Building Opelika’s future by preserving its past

Kelsey Sullivan came to Auburn University to study health administration, but one class set her on course for a career in public service.

Her latest stop is neighboring Opelika, Alabama, where she serves as executive director of Opelika Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the historic downtown district.

It was her junior year when Sullivan took Introduction to Public Administration, and the professor defined the field simply as a means of serving the public.

“I was a lost college student looking for a career that was meaningful to me. I wanted to make a difference in the world,” Sullivan said. “What he said resonated with me, and I never looked back. I knew my dream job was city manager of my hometown, Talladega, Alabama.”

The former Kelsey Gallahar was raised by generations of hard-working Auburn fans, but she was the first in the family to earn a college degree — a bachelor’s in public administration from the College of Liberal Arts in 2016.

She said her father dreamed of coming to the Plains himself, but he had to join the workforce after high school.

“He owns a residential construction company and taught me about stewardship, getting my hands dirty and finding your passion,” Sullivan said.

Staying grounded

Hard work comes naturally for Sullivan, even during setbacks, like being laid off 16 months into her first job.

Devastated but undeterred, Sullivan leaned on her Talladega connections to become assistant to the city manager, Beth Cheeks.

“She taught me how to be a true public servant and lead with grace,” Sullivan recalled.

Cheeks gave Sullivan opportunities to learn and flourish, challenging her with major projects, including executing the city’s three-day Christmas festival and managing efforts to revitalize downtown.

The pair ushered the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Sullivan, with Cheeks’ full support, acquired several professional certifications, including one from Auburn’s Government and Economic Development Institute. She also earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy University.

Cheeks died unexpectedly in November 2020. Three days later, Sullivan, at 26, became interim city manager.

“It was bittersweet,” she recalled. “I lost my mentor and good friend, but I also had the opportunity to achieve my dream job.”

Little did Sullivan know she was destined for a different city.

Still searching

After nearly three years back home, Sullivan began working for a mobile app developer in downtown Opelika.

Less than three months in — “as fate would have it” — she met Tom Sullivan, a 2017 alumnus of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment.

Their first date included dinner at Zazu, the restaurant Kelsey now sees daily from the Opelika Main Street office across 8th Street. Soon after, Tom took a job in Mobile, Alabama. Kelsey would follow, landing a job in public affairs and community service with Mobile County.

Coastal Alabama provided challenges, but also opportunities for Sullivan, like executing the historic opening of Africatown Heritage House, which houses an exhibit on the Clotilda, the nation’s last known slave ship.

But she missed her passion, the work that — figuratively — involved getting her hands dirty.

The couple married last June and eventually followed their hearts back to Auburn, bringing them closer to family and allowing Kelsey, on Jan. 2, to resume her zeal for community development and historic revitalization.

Appropriately, Tom also works at a nonprofit, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, as a resource stewardship biologist.

Passion found

“I fell in love with the City of Opelika when I moved back,” Sullivan said. “I loved seeing all the revitalization efforts and the growth of small businesses. Downtown is so unique and has more potential than we all know.

“And it’s the place where my husband and I met. It’s the start of our story.”

Now in her intended role, Sullivan is prepared to embrace the work and tackle any challenges.

Since its establishment in 1987, Opelika Main Street has led projects like constructing the Courthouse Square, saving the Opelika Depot and launching the Bill Roberts Facade Grant program, which provides funding to downtown businesses for exterior repairs.

To most people, it is best known for annual events, like “On the Tracks” and “Christmas in a Railroad Town.” This year, “Touch-a-Truck” will coincide with “Burger Wars” on May 31.

But as Sullivan said, “we do so much more.” Opelika Main Street leads the city’s downtown revitalization and historic preservation efforts while advocating for small businesses.

“We are rebuilding and reintroducing Opelika Main Street in 2025,” Sullivan said. “I want to make our events more successful and more community-driven. I also intend to bring more opportunities for funding and education to our business community.

“Our goal is to make downtown Opelika a place where businesses, visitors and residents can thrive.”

And with Sullivan at the helm, that future feels closer than ever.