The deal is done. The 165.5 acres known as West Pace, which developers have promised elaborate commercial opportunities, near Interstate 85 and South College Street is now in the Auburn city limits.
The location can be a goldmine. It is arguably the most prime commercial real estate in the county.
It’s where most travelers enter Auburn.
Now, their tax dollars can become city tax revenue — 13 cents to the dollar earmarked for schools.
“Because of the way this deal is structured, could mean millions of dollars annually just for the schools,” said Auburn Mayor Bill Ham.
With mill tax increases voted down in recent years, Auburn schools could use the money.
“There is a number of national retailers that are out there,” said Tom Hayley, principal with West Pace LLC. “We are looking forward to courting, recruiting and trying to get them to the best town in Alabama and the best town in the South, in my opinion.”
Yes, South College Street and Interstate 85 is a gateway into the city for many.
Many are drawn to the area by Auburn University and will be hard-pressed not to drop a few coins every now and then at the developing retail outlets.
What happens here is immensely important.
By annexing this property from the county, the city will have a greater opportunity to control what happens and have a greater input to help develop this property into what it could be.
After it became apparent the land was going to be developed, city leaders did the right thing in annexing the property, thus assuring the benefits of the sales tax generated there and the opportunity to join in the effort to make the project one in which the city can take great pride.
Much has been promised about this property. Some said it would rival Montgomery’s The Shoppes at East Chase, and the Summit in Birmingham, which have developed into major outdoor malls with a number of large and small retailers and restaurants.
So far, West Pace has an auto mall. But we know it has the potential to be a gem for the whole community. Whereas it could take some shoppers from TigerTown in Opelika, it could also lure many more shoppers from out of town into the area, which is good for the community as a whole.
It’s time to see if the promise of West Pace comes to fruition. The community as a whole should watch what happens carefully and help to encourage quality growth, and cheer as the successes come to life right before our eyes.
Then we can enjoy the fruits of what has been billed as one of the premier shopping areas in the state.
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