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The City of Auburn, what will it look like in 10 years?
Posted on 5/17/16 at 11:50 am
Posted on 5/17/16 at 11:50 am
If I owned the barbecue house, or the old Mrs. Hardy's daycare, or that chevron station, or any of the old houses that have been bulldozed to make room for 75-foot tall apartment complexes, I'm positive I would have sold out in a heartbeat for all the money they probably got offered. But, with this progress comes headache and the loss of what use to be much more simple and quaint.
Are you happy with this evolution? If I was a student, I would probably think it was great. But, being a crotchety old man, I don't love it even though I understand it.
Do you think there are some overall negative results that will come from this that no one is talking about now?
My 2 biggest concerns:
1. So many people in such a relatively small area and the traffic and ensuing difficulty of getting downtown that will probably come along with that.
2. Somebody is going to have to fill up all those old apartment spaces....who will it be? Has Auburn decided to expand it's enrollment by another 5,000 students?
Are you happy with this evolution? If I was a student, I would probably think it was great. But, being a crotchety old man, I don't love it even though I understand it.
Do you think there are some overall negative results that will come from this that no one is talking about now?
My 2 biggest concerns:
1. So many people in such a relatively small area and the traffic and ensuing difficulty of getting downtown that will probably come along with that.
2. Somebody is going to have to fill up all those old apartment spaces....who will it be? Has Auburn decided to expand it's enrollment by another 5,000 students?
6
Posted on 5/17/16 at 12:09 pm to AUjim
As long as Auburn's urbanizing mess doesn't infect Notasulga, I'll be able to begrudgingly stomach it
Posted on 5/17/16 at 12:10 pm to AUjim
quote:Section 8 commuters to Tuskegee
2. Somebody is going to have to fill up all those old apartment spaces....who will it be?
Posted on 5/17/16 at 12:36 pm to AUjim
quote:
1. So many people in such a relatively small area and the traffic and ensuing difficulty of getting downtown that will probably come along with that.
If Auburn had added right hand turn lands to roads downtown, we would have avoided most non gameday traffic issues
Posted on 5/17/16 at 1:53 pm to GenesChin
quote:
If Auburn had added right hand turn lands to roads downtown, we would have avoided most non gameday traffic issues
This is severely understated.
Posted on 5/17/16 at 3:01 pm to AUjim
I'm not a big fan of the direction the town is heading. Auburn is unique in that it's the "loveliest village," and for most of its history, it really has been a little village. A little downtown area with a few bars, a few local restaurants, some old houses and duplexes.
The new apartments are cheaply made and may look nice now but will be dumps in five to seven years.
There has also been an influx of Montgomery and Columbus families who are seeking better schools for their children. I have a primary source that can speak to the effects this is having on some of the elementary schools, and while Auburn is still a rather elitist club when it comes to their public school system, there has been a shift towards accommodating the schools towards a new clientele.
Local spots are being shut down for generic, typical-middle American suburban crap. Bodega is gone but Pieology is there. Price's BBQ is going away and supposedly Dunkin Donuts is coming. Not that Auburn has been known for its cuisine, but instead of investing in Zoe's, Tazikis, BurgerFi, Dunkin Donuts, and the like, the town could have motivated local owners to open cheaper eats. This would have reinforced the village identity but instead, it's becoming an Alabaster with a university next door.
The new apartments are cheaply made and may look nice now but will be dumps in five to seven years.
There has also been an influx of Montgomery and Columbus families who are seeking better schools for their children. I have a primary source that can speak to the effects this is having on some of the elementary schools, and while Auburn is still a rather elitist club when it comes to their public school system, there has been a shift towards accommodating the schools towards a new clientele.
Local spots are being shut down for generic, typical-middle American suburban crap. Bodega is gone but Pieology is there. Price's BBQ is going away and supposedly Dunkin Donuts is coming. Not that Auburn has been known for its cuisine, but instead of investing in Zoe's, Tazikis, BurgerFi, Dunkin Donuts, and the like, the town could have motivated local owners to open cheaper eats. This would have reinforced the village identity but instead, it's becoming an Alabaster with a university next door.
Posted on 5/17/16 at 4:04 pm to StringedInstruments
Agreed to everything you said. There's a reason places like Athens are special as college towns, and it's because they have an identity. Tuscaloosa and Oxford have started to realize this, but residents of Auburn are apparently cool with a the windfall of "frick you" developer money in the short term while gutting its local identity in the long term (which will end up actually costing everyone money locally). Arts and placed based culture generates long term investing and popularity. I'm all for change, and I like that Auburn recently has blown up commercially, but selling wholesale to highest bidder makes really nice Walmarts but not much else. Why go visit and spend money in Auburn or Alabaster or (insert 95% of cities in America) if it's just a bunch of Olive Gardens?
This post was edited on 5/17/16 at 4:06 pm
Posted on 5/17/16 at 6:46 pm to StringedInstruments
quote:
I'm not a big fan of the direction the town is heading. Auburn is unique in that it's the "loveliest village," and for most of its history, it really has been a little village. A little downtown area with a few bars, a few local restaurants, some old houses and duplexes. The new apartments are cheaply made and may look nice now but will be dumps in five to seven years. There has also been an influx of Montgomery and Columbus families who are seeking better schools for their children. I have a primary source that can speak to the effects this is having on some of the elementary schools, and while Auburn is still a rather elitist club when it comes to their public school system, there has been a shift towards accommodating the schools towards a new clientele. Local spots are being shut down for generic, typical-middle American suburban crap. Bodega is gone but Pieology is there. Price's BBQ is going away and supposedly Dunkin Donuts is coming. Not that Auburn has been known for its cuisine, but instead of investing in Zoe's, Tazikis, BurgerFi, Dunkin Donuts, and the like, the town could have motivated local owners to open cheaper eats. This would have reinforced the village identity but instead, it's becoming an Alabaster with a university next door.
