Slice of Small Town America

By WRBL Staff

Published: May 27, 2009

Opelika, Alabama has charm that is undeniable.  I spent the afternoon talking with the City Administrator about the historic railroad town’s plan for the future.

Something I found interesting, most towns sport their worst neighborhoods next to railroad tracks, but not Opelika. It’s a treasure trove.

It started after the City held a number of development meetings last week to talk about recommendations for growth.  Some things that popped up in those meetings- putting a trolley in between Auburn and Opelika on exisiting tracks, maybe even dinner trains to LaGrange and Newnan, making room for restaurants to have outdoor seating and expanding green space throughout the historic blocks.

And ladies, the shopping…....... incredibly cute and irresistible.  Since I was on the clock I resisted the urge to meander through the countless adorable stores, but I highly recommend making a Saturday excursion of it.

The City says it will come back to the public in October once they get concret recommendations from an outside form on future growth opportunities, but there is plenty going on until then.

Take a drive and check out the work the City has done so far.  Take a camera, an appetite and your credit card!