClure Ave. and 3409 Chilton Ave.
• Ordinance to amend zoning of Pepperell Manufacturing Co. up for second-reading.
• Ordinance to amend Chapter 14 of city code for business license schedule up for second-reading.

- Ordinances to amend zoning of 19 parcels to become a retail-entertainment district and zoning of Lawler Business Park, both up for first-reading.
Posted by Erin Bock on 12/17 at 04:29 PM
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Celebrate Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions

November 21, 2007

Celebrate Alabama - Frequently Asked Questions

Source: Silver Companies

What features make Celebrate Alabama unique?

Celebrate Alabama can best be described as a retail resort and entertainment destination, encompassing shopping and a range of restaurant types and amenities, including live entertainment. The development would span more than 535 acres and include numerous hotels, including an indoor water park hotel, and a large Expo Center for hosting trade and consumer shows and other large-scale business or cultural events. Unlike typical shopping plazas, Celebrate Alabama would incorporate many acres of green space, ample walking/hiking trails and other pedestrian areas, a variety of attractions and unique commemorations of Alabama’s heritage. Finally, Celebrate Alabama is custom-designed to reflect and celebrate the best that Alabama and Opelika have to offer.

What are some of the benefits Celebrate Alabama would bring to the community?

Celebrate Alabama would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for the City of Opelika. It would directly create thousands of new jobs. It would also serve as enticement for corporations looking to relocate in Central Alabama, since Opelika would be able to offer state-of-the-art training and meeting facilities. The residents of Opelika would have access to shopping, dining and entertainment on par with larger cities. Perhaps most importantly, Celebrate Alabama would offer residents an additional source of pride in their state and in their history.

How would Celebrate Alabama help businesses in Opelika?

Celebrate Alabama has been carefully designed to complement existing local businesses and to help drive visitors to the downtown area by creating more reasons for people to come and stay longer. We expect the majority of guests would be first-time visitors to Opelika who otherwise might not be aware of the city’s beautiful downtown or vibrant local businesses. As a new gateway to the City, Celebrate Alabama would further offer new opportunities to promote Opelika’s landmarks and historic areas. Business owners who are interested in being part of Celebrate Alabama should contact Denny Weiss, executive vice president, Silver Capital Commercial Investments at (561) 981-5252 or .

What stores, restaurants or hotels would be part of Celebrate Alabama?

We have already started negotiating with major national and regional retailers and hotels. While it is too early to name specific businesses, we do expect an array of large stores and hotels, well-known restaurants, and multiple entertainment venues.

Exactly where would the retail resort and entertainment destination be located?
Celebrate Alabama would lie directly parallel to I-85 and would span between exits 64 (Highway 29) and 66 (Andrews Road). The development would be located entirely within the city limits of Opelika.

When would you break ground?

The project would get underway the first quarter of 2008.

Is there a Celebrate Alabama Web site?

The Web site for this project is still under development. We hope to have it ready soon.

Who is Silver Companies?

Silver Companies is a Metro Washington, D.C.- and Boca Raton, Fla.-based master developer of large commercial and residential land tracts and a diversified real estate investment firm. Since 1941 Silver Companies has built a private enterprise with commercial development approaching 11 million-square-feet, residential site development totaling more than 60,000 units, apartment community fund assets under management in excess of $200 million, and a hotel division that boasts Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and Hyatt Place franchises. In addition, the company’s private equity division has provided more than $1 billion in capital to builders and developers during the last six years. Silver Companies is led by CEO Larry D. Silver and is backed by teams of division presidents, engineers, contractors, project managers, lending, leasing and acquisitions professionals and nationally-recognized strategic partners.

For more information, visit http://www.silvercompanies.com.

Opelika learns new ways to recruit industries

The Opelika City Council is educating themselves about new ways to entice industries to the area.

November 7, 2007

The Opelika City Council is educating themselves about new ways to entice industries to the area.

In a presentation to the Opelika City Council, Attorney Frank D. McPhillips of Maynard, Cooper and Gale PC talked about alternative economic development tools in luring new industry such as tax increment districts, improvement districts, cooperative districts and shared revenue arrangements.

When sharing revenue, McPhillips said there must be a cap.
“That’s what’s been done with the new phase IV addition to TigerTown,” McPhillips said. “There’s a $6 million cap payable over ever how many years it takes.”

