Fall 2021
The Auburn Plainsman: Welcome Back
17
COMMUNITY
What happened in town while you were gone By CHARLIE RAMO Content Editor
Despite the majority of students leaving town for the summer, the City of Auburn continued to exist and change over the past few months. Here are the top things that happened when you weren’t looking.
TIM NAIL | COMMUNITY EDITOR
Whataburger is open 24/7.
WHATABURGER OPENS NEAR TIGER TOWN BROOKE FUCITO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Auburn’s first-ever Whataburger opened across the street from Tiger Town this summer. A second Whataburger is planned for the former Pieology building at Toomer’s Corner, but it has yet to go through the City Council for approval.
BROOKE FUCITO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Steven Dixon has served as a Council member since 2018.
The parking deck has a walkway to North College Street.
CITY EXPANDS DOWNTOWN PARKING WITH DECK The City added 350 available downtown parking spots by opening the new Wright Street Parking Deck at the end of last month. The deck costs $1 per hour with a maximum of $15 per 24-hour period. It is paid 24/7, unlike other City parking.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SUES CITY OVER AIRBNB RESTRICTIONS In March, the City Council passed a law placing restrictions on short-term house rentals such as Airbnb. It was then further revised in May to require a business license to operate. In June, Ward 5 Council member Steven Dixon sued a dozen City staff — including his fellow Council members — over the restrictions placed on his property. Dixon has rented out the basement of his home since 2018, but after the restrictions were placed, he could not obtain a business license due to the location of his home. The lawsuit questions the legality of the restrictions and seeks to overturn them. The lawsuit is ongoing.
CULVER’S CONSTRUCTION STARTS NEAR AUBURN MALL TIM NAIL | COMMUNITY EDITOR
The Chick-fil-A replaces the previous standalone location.
CHICK-FIL-A AND ROSS HOUSE COFFEE OPEN IN 320 WEST MAG Nearly two years after it closed, the Chick-fil-A on West Magnolia Avenue has reopened, now located on the first floor of the 320 West Mag apartment building. It has all the capabilities of a standalone location, including a dining room and a drive-thru. Ross House’s new location gives students another option to feed their caffeine addiction within walking distance of campus. It is the second location for the local coffee roastery based out of the house next door to 160 Ross.
Not wanting to be outdone by Whataburger, Culver’s announced its first location in Auburn over the summer. It is currently under construction and does not have a set opening date as of yet.