BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
TOP PHOTO: The design and color scheme for a new Dollar General on Main Street will be different from generic stores, to better compliment the “Main Street Concept.”
Two existing Millbrook businesses and a new Dollar General, presented site plans for future buildings Tuesday night to the Millbrook Council.
The new Dollar General will be located at the former site of Millbrook Small Motors on Main Street. Demolition of the old building could begin very soon, a representative said. Two parcels of land make up the 1.32 acres and on it will be a new 10,640 square foot building, which includes an 8,504 square foot sales area. It will be a raised parapet front entrance with awning, shuttered faux windows with awnings along the front. There will be brick banding at the base on front and sides, with decorative gooseneck lighting on the front and north side.
This store is expected to look different from what some would expect from Dollar General stores. That is by design, as the developer met with city officials to come up with a design and color scheme that would be complimentary with Main Street plans and color schemes. The city has a long-term plan to redevelop, and in some cases, create the downtown area.
Councilman Jimmy Harris asked if a the third Dollar General for Millbrook, would impact the other stores. DeAnna Hyche, Development Manager for The Broadway Group, said that the new store falls within protocols which require Dollar General stores to be a certain distance away from a property. She also said there is a very high demand in this area for the store.
Circle K (formerly Entec) is constructing an expanded 5,200 square foot facility on the same ground where the current store now sits. The site is 2.71 acres on Hwy., 14 near I-65. Demolition of the existing convenience store will be done, as well as the car wash. In its place will be the 5,200 square foot facility with tuff block, ledgestone, storefront windows and doors. The existing fuel pumps and will remain with updates and additional fuel pumps.
Work on demolishing the old building could begin next month, and construction of the new facility will begin as weather permits.
The property was annexed into Millbrook city limits last year. A representative said other changes regarding the facility will be to discontinue use of the old septic system, and link in with Millbrook water and sewer now that the property is within city limits.
Family Home Furniture will give up their temporary space for a new building on Grandview Road. The site is .91 acres and an 11,000 square foot freestanding store will be constructed. It will be a raised parapet front entrance with awning, Decoplast front exterior, metal sides and trim.
Business Owner Robert Fales said the construction of the new location has been three years in the making, and he is very excited for the additional showroom space for his customers. He said the building will be very attractive, and he is excited about the future location.
“I just want to thank everyone who worked on these site plans, as well as with the city,” Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley said. “Everyone has been extremely professional and worked with suggestions we made on how the stores would look. It is very much appreciated.”
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
# The Council approved Ordinance A21-03, an annexation request for Laney Property on Alabama Highway 14. In conjunction, they also approved Ordinance Z21-07, a zoning request, for same property.
# The Council approved Resolution 22-01 authorizing Mayor Kelley to enter into an administrative agreement with Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission regarding the RTP Project known as the Mill Creek Recreational Trail, Phase 1. Future plans are to expand the walking trails from Village Green to run along Mill Creek in several different phases.
# The Council approved Resolution 22-02, a Scope change Oder for the New Millbrook Senior Center that is currently nearing completion. The new Center is located on Grandview Road across from the Millbrook Fire Department, Station 1.
# The Council approved Resolution 22-03 establishing a testing budget for The Fields at Seventeen Springs off of Hwy. 14. This refers to soil testing which must be done with new construction.
In speaking of the future of Seventeen Springs, Mayor Kelley said, “The design of Seventeen Springs is way beyond what I ever dreamed it would be. We will have more meetings in the near future, and those will include talking about money. But this complex will be a highlight for Millbrook, and the most used facility of its kind in Central Alabama. It is going to be a huge asset for this city.”
# Council member Hal Hodge reminded everyone that the next Millbrook Cleanup Day will be Feb. 26 from 7 a.m. to Noon at the old Police Station on Grandview Road. Residents can drop off unwanted household garbage, or yard debris, or other items such as mattresses or old furniture. Not accepted is any type of oil or gas, paint, tires or any appliance containing freon. This service is for residents only, and not for commercial construction or landscaping businesses.
The next meeting of the Millbrook City Council will be held Jan. 5 with the work session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular agenda meeting at 6 p.m. Both meetings are open to the public and held in the courtroom of the Municipal Building on Grandview Road.