Tuesday the council entertained first-reading of an ordinance authorizing a “project development agreement” between the City of Opelika and TigerTown LTD. The ordinance will be up for a second-reading at the council’s next meeting Nov. 20. The council could then vote the measure up or down.

If approved, a “validation order” would then be sent to the Circuit Court of Lee County, validating and confirming a “Limited Obligation Project Revenue Warrant,” which states that the City of Opelika would be indebted to TigerTown LTD for an amount not to exceed $6 million.

“We spent $10 million for TigerTown, which was our original investment,” Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said. “We have reduced that amount over the past three years, but it is still a large sum when you add the interest to the principal. TigerTown tax revenue is not ‘clear profit’ for the city. Certainly it is a plus for us and has helped provide the funds to resurface many streets which is just one example of how the extra money, the amount over debt service, is being invested for the benefit of our citizens and visitors.”

Meanwhile, McPhillips said improvement districts serve as an alternative way of financing public infrastructure. He says Chapter 99A of Title II of Alabama Code 1975 authorizes Alabama cities to form special improvement districts where bonds are payable out of special property assessments levied on the owners of the land within the district based on the estimated increase in value of the land.

McPhillips said improvement districts are often important vehicles to facilitate the development of public infrastructure for new residential and mixed-use developments, like the new residential developments in Valley and Lanett built to accommodate incoming Kia workers.

In Chapter 99B of Title 11 of Alabama Code 1975, McPhillips said it authorizes Alabama cities to form cooperative districts that can issue bonds to finance improvements of “any” nature - not limited to public infrastructure. He said bonds are typically payable out of revenues from fees or charges for the use of financed improvements. This structure produces new sources of revenue without a general tax increase. He added that cooperative district bonds are not considered a city “debt;” examples being Bass Pro Shop in Prattville and the “Celebrate Alabama Project.“

Amendment No. 772 is what McPhillips called, “A new hammer in the economic development tool kit.” The amendment, which was adopted in late 2004, permits cities to incur debt for economic development purposes in a principal amount of 50 percent of assessed value of taxable property, which is a far cry from the 20 percent of the assessed value the city can incur under Section 225 of the Alabama Constitution.

“Opelika’s remaining debt margin under Section 225 is only $33.5 million but the debt limit under Amendment No. 772 is over $130 million,” McPhillips said. However, he says Amendment No. 772 is just “not clear enough” yet.

City Attorney Guy Gunter said McPhillips’ presentation was a way to inform the council of what the city can and can’t do when it comes to attracting new industry.
“You’ve got to be willing to re-invent yourself,” Gunter said.

County, Opelika partner on site

The Lee County Commission agreed Monday to help the city of Opelika compete for a high-tech industry prospect expected to bring 500 new jobs and make a $173.5 million investment at a site adjacent to Interstate 85.

September 25, 2007

The Lee County Commission agreed Monday to help the city of Opelika compete for a high-tech industry prospect expected to bring 500 new jobs and make a $173.5 million investment at a site adjacent to Interstate 85.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller requested help from the commission to clear and grub about 150 acres for Project KT, the code name for a high-tech manufacturing facility looking at Opelika.

“We are recruiting a high-tech manufacturing facility that will bring over 500 jobs to Lee County,” Fuller said. “They are going to invest $90 million in manufacturing equipment, $23.5 million in non-manufacturing equipment, $60 million in their building, for a total capital investment of $173.5 million.”

Fuller said he and the city’s economic development officials visited the industry’s head office in Seoul, Korea, a few weeks ago. Opelika is competing with another site in Alabama and sites in Georgia.

“This capital investment is going to be, by far, the largest in the history of Lee County,” he said. “We realize this is a significant request and a significant commitment on behalf of the Lee County Commission.”

The county highway department helped Opelika secure another prospect in the past by clearing and grubbing the 30-acre Daewon America site.

“By the county agreeing to assist the city with this, we were able to secure that economic development project. (Daewon) turned out to be a $33 million capital investment, and they are going to employ 170 folks in high paying jobs,” he said.

Because of a time element involved in getting the clearing and grubbing done, Fuller agreed to have a bulldozer and operator work side-by-side with the county’s road crew.

Lee County Highway Engineer Neal Hall told commissioners that he thought he could finish roads on the present paving list and do the clearing and grubbing on the 150-acre site.

“We may be finished with this (road paving) list by the next commission meeting,” Hall said.

Mando to expand

Having exceeded its own expectations, Mando America Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will be making a bigger impact on the Opelika economy.