This is well started.
I'm a huge supported of change, growth, density, walkable urbanism, etc. but it must only be accepted under careful considerations. Currently, we are seeing the city accept these changes with a reckless outlook on what the future might become.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 6:12 am to AUNashville
This is America and built on capitalism. The places you mentioned losing are not iconic locations or buildings. Are you really worried about a Chevron? Really? The CVS complex is a HUGE improvement over a Dilapidated old hotel.
Downtown buildings need to be protected, Hamiltons, college street, etc. even amersterdams should be saved, the city should designate some buildings as historic.
The past is gone, much of this due to the industry that is now in Auburn. It used to be an Auburn town. Now you see a lot of Bama fans that have moved it, just go to lunch at any local spot.
Downtown buildings need to be protected, Hamiltons, college street, etc. even amersterdams should be saved, the city should designate some buildings as historic.
The past is gone, much of this due to the industry that is now in Auburn. It used to be an Auburn town. Now you see a lot of Bama fans that have moved it, just go to lunch at any local spot.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 6:39 am to allin2010
I think you missed the point. No one cares about the chevron itself. Again, its the complex that will be replacing it. Its good for a few folks' pockets now, but not good for the city as a whole in the long run.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 7:46 am to AUjim
quote:
I think you missed the point. No one cares about the chevron itself. Again, its the complex that will be replacing it. Its good for a few folks' pockets now, but not good for the city as a whole in the long run.
Anything that goes where that chevron is will be better for the city long term.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 7:52 am to JamalSanders
Why are yall sitting on Alabaster? Did you grow up there in the 90s when it sucks and had nothing to do but go eat at Tasty's or that Chinese place by the thrift store?
Posted on 5/18/16 at 8:33 am to CaptainBrannigan
quote:
Why are yall sitting on Alabaster? Did you grow up there in the 90s when it sucks and had nothing to do but go eat at Tasty's or that Chinese place by the thrift store?
I haven't said anything about alabaster.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 8:34 am to JamalSanders
quote:
Anything that goes where that chevron is will be better for the city long term
I would just prefer that "anything" to be something like live oaks rather than a 500 student apartment unit.
I don't think its necessarily harmful for the downtown area, but it absolutely is for the outside of campus areas, especially south college, which in turn, is harmful for the city as a whole.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 8:56 am to AUjim
quote:
I don't think its necessarily harmful for the downtown area, but it absolutely is for the outside of campus areas, especially south college,
We will just have to agree to disagree.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 9:26 am to JamalSanders
Agreed. I don't intend to be so rigid in my thoughts on this. I'd really like to hear opinions from folks that can offer a more optimistic outlook, instead of trying to convince them to be a sourpuss like myself. I just have concerns about the area between I85 and and campus.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 9:44 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
I have a primary source that can speak to the effects this is having on some of the elementary schools, and while Auburn is still a rather elitist club when it comes to their public school system, there has been a shift towards accommodating the schools towards a new clientele.
They are incorrectly identifying the source of the problem as Montgomery/Columbus migration. Other than future overcrowding issues (which new schools are fixing), these people care about education (why they moved) and aren't a problem.
The big issue city council seems to ignore is the developers dramatically increasing supply of apartments/ "beds" for college students. I remember a recent study said there are some 2-3 beds for every college student.
All the apartments far from campus (e.g. garden district/eagles landing/tiger lodge) are either dramatically reducing rent or offering section 8 housing. This lower income housing has attracted some rougher crowds to town unfortunately
Posted on 5/18/16 at 9:48 am to allin2010
quote:
We will just have to agree to disagree.
There is a serious issue with housing in Auburn. The old apartments are not being demolished, which leads the management to turn to lower income/section 8 housing. There is a reason why all these shootings at Auburn all have happened over on South College.
This is why zoning laws are a thing. Previously, this was just a District 1 issue in Auburn, now it is spreading to the South side of town
This post was edited on 5/18/16 at 9:51 am
Posted on 5/18/16 at 10:18 am to GenesChin
quote:
There is a serious issue with housing in Auburn. The old apartments are not being demolished, which leads the management to turn to lower income/section 8 housing. There is a reason why all these shootings at Auburn all have happened over on South College.
This is what I would like to hear the alternative to. We are creating a supply of low income housing that didn't exist 10 years ago.
Posted on 5/18/16 at 10:48 am to AUjim
quote:
This is what I would like to hear the alternative to. We are creating a supply of low income housing that didn't exist 10 years ago.
Honestly, the increased middle to upper class migration from Columbus/Montgomery could save Auburn from this lower income housing issue. They aren't problem people moving in other than the general size of population.
The real estate that has close proximity to I85 has value to those people. Just need to sell those housing areas to builders.
Unfortunately, that would likely end up with a Grayhawk/Knight Homes who would subsequently build cardboard boxes that sell for 250k+ because they put granite countertops in
This post was edited on 5/18/16 at 10:50 am
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