The sound of heavy equipment navigating in a small, vacated parking lot was the background noise to a history-making day in Phenix City.

The results of about 21 months of planning, purchasing, meeting and “making it happen” came clear as daybreak as brick after brick fell from the first of three buildings on the city’s riverfront.  The “old Golden Rule Restaurant” quickly came down.  The Lingo Appliance two-story building and the Salvation Army building will be demolished and cleared within 30 days.  All of the structures are located on 3rd Avenue. It really is going to happen.

Riverfront development is really going to happen.  “This is the first step,” said East Alabama Riverfront Development Chairman Sammy Howard.  “It is exciting to see those bricks start to fall.  Everything has turned out great.  After this, you are going to see a lot of things happen.”

Howard is also a member of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. Clearing what has become known as the “triangle area” of the city’s riverfront property will make way for Troy University and Chattahoochee Valley Community College to build campus facilities, classrooms and provide full programs for the inner city.  Currently, both colleges are “out of space.”

“We are extremely excited about moving down on the riverfront,” said Troy University Vice Chancellor Curtis Pitts.  “Phenix City has been trying to do this for 20 years and this time it is going to happen.  I am excited to be a part of that.”

The plans for the triangle require the removal of several units within the Phenix City Housing Authority.  Director Judy Hare said the next step requires the city to send a “letter of intent” to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to purchase the property, demolish the apartment buildings and use the land for “educational purposes.”  Phenix City Council, on Nov. 15, passed a resolution to send the letter.  It will mean a future investment of about $700,000 for the property and about $300,000 to take down the buildings.

Authority, city and development officials met with Riverview residents last Thursday to explain the demolition on 3rd Avenue and the city’s plans for the future of the Authority properties.  There are 76 units available within the Authority for displaced residents and Hare has advanced plans to provide avenues for residents to apply for housing through various programs.

“We are moving forward, too, “ said Hare.  “We hope to see revitalization all through the city.”  The Authority, right now, is about 85 percent occupied.  The newly constructed apartments within the Riverview complex will be ready for occupation before Christmas, Hare said.  Thirty units are for seniors and 12 are family apartments.

“I though it was important for me to be here to see this,” said Hare.  “Our aim is to begin home-ownership programs and to have our residents get to the point of self-sufficiency.  That is what we are about.  We are going to take care of our residents.  We want to see education here and partner with the colleges.  It is a win-win for everyone.”

“It has been a while comin’” said DRA Chairman J.W. Brannen.  “But now, I think it’s moving pretty good.”