September 19, 2007

Having exceeded its own expectations, Mando America Corporation officials announced Tuesday that the company will be making a bigger impact on the Opelika economy.

Officials said the facility at the Northeast Industrial Park would expand its production lines marking an additional investment of $21 million and the creation of 77 additional new jobs.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said Mando’s hiring phase would ratchet up over the next few months giving those seeking better pay and specialized skills an opportunity to work for an auto giant.

In 2003, when the company announced its decision to build a 150,000-square-foot facility in Opelika, the initial investment was $30 million and jobs totaled 150. The facility was complete in 2004 and shortly after, company officials announced further expansion of an additional 175,000 square-feet as well as an additional $35 million investment. With Tuesday’s
announcement, Mando’s total investment is $86 million and total employment over the next three years will exceed 500.
Mando’s Opelika operations produce brake corner modules, suspension modules and steering systems to support its customer base, which includes Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama.

Fuller credited Mando CEO Sang-Soo Oh, Mando President Tae Kwak, Strategic Planning Manager James Won, Human Resources Director Jerry Rolison, the Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) Board and Opelika’s Economic Development Department for helping create high paying jobs for area residents.

Rolison said he was optimistic that Mando would play a significant role in the automotive needs of Hyundai, Kia and General Motors. OIDA Chairman Ronnie Wilson, OIDA Vice-Chair David Scott and OIDA member Ronnie Ware agreed.

In a statement, Gov. Bob Riley said, “Mando is an excellent corporate citizen and Alabama is proud to have a company of its caliber in our state … we appreciate the jobs and investment that Mando is making in Alabama.”

Mando Corporation (http://www.mando.com), headquartered in Korea, is one of the leading automotive parts manufacturers in the world specializing in internationally competitive chassis components and systems.

“The greatest testament to an area’s business climate is the expansions that are made by existing industry,” Economic Development Director Al Cook said. “This additional capital investment by Mando further solidifies their presence in our community, and we are very appreciative of the confidence they have shown and continue to show in our area.”

A Dream Realized

A Saylor Logging LLC truck out of Valley with freshly cut timbers aboard rolling along Greater Peace Drive on Monday was just another sign that affordable housing was coming to the Jeter community of Opelika, courtesy of the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation or CDC.

September 18, 2007

The sign read, “Jordan’s Gate - Coming in 2008.”

A Saylor Logging LLC truck out of Valley with freshly cut timbers aboard rolling along Greater Peace Drive on Monday was just another sign that affordable housing was coming to the Jeter community of Opelika, courtesy of the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation or CDC.

Behind the Greater Peace Development Center off Fox Run Parkway, the Rev. Clifford Jones of Greater Peace Baptist Church and other officials including Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Project Developer Fred Bennett, CDC President Arturo Menefee and CDC board member Bill Sauser were decked out with shovels and hard hats. Together they marked a “groundbreaking” moment more than two years in the making.

Once built, Jones said there would be some 48 single-family homes in Jordan’s Gate complete with carports. The homes would range from 1,300- to 1,500-square-feet and would serve as a 15-year rental with the option to buy.

Jones said applications for houses in Jordan’s Gate would be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested parties should stop by Greater Peace Baptist Church, 650 Jeter Ave., and fill out an application complete with a letter of intent.

“This is a faith-based way to cross over from rental to homeownership,” Jones said. “Jordan’s Gate, the name, was chosen to symbolize the people of Israel crossing Jordan over into freedom.”

Herbert Slaughter, chairman of the Greater Peace Baptist Church Deacon Board and 61-year church member, said that Jordan’s Gate will serve the community well.

“I think this housing will spark a lot of interest,” Slaughter said. “We hope this can be a stepping stone where people can move from there to something better. It’s a beautiful thing.”

As Menefee looked out at the gathered crowd, he said they were witness to a realized dream.

“We could not have done it by ourselves,” he said.

The project, which was largely funded by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, has since gathered a faithful following.

“This has spawned NeighborWorks relationships. Every banker in town is talking to us about revitalization,” said Fred Bennett, president and CEO of Bennett & Company LLC.

Fuller agreed with the impact this development could have on the community.

“You know, we’re all in this together ... “ Fuller said. “Affordable, acceptable housing is not only important today but will be even more important five years from now for our workforce.”

Group planning for road needs

In a series of meetings, committees of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (AOMPO) reviewed, and approved, key changes in surface transportation planning that reflect project changes brought on by increases in construction costs.

