Fairhope first responders and personnel will soon have a safe space to shelter during hurricanes and other emergencies.

During a Monday, June 10, city council meeting, Fairhope City Council voted to accept a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant will cover 90% of the costs for building a safe room, which will serve as a shelter for up to 77 emergency personnel.

"Most of you know the buildings that we have were built before there were a lot of codes related to hurricanes here," Mayor Sherry Sullivan said. "So, being able to have this safe room for our employees will be great for us during hurricane season."

The plans call for a 4,072-square-foot safe room that will protect against severe weather including up to 200-mile-per-hour winds. The facility will be constructed on the city's Pecan Building campus at 451 Pecan Ave.

The project is expected to cost $2.4 million, with the city covering 10% of the total cost. The city's portion of the project is $270,409.67.

The project is already out for architectural service quotes. The safe room could be ready in time for the 2025 hurricane season.