Innovative Mixed-Use Development Coming to Auburn

April 20, 2018

Now there’s one more reason to buy new homes in Auburn AL: the city will be getting a modern mixed-use development complete with multifamily homes, office and shopping spaces, play areas and even a mobile food court.

The development, known as the Twin City project, will take place on Opelika Road at the site of the current Plaza Motel, which will be razed to make room for the new buildings. Phase 1 of the plan has already been approved by the Auburn City Council, while Phase 2 has received conditional use approval.

Phase 1 of the proposed development includes a mix of residential and commercial structures including a destination restaurant with outdoor games like cornhole and shuffleboard. Phase 2 will consist of housing, retail space, restaurants, office spaces and a mobile vendor food court on 10.7 acres. The food court area will have picnic and play spaces, public restrooms and parking for three food trucks. A “downtown-style” street is lined with mixed-use buildings that follow the traditional model of commercial space on the first floor and housing units above. A total of 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments will be created in those spaces.

In addition, Phase 2 would include 20 residential buildings divided into a total of 36 family-size units, half of them three-bedroom and half four-bedroom.

Although the “main street” concept in new developments is familiar in larger cities, this would be the first of its kind for Auburn. It’s expected to be especially attractive to students and young families.

The Twin City project should help spur interest in the Opelika Road commercial corridor by bringing more residents to the area. It’s part of the city’s larger Renew Opelika Road plan, implemented in 2013. The overall plan is intended to improve the usefulness and appearance of the Opelika Road corridor between Gay Street and the city limits. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2018.

The ongoing improvement of the Opelika Road corridor will make the entire Auburn area even more attractive to new residents. Contact Rose Anne Erickson Realty today at 706-257-1776 to take your pick of new homes in Auburn AL.

Categorised in: Auburn AL Tips, Community Info, Local Info, Market Tips, New Home Tips

This post was written by Rose Anne Erickson