September 13, 2007

Meetings this week looked at the financial constraints on locally sponsored transportation projects like Frederick Road and the downtown streetscape in Opelika, as well as the widening of Moores Mill bridge over I-85, the realignment of Highway 14 and Bragg Avenue and numerous bike lanes in Auburn.

In a series of meetings, committees of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (AOMPO) reviewed, and approved, key changes in surface transportation planning that reflect project changes brought on by increases in construction costs.

The Citizens Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee met Tuesday and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Board met Wednesday at the Lee-Russell Council of Governments office in Opelika to consider the Fiscal Year 2008 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the 2008-2011 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and seven Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation Enhancement Grants.

The MPO helps communities with local projects.

“Federal funding regulations require that communities having a population over 50,000 be designated as a metropolitan planning area. When that happens, you have to establish a metropolitan planning organization,” said Keith Bryan, transportation planner and GIS coordinator with the Lee-Russell Council of Governments. “Their job is to review local projects within that area.”

Bryan said the UPWP is an annual document which is a listing of the current year’s project. The TIP is a multi-year document that is a planning document for projects. The long-range transportation plan is a 25-year plan.

A goal of all three is to have a viable transportation system, and a way to plan and make sure transportation needs are addressed.

The cities of Auburn and Opelika and Lee County were assisted by LRCOG in developing the UPWP, TIP and enhancement grant documents for approval by all three AOMPO committees. There are 15 individuals on the CAC, 25 on the TAC and 10 on the MPO committees.

Among the resolutions approved for applications for Transportation Enhancement Grant funds were one for the city of Opelika and six for the city of Auburn.

The Opelika resolution includes additional sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, brickpavers, etc. in Phase III of the Downtown Streetscape’s Phases I and II.

The six Auburn resolutions includes three bike lanes, interstate exit landscaping and a multi-use path as follows:

• The Shelton Mill Bike Lane involves constructing bike lanes on both sides of Shelton Mill Road from North College Street to East University Drive;
• The North Donahue Drive Bike Lane involves constructing a six-foot bike lane along each side of North Donahue Drive between Shug Jordan Parkway and Farmville Road. Part of this project is in Lee County;
• The Wire Road Bike Lanes involves construction of six-foot wide bike lanes along each side of Wire Road between Webster Road and Samford Avenue to connect student residential areas with the Auburn University campus;
• The East Glenn Avenue Multi-use Path involves construction of a concrete multi-use path along East Glenn Avenue between Bent Creek Road and East University Drive. One intent of this path is to provide connectivity to the city of Opelika; and
• Two resolutions involve the addition of multiple species of trees, shrubs and other plantings to improve the aesthetics of Interstate-85 interchanges at a new seven-lane bridge at Exit 51 and a new six-lane bridge at Exit 57.

Keeping the funding balanced causes some projects to be moved out to be considered in future years. Changes are worked out among the cities and their engineers before being presented to the committees.

Examples of increases in project construction costs include:

• A 463 percent increase in the utility portion of the Moore’s Mill Bridge overpass project going from $62,400 to $364,000 in 2008 and a 333 percent increase in the construction portion going from $1,092,000 to $4,724,429 which caused the project to be moved from 2008 out to 2010.

Auburn and Opelika compete for new retailer

The cities of Auburn and Opelika, along with other communities across the state, are competing to land a retailer that could create more than 120 jobs and generate nearly $600,000 in capital investment.

July 27, 2007

The cities of Auburn and Opelika, along with other communities across the state, are competing to land a retailer that could create more than 120 jobs and generate nearly $600,000 in capital investment.

This is just one retail project of many that the sister cities along the Interstate 85 corridor are going head-to-head for.

“We’re competing against a variety of people,” said Phillip Dunlap, Auburn’s director of economic development. “(Opelika) is working as hard as they can to recruit developments, too. We’re competing with everybody up and down this corridor. It’s not just an Opelika thing.”

With this particular retailer, Dunlap and Commercial Development Authority Chairman Dr. Warren McCord told Auburn City Council members Tuesday night that the city will need to spend approximately $1.8 million for site work in order to “win” the national company, which officials are not identifying. The request was approved.

“If we want this project, we participate,” Dunlap told council members. “We are competing to recruit with our sister city on this retailer.”

To come to Auburn, the new tenant is asking the city to prepare the 10-acre site for an 86,000-square-foot development.

According to Dunlap, developers market the entire demographics.

