What’s happened around town

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.

BROOKE FUCITO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Steven Dixon has served as a Council member since 2018.

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.

TIM NAIL | COMMUNITY EDITOR

Whataburger is open 24/7.

WHATABURGER OPENS NEAR TIGER TOWN

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.

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.

BROOKE FUCITO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER 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.

CULVER’S CONSTRUCTION STARTS NEAR AUBURN MALL

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.