AUBURN, Ala.- The Auburn City Council took the following actions at its May 3, 2022, meeting:

Approved a contract for construction of the new connector road, Will Buechner Parkway, between Martin Luther King Drive and Richland Road. The $6.69 million contract with D & J Enterprises, Inc. will cover construction of the new 1.5-mile stretch of roadway that will connect two major arterial roads. The new road will start near the current end of Webster Road and extend north to Richland Road. The project will also include construction of a multi-use path connecting the paths on MLK Drive and Richland Road. Work is expected to begin in about a month.

Approved the extension and connection of school zones on North College Street. The council approved an ordinance that extended and combines the current school zones located on North College to include the zones for Pick Elementary School, Cary Woods Elementary School and St. Michael Catholic School. The new school zone now runs from Drake Avenue to Shug Jordan Parkway and will be in effect from 6:45-8 a.m. and 2:05-3:15 p.m.

Approved a development agreement with 129 North College Fund, LLC. The City Council approved an agreement with the developer of a new mixed-use development located at 129 N. College St., the former location of Quixotes and the University Inn. The project will include a Target and 32 housing units. The Downtown Design Review Committee reviewed architectural renderings of the development and approved them on Dec. 14, 2021. The project will include a public pedestrian path providing a direct connection between Wright Street and North College Street as well as additional on-street public parking spaces.

The council also:

• Heard a presentation from ETC Institute about the 2022 Citizen Survey. Survey results and a video of the presentation will be posted this week at auburnalabama.org/survey.
• Approved an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for warning devices and sidewalk improvements at the railroad crossing on North College Street.
• Approved an agreement with ALDOT for the installation of landscaping at Interstate 85 Exit 57.
• Approved the purchase of fireworks for this year's Independence Day Celebration.

Meeting minutes and a video of the meeting will be posted at auburnalabama.org/agenda. Mayor Ron Anders’ recap of the meeting will be posted @CityofAuburnAL on social media. The next regular council meeting will be held on May 17, 2022, in the Council Chamber, located at 141 N. Ross St. in the Public Safety Building at the corner of Ross Street and Magnolia Avenue.