“Externally, we’re considered one market, as far as Auburn and Opelika goes,” said Al Cook, Opelika director of economic development. “But we are very competitive, both cities, in the attraction of retail.”

“Anybody coming into this market place is looking at multiple plots,” Dunlap said. “We’re in an environment right now where it’s intensely competitive to locate those projects.

“It’s not a negative environment, but people come in and they’re looking for sites and we have to respond to those things,” he said. “We have been targeting big-box developments or tax generators within the city of Auburn, things that generate sales taxes, which is the same thing our sister city is doing.”

Cook said that generally a big-box retailer, like the one that could create more than 120 jobs, will not go into both cities, with the exception of Wal-Mart.

“A population of the area does not want, at this point, more than one Target, more than one Lowe’s, more than one Home Depot, so it does become very competitive, in the attraction of big-box retail,” he said.

“These large groups now, every single one of them, is looking for some type of incentive. That’s not just a phenomenon to Auburn or Opelika,” Dunlap said. “We’re forced to (offer incentives), because where they locate makes a tremendous difference in tax sales.”

“We look at the payback, in terms of incentives,” Cook said. “We generally work with the developer to offer the incentives in terms of public infrastructure. For instance, at TigerTown, the landscaping, public streets, lighting.

“It’s important to us that we have that tax revenue to go to our schools, repave our streets and improve the quality of life of our citizens,” Cook said.

The sister cities are not always aware of what the other is doing to recruit an industry or retail developer.

“I can’t say what was or was not being offered, I just know that there was contact between this group and a group in Opelika,” Dunlap said. “We’ve got to keep a defense up so we can get the sales tax for Auburn.

“There’s not animosity between the two cities; but in retail, we’re both doing what we think is necessary,” Dunlap said. “It’s a market where people are out there asking for these things.”

Shopping, dining and more

Once Phase IV of TigerTown is complete, the open-air shopping center will stretch a million square feet and is expected to generate approximately $7.7 million in revenue for Opelika, according to city officials.

July 12, 2007

Once Phase IV of TigerTown is complete, the open-air shopping center will stretch a million square feet and is expected to generate approximately $7.7 million in revenue for Opelika, according to city officials.

Members of the Opelika City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and TigerTown Ltd. on Tuesday during its regular meeting. In 2002, the developer committed to develop 500,000 square feet of center space; by year’s end, TigerTown will consist of approximately 700,000-square-feet of developed space.

Now in Phase IV, “The developer commits to develop, or cause to be developed, at least 100,000-square-feet of additional retail space, plus at least one hotel, and restaurants and other outparcel space containing at least 10,000-square-feet by November 17, 2008,” the memorandum says.

Phil Martin, spokesperson for TigerTown developer Newton Oldacre McDonald, said that Phase IV of TigerTown would consist of Dick’s Sporting Goods; a signature department store; a retailer of bedrooms, linens and baths; and 15 to 17 outparcels including two major hotels, Fairfield Inn by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott. A number of restaurants, small retail, financial services and other establishments would round out TigerTown, and Phase IV will create 600 new jobs, Martin said.

Economic Development Director Al Cook said that before TigerTown was built in Opelika, sales tax revenue to the city wasn’t anywhere close to what it is now - or what it will be.

“Certainly TigerTown has been, and will continue to be, a catalyst for increasing economic activity around Exit 58,” Cook said. “Upon completion, the sales tax revenue to the city will be $7.7 million annually; not long ago, the total tax revenue to the city was around $7 million, and that was like 2001 to 2002. With 2008 to 2009, less than 10 years later, TigerTown will have effectively doubled the tax revenue for the City of Opelika.”

The city will share up to $6 million in sales tax revenue with TigerTown Ltd, according to the memorandum.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is expected to break ground in TigerTown sometime before Christmas. The 45,000-square-foot store at the intersection of Interstate 85 and U.S. 280 will house all manner of sporting goods across 11 specialized sporting departments. Shane’s Rib Shack will be built near TigerTown’s freestanding Starbucks, and a Zaxby’s restaurant will become next-door neighbors with Logan’s Roadhouse.

And, today at 9 a.m., officials from the Opelika Chamber of Commerce will cut a ceremonial ribbon in front of Kroger in TigerTown to mark the opening of the 83,000-square-foot grocery store. Kroger Fuel Center opened there July 5.

