Hold onto your hardhats.
Phenix City and Russell County are moving full
steam ahead.

In the beginning…
It was about 25 years ago when the idea first hit the streets of Phenix City to renew, rebuild and highlight the downtown district. Around the same time, city leaders believed that to take the path to serious development and solid identity, Fifth Avenue would have to be extended to fully connect the growing north portion of town with an historic and progressive center city. Ramps from Hwy. 80 onto that extension were also part and parcel of the vision.

County Commissioners were just beginning to take on more than road management. Paving dirt roads would bring commerce and perhaps industry to acres of prime real estate accessible to U.S. Hwy. 431. Economic development was emerging as a priority. The people, and some are families who have lived here for generations, have been skeptical—but dreams, it seems, do not have a shelf-life.

Today, Russell County and Phenix City have successfully navigated the rite of passage and are advancing toward the aspirations of several administrations into a full-court press toward progress. Dirt is moving, condemned buildings no longer delineate the waterfront and hungry backhoes and bulldozers stand at the ready to clear the way for new construction. Condominiums, commerce, hotels, a campus and recreation projects are just the beginning.

The Domino Theory
The key is the Triangle—the launching project, from which most all dreams will come. The cost: 2,965,000 city dollars, but the transfer of the property to the city and then eventually to Troy University is by all indicators nearly invaluable.

The Riverview Court apartments have been the subject of speculation for decades. Originally built in 1939, the complex has seen nearly constant use. The Phenix City Housing Authority was established by the federal government and the city to facilitate that use and be responsible for upkeep and service to the residents. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is the ultimate authority, officials say, to the disposition of those apartments. In 2007, HUD approved the sale, demolition and purpose for the Triangle. Now, the finite details are signed off and the sweet sounds of diesel-driven de-construction can begin.

Ronnie Gilley Properties has held on through the better than two-year processing.

“They are hanging tight,” said Brannen. “Ronnie Gilley has invested about $1.2 million in the area to date. I have told them it is close.”

The Phenixian project, an 11-story condominium, restaurant and retail complex, is the pivot point. The completion of Phenix City’s riverfront restoration, from 16th to 13th Street and beyond, is determined by the ink on the bottom line of the Triangle. Troy University is “on board” and will receive the acreage necessary to build a campus next to the Phenixian.

“We are ready to go,” said Troy University spokeswoman Kathy Ninas, who sat in on a recent city work session for updates on the deed and transfers.

“It’s a chance that only comes once in a lifetime,” said Troy University-PC President Curtis Pitts when HUD approval for the sale of the Triangle finally came through. “We’ve got to make it happen. I’m going to devote the years I’ve got left to this and hopefully, it’s not going to take very long.”

A major real estate and development firm, Aronov of Montgomery, owns Phenix Plaza on 13th and Broad Streets. Interest is peaked, city sources say, and Aronov is watching downtown redevelopment, very closely. Aronov wants to “complement” the Phenixian. Phenix City is ready to accept the call.

“Knock that domino [the Triangle] over and the whole thing is going to go,” said Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce President Victor Cross.

Meanwhile back on Broad Street…
In spite of “bad dirt,” the streetscapes project, that is the feature presentation of the current Phenix City administration, will be completed…

Now that we’ve reeled you in, catch the rest of this and many other intriguing local stories and columns in the current issue of Columbus and the Valley Magazine. Click here to find a retail outlet near you, or subscribe online so you’ll never miss a word.

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