Editorial: What happens at West Pace warrants watching in future
Published: September 21, 2009
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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Reader Reactions
Does anyone at the OA News have a brain? How can you keep echoing the city’s lies and distortions? Tom Hayley is a low grade developer at best. Look at his previous efforts. They are pathetic. I am disgusted to drive down South College. Go look at Hayley’s duplexes around the city. And you think this clown is going to develope the Summit or East Chase on a site that has aleardy been scarred. Exit 51 has poor access. The neighborhood includes a softball complex, motor court, gas station, and moderate priced motel. Does anyone really think an upscale retailer is going to locate in that location? The density is to the north and east. This is why Tigertown and Capps Corner are doing well. Hayles location will feed off Macon County and development southwest of Exit 51. Duh! There is nothing there. Ham has gotten wealthy doing nothing with his pea brain. Dunlap is a bully and an egotist who brings shame on Auburn. Auburn is a joke!
Your editorial is amusing if not naive. It is exceedingly clear that you have not followed Tom Haley’s development efforts in Auburn over the years. Everything this man develops is second-class and built as cheaply as possible. To expect anything else at the West Pace property is quite laughable. Yes, South College St. is a gateway to the city. And have you taken a good look at it lately? It is filled with junk and low-quality crap with no standards whatsoever. It is a complete embarrassment. And yes, most of that development was Tom Haley’s. And that’s precisely what you’re going to get in West Pace. But I don’t only blame Tom Hayley, look no further than our city ‘leaders’. Bill Ham sold out this city years ago to the highest bidder to help line his own pockets. Economic Development Director Phillip Dunlop should have been fired decades ago. Just compare what’s gone on in Auburn with the development in Opelika. Opelika’s leaders have undertaken quality development, in perfect locations, and has presented their city in a most favorable fashion. Auburn has developed junk! The prime locations in Auburn have been used for softball fields and industrial parks. No plan, no direction, no standards. Yes, you should definitely watch West Pace in the future. What you’re going to see will be low-class trash that fits with the rest of South College St. And afterward, you know who you can thank: Haley, Ham, and Dunlop.
Every time I watch, It’s a Wonderful Life, Tom Hayley reminds me of Mr. Potter, in my opinion.
I am not a golf expert, but I have seen every golf course in Lee County and his golf course is well… if I were a golfer, I would golf at Moore’s or AU, or maybe Pines.
Tom Haley can’t even keep up a golf course. One of the best layouts for a golf course in the area and it continues to go downhill under the Tom Haley leadership. He does everything on the cheap as long as he can line his pockets.
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