“TigerTown has certainly been a great example of cooperation between a community that needed this type of retail magnet and a developer who wanted to build a first-class retail center,” Martin said.

Local businessman offering residential lofts in Opelika’s historic downtown buildings

One local business man is working to make downtown Opelika not just a place to shop and dine, but a place to live, as well.

June 30, 2007

One local business man is working to make downtown Opelika not just a place to shop and dine, but a place to live, as well.

Lofts are emerging above downtown businesses and breathing new life into long-vacant buildings. The building that once housed Jan’s Creations in downtown Opelika has since morphed into a PEPS business with a loft apartment above it, according to preservationist John Marsh, who owns about 10 buildings in downtown Opelika. Two lofts above Jackie’s Cards and Gifts at 127 S. Eighth St. are under construction and are already sold. Three lofts will be housed above the former Goodson’s Jewelry store, now called Fringe, and six lofts are slated for Railroad Avenue.

“A model loft ... will be complete in three to four months,” Marsh said of the Lofts on Railroad Avenue, which will house its own fitness center. “Folks will be able to take a look at it and see what they like and want in their own loft.”

In other downtown news, L&M Design, an interior design company, has taken up residence at the historic Traywick Building at 829 Railroad Ave. Meanwhile, a fine dining restaurant is expected to open at 833 Railroad Avenue.

“We’re in the last stages of negotiations,” Marsh said.

Another restaurant is on the downtown horizon at 811 Railroad Ave. and will replace Opelika Coffee Company.

“It’s a done deal,” said Marsh of the restaurant, which will specialize in Southern home cooking.

With all the downtown merchants, dining, arts and now lofts, Marsh says the downtown Opelika area has become a model area of growth and prosperity.

“I never expected it to take off like this,” Marsh said. “There is a tremendous amount of renovation going on in downtown Opelika, and it’s wonderful to see.”

For loft information in downtown Opelika, call Marsh at (334)749-5616.

Capps Farm to be anchored by Kohl’s

The developer of the Shoppes at Capps Farm has secured a heavyweight to anchor its lifestyle and retail shopping center to be housed along 62.85 acres between Gateway Drive and Interstate 85 in Opelika.

June 22, 2007

The developer of the Shoppes at Capps Farm has secured a heavyweight to anchor its lifestyle and retail shopping center to be housed along 62.85 acres between Gateway Drive and Interstate 85 in Opelika.

A 68,000-square-foot Kohl’s department store is slated to open its doors in October of 2008, according to officials with Capps Farm developer DeBartolo Development, LLC.

In addition to a multi-screen movie theater on its property, DeBartolo is expected to enter into lease or property sales agreements with national and regional stores and restaurants like PetSmart, Circuit City, Staples, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hastings, Barnes & Noble or Borders Books, LifeWay Christian Books, Michael’s, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Cheddar’s, as stated in a “Memorandum of Understanding” between the City of Opelika and DeBartolo.

The Opelika City Council approved the memorandum during its council meeting Tuesday. Property transactions are expected to be finalized in October, and site work is expected to begin thereafter. When Phase I and II of the project is complete, the center is expected to stretch approximately 821,971 square feet with capital investment at approximately $125 million. Tax revenue for the city is expected to generate $7.4 million.

A portion of the Memorandum of Understanding states that the city agrees to form a cooperative improvement development district, with which it will share sales tax revenues.

“There is virtually no risk to the city,” Economic Development Director Al Cook said. “The city agrees to share half the sales tax up to 25 years or when $15 million in revenue bonds is reached, whichever comes first.”

The memorandum stipulates that “The city will cooperate with the district to facilitate the issuance by the district of revenue bonds in such principal amount as shall be necessary to net $15 million for use in acquiring, constructing and installing project improvements. The bonds will be paid over a period not to exceed 25 years and will be secured solely by the payments to be made by the city to the district … As an incentive to induce DeBartolo to acquire and develop the project and pursuant to such incentives agreement, the city will agree to pay the district an amount equal to 1.5 percent of the gross sales generated by the project for use in paying the principal of and interest on the (revenue) bonds … when the bonds are fully paid or defeased, the city’s obligation to share sales tax revenues with the district shall terminate.”

The memorandum further states that bond proceeds will initially be placed in escrow with a trustee bank and will be released from escrow for use in paying costs of project improvements on the date that Kohl’s first opens its store to the public for business.

“This is a very good deal for all concerned,” Councilman Dr. William Lazenby said of the Shoppes at Capps Farm.