Daphne officials discussed details about their state grant for the Bayfront Park pier during a Public Works Committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 5.

Called the Jubilee Recreation and Fishing Pier, the money was awarded in August as part of Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GoMESA). This project is among $52 million in GoMESA funding for more than 20 projects across Coastal Alabama awarded this year.

The new pier will be constructed as part of the wider Bayfront Park project, which broke ground last November and will replace the original pier that was built around 2003. The new pier would be much longer, spanning 1,200 feet compared to the previous one before the Bayfront Park project began, which is around 180 feet in length.

Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune told GCM the pier will be cement constructed and will be similar to the Fairhope Pier just next door in Fairhope in terms of construction and width.

"It all continues to improve our bayfront, bayfront access, people to enjoy the bay and all that," LeJeune said. "With what we've done down there with the amphitheater and really the expansion of Bayfront Park is just incredible. The current pier is dwarfed by the park now so it's something that we know we want to do and continue to improve access for our citizens."

The estimated total cost for the new pier is about $6 million. The GoMESA funding covers $5 million while the city will set aside $1 million to cover the additional costs, which LeJeune said shouldn't exceed more than $1 million.

LeJeune said all that is left is for city council to approve the agreement and authorize the mayor to sign it, which should happen at the next city council meeting. The Bayfront Park project is on schedule to finish in April